Gold and two silvers for Sarnian bowlers

BOWLS Guernsey chief executive Garry Collins wore a broad smile in Belfast after his island team had achieved a best-ever performance in the British Isles men's outdoor championships.

'Not only did we strike gold in the triples, but we had two runners-up medals, and finished second in the team event behind Wales, but ahead of Scotland, England and Ireland,' said Collins.

'That's the highest either of the Channel Islands has ever finished in the NatWest where points are awarded for performance in the British Isles individual championships,' he added proudly.

Following the success on Friday of Guernsey trio Dave Lucas, Len Le Ber and Gary Pitschou, who won the triples, and Matt Le Ber, who was runner up in the singles, a Guernsey quartet had to settle for silver in the fours.

This time Collins was more than a passionate observer from the sidelines and played his heart out at lead for Guernsey, who were unlucky to lose by two shots in the final.

'We could easily have won that game,' said Collins, after Wales had got home 17-15.