Champions start their title defence

VALE REC provide all seven local bowlers who carry Guernsey's hopes at the forthcoming British Isles Men's Championships in Belfast.

The seven - Matt Le Ber, Dan de la Mare, Len Le Ber, Dave Lucas, Gary Pitschou, Wes Baker and Garry Collins - travel to Northern Ireland towards the end of the month having won either the singles, pairs, triples or fours island championships last September.

Before then, the Belfast-bound begin the defence of their domestic titles and in the opening round of this year's various championships there were some thrilling ties.

While Matt Le Ber, the defending Elliott Singles men's champion, was drawn a bye, Pitschou, a perennial challenger for the singles crown, came through his opening game comfortably against Craig Dorey 22-10.

Nigel Collins, last year's beaten finalist, beat Don Ogier 21-14, while 2007 island champion Don Batiste picked up four shots on the last two ends to beat Garry Collins 21-19.

Alan Gibson, who almost beat Alison Merrien last week in the Open Press Singles, is also through after beating Mick Merrien 21-19.