Aussie media making fun with Guernseys

IAN and Ali Merrien are enjoying themselves at the start of a long stint Down Under.

The married bowls stars are on a three-month tour of duty in Australia as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games and it got underway this week with the qualifying rounds for the Australian Open.

Ali (pictured) and Ian, ranked two and 12 respecvtively by World Bowls Limited after impressive showings in World Cup and Champion of Champions events, were delighted to receive wildcard entries into the main draw for the prestigious singles event.

On Thursday, in temperatures approaching 35C, Ali, who teamed up with Queenslander Yvonne Lovelock and Sydney star Corrine Crouch, narrowly missed qualifying for the women's triples at the Strathfieldsaye club in Victoria.

But she has a chance of getting through in the pairs with Lovelock when she embarks on a gruelling qualifying schedule at the Eaglehawk club, near Bendigo, also in Victoria.

The local papers have been having fun with the name of the Channel Island that the Merriens are proud to represent.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.