High-class opposition bring best out of Guernsey squad

That is how Guernsey men’s coach Neil Elmy referred to a three-match series against an imposing Army side, which was otherwise notable for being the first sporting event in Sir John Loveridge Hall since it was repurposed as the Community Vaccination Centre in late 2020.

Guernsey Volleyball chairman Dave Bartram, as well as coach Elmy, praised the home performance in what was unsurprisingly a losing battle.

Both teams took the opportunity to rotate players on the Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Army beat Guernsey 3-0, building up to a Thursday finale where the hosts pinched a set before going down 3-1.

‘It probably went as expected,’ Bartram said.

‘You have got to remember the Army has 88,000 physically fit people and we have got how many adults in Guernsey?

‘The odds were stacked against us, even though Guernsey punches above its weight.

‘It was always going to be a big ask to win a match, but you look at these things as preparation – you play better teams in order to get better.’

The British Army team rarely play together, with members being based in numerous different locations through the year, but are clearly a force to be reckoned with.

The overall results went firmly in the Army’s favour but many sets came down to just a handful of points.

The occasion was made even grander by the turnout of a real guest of honour, Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell, ahead of the final match in a visit organised by the Guernsey Sports Commission.

Bartram reported jubilantly that he watched all four sets with interest and was ‘well and truly cheering for Guernsey, not the Army’.

Meanwhile, coach Elmy claimed his men ‘played out their skins’ and exceeded the Army’s expectations.

‘They were not looking at losing any games, especially when the Lt-Governor turned up, so for us to take a set off of them was very good,’ Elmy said.

‘We were very lucky to have them over here.

‘It is the best volleyball that has been seen in Guernsey for nearly 20 years.’

Bartram added of an event that attracted healthy crowd to the gallery above: ‘It was good to show off Beau Sejour as a place where we have three volleyball courts.

‘They want to come back and they know Guernsey have such great facilities now.’