Guernsey lead the way
GUERNSEY’S county badminton players came out in full force last weekend to secure their place at the top of Division Four South.
While there is much to prove this season after narrowly missing promotion in a final weekend disappointment last time around, the team made an excellent start to their 2019 campaign with two big wins in Salisbury.
Guernsey were able to field a strong side even after leaving at home some big names such as Ove Svejstrup and island singles finalists Matt Haynes and Chris Girauld, testament to the island’s strength in depth in this format.
First up they beat Avon Six 10-1 and then overcame the Isle of Wight 9-2.
These results came as a pleasant surprise for the weekend’s captain, Jamie Fairclough.
‘I think individually we will want to improve in areas, but you can’t argue with an overall return of 19 wins in two matches,’ he added.
‘I think the team will only get stronger as training increases again towards the Island Games, and there are a number of difficult decisions to make along the way with that in mind, so it’s healthy competition we have for places now.’
Guernsey currently top the standings with 19 points and will return to the UK in March, when a crucial match against Hampshire Three – two points in arrears – may decide their promotion hopes.
More in Thursday's Guernsey Press.
