Banahan's late surge denies bowler Merrien

THE CI Sports Personality of the Year last night had its biggest winner yet - literally. Jersey's Bath and England Sevens rugby star Matt Banahan polled 41% of the vote to stave off the challenge of Guernsey's Alison Merrien, who finished as runner-up. Dale Garland and Elizabeth Cann were the other nominees.

Banahan, 6ft 7in. and about 114kg, admitted that he had enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past seven months and said it had been a 'massive' step from making his Siam Cup try-scoring debut as a 17-year-old lock in 2004 to being talked about as a full England prospect on the wing.

'I have surprised a lot of people and I do get asked how quickly it has spiralled upwards,' he said.

'Hopefully, these steps are going to keep going up.'

Banahan joked that a Siam has 'more passion' than the professional game, but said that it has been a steep learning curve this season after forcing his way into the Bath first team.

'When you play at the top level, your brain has got to be in it. You have got to stay focused from before the game to the final whistle.

'A lot of people have skill and are willing to work hard, but it's the mentality that is the difference in the professional game.'

Guernsey's three-time FIA World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx was not in the running for the top accolade, but he was at Beau Sejour to collect a special award and was named the inaugural Champion of Sport.

He had been flown back to the island yesterday afternoon by event sponsors Sportingbet from testing at Estoril in Portugal.

'I put together one of my best seasons from a driving point of view,' he said.

'I had a strong energy working against me and I managed to overcome it.

'This season I would like to try and enjoy my driving a bit more - take the pressure and thrive on it.

Guernsey was celebrating when Heather Watson was named as the NatWest Rising Star.

The young tennis protege, who is based at the world famous Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida, enjoyed a sensational 2007 as she became the national under-16 champion, despite being at the bottom of the age group. She also reached the semi-final of the under-18s event.

After seeing her win the under-16 title, Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper described her as an 'outstanding prospect'.

Watson flew back to her home island to receive the award.

'It's brilliant to win because I was put up against some really good and tough nominations, for example Alice Loveridge, who is also a national champion,' she said.

'This year the aim is definitely junior Wimbledon, but also the other Grand Slams and to get my ranking higher.'

The Cenkos Coach of the Year prize went to Chris Minty, the driving force behind Jersey cricket who oversaw Caesarean victories in the European Division Two Under-19 and Under-23 Championships last year.

Jersey cricket also won Aurigny Team of the Year.

'We have really made some great strides in the last year,' Minty said.

'I think cricket is the sport to be involved with in both islands.'

The sporting hero was Michael Lucas, the former managing director of Channel Television, a keen sportsman and one-time national triathlon champion in his age group, who died last year after battling cancer.

The award has been renamed after him.