Cherry and Merrien pull off a big shock

BOB CHERRY and Stephen Merrien were the shock winners of the round in the Travers Pairs.

Playing on their home Beau Sejour green, the Guernsey Bowling Club duo beat the very experienced pair of Gary Pitschou and Len Le Ber.

Cherry and Merrien's consistent drawing to the jack was a feature in their terrific 26-22 victory.

Steve Machon and Phil Schofield beat Northerners Derek Barlow and Trevor Savident.

From being 1-5 down at four ends, the GBC pair settled down to dominate the rest of the match and return a 23-11 card.

North pair Charlie Browning and John Martel successfully reversed their order of play and were always ahead to beat Vale's Stan Simon and Mick Yabsley 22-10.

The experienced GBC pair of Paul Sargeant and Geoff Savident were always in control of their game against Mick Hullock and Alan Gibson, which finished 20-11.

Played on the Delancey Park green, Craig Dorey and Will Ceillam may be the dark horses in this year's competition.