Sarnian pair and triple end on a high

WHAT a way to finish. Guernsey's bowlers, who have had a tough time of it down under, salvaged a modicum of pride in Christchurch yesterday when they chalked up wins over Wales in the pairs and Scotland in the triples.

Mac Timms and Ian Merrien, who had a bye in the 10th round, were pleased to complete their group programme after lunch with a 14-13 win over the Atlantic pairs champions, Martin Selway and Robert Horgan.

Nigel and Garry Collins and skip Gary Pitschou claimed a similar single-shot victory over Scotland, for whom the legendary Willie Wood is taking part in his ninth world championships, which are played only once every four years.

The Guernsey trio, aware that they were playing a hotly-tipped combination, stuck to their guns and returned an 18-17 card.

The Guernsey pair finished the group stage in equal ninth place, while the triple were equal seventh in their section.

Things had started to improve for Guernsey on Tuesday.

The Sarnian triple registered two wins, beating Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands 18-14 and 24-14 respectively.

Timms and Merrien were not so successful, going down in both their matches, 20-10 to Israel and 24-11 to South Africa, and were level with the Cook Islands at the bottom of the group.

Following the knockout stage for pairs and triples which will unfold over the next two days, the five-man teams will regroup for singles and fours.

Pitschou carries the island's hopes in the singles, while Timms, the two Collinses and Merrien line up in the fours.