Married Merriens on song on different sides of the world

WHILE Guernsey's men are making a fresh start in New Zealand, Sarnian ace Alison Merrien has made an upbeat start to her challenge for the WBT world women's matchplay title in Norfolk. Arriving at Potters Leisure Resort late on Friday, Merrien took to the green without a great deal of time to roll up properly on the portable rink, but found her touch quickly and dispatched former British outdoor singles champion Karen Dawson, 11-4, 9-5.

If she can get the better of Stavrou, she will set up an intriguing clash with reigning British champion Carol Ashby, who put her out of the 2007 British Isles championships in Belfast, or 18-year-old Aussie, Georgia White.

'I know the boys were looking forward to regrouping down under and challenging for the singles and fours,' Merrien said.

Merrien's husband, Ian Merrien, will skip the Guernsey four in 11 round robin games and on day one they performed brilliantly to hold England to a 14-14 draw.

Earlier, the Guernsey four were unlucky to lose by the narrowest of margins in their opening match, Israel beating them, 17-16.

Meanwhile Gary Pitschou made a great start to his singles campaign, beating Jersey's Jamie MacDonald 21-13 in his opening match, before adding wins over the Fijian Ratish Lal, (21-15) and Thailand's Surasaek Phonghanyudh (21-6) to top section two.