Collins justifies ducking duties

TODAY in the fair city of Dublin Guernsey bowlers will line up in two British finals and could make it to a third if the island's four get through their morning semi-final.

But first. Garry Collins has a confession to make.

After attending a States of Deliberation meeting on Wednesday, he hopped on a plane to the Republic of Ireland, arriving in Dublin in the early hours yesterday in order join his team-mates in the British Isles men's fours championship.

'Two years ago, I missed the big meeting to attend the championships in Scotland, where we were runners up, and it became a bit of an issue when I got home,' explained Collins yesterday, after helping Len Le Ber, Gary Pitschou and Matt Le Ber to a 20-17 quarter final win over Wales.

'I told the guys I could not join them this year, but they couldn't find anyone to replace me, and our first game wasn't until Thursday, so I attended the crunch meeting on Wednesday, but missed the subsequent meetings the next two days.'