'Open' field as Guernsey's Games bowls team named

Guernsey’s indoor bowls selectors have unveiled their teams for this summer’s home Games and since it is the first edition to feature the discipline since Shetland 2005, the majority of the 10 competitors are debuting.

Merrien makes her return as the 2005 women’s singles champion, but she will face very different opposition this year – as the sport will adopt an open format with both genders facing each other, due reportedly to entry numbers.

She goes into battle in the open singles alongside husband Ian Merrien.

Ali has won the Guernsey women’s singles title no fewer than 20 times and with her many world and international achievements will be a formidable opponent for any player.

But Ian, who is also returning from Shetland 2005, is no slouch in the international achievements and experience department. He has represented Guernsey at British Isles, Commonwealth Games and world level.

The open pairs see experience in representatives Shirley Petit, who has top quality British Isles experience and has won pairs, triples and the fours titles, teaming up with Rose Ogier, who has picked up gold at the European Championships as well as Atlantic rim.

Petit is also returning from the 2005 Games – a prospect she is excited about.

‘It’s always an honour and privilege to be able to represent Guernsey and I’m really looking forward to the challenge in this year’s home Island Games,’ she said.

Also trying to win some bling in the open pairs are young guns Bradley Le Noury and Josh Bonsall.

Bonsall is the indoor bowls co-ordinator for the Games as well as holder of many Guernsey titles and great international experience of the bigger events.

When asked how he would cope playing under the pressure of also organising the event, he said: ‘I have a great team of volunteers around me and am fully supported by the Guernsey Island Games Association.

‘It’ll be a busy couple of months in the run-up to the Games, balancing a training schedule and final organising, but I’m confident that we’ve planned and prepared as best we can for the return of indoor bowls to the Island Games.’

In the triples, Alison Merrien and Petit team up with recent British Isles ally Catherine Snell, who has international experience at both senior and under-25 events.

A men’s trio of Steve Le Noury, Michael Le Noury and Dave King, all experienced British Isles players, make up the very strong home challenge.

Guernsey team

Open singles: Alison Merrien, Ian Merrien

Open pairs: Shirley Petit and Rose Ogier; Bradley Le Noury and Josh Bonsall

Open triples: Alison Merrien, Shirley Petit, and Catherine Snell; Steve Le Noury, Michael Le Noury, and Dave King