While the title holder was relieved to claim family bragging rights, dad Mick was introduced to a brand new experience on Monday at L’Ancresse as he admitted that he came up against an opponent he really didn’t mind losing to.
However, he made sure his son had to work hard for his win in the only encounter of the evening to go the full distance, with Marley senior just one over par for his round.
He even took the lead in the first round lead-off match, but father and son were level by the time they reached the par-five sixth where Lewis made an eagle to edge ahead and he would not relinquish the lead, though he was kept honest throughout.
The champion was 2 up by the time they reached the long 14th where his dad had to hit a provisional at one stage having gone close to the gorse, but he found his original ball and went on to win the hole by draining a 15ft putt.
From there on in, they matched each other shot for shot, both birdieing the 16th and Mick coming within a whisker of back-to-back threes on 17 despite flirting with the out-of-bounds with his drive.
With the honour on the last, Mick found the back edge of the green with the pin on the left before Lewis safely found the middle of the putting surface.
Mick had the line of his long birdie putt spot on, but the moisture on the surface from the rain saw it pull up short and Lewis lagged his reply up to hole side to clinch victory.
He will now face CJ Elmy, who was a comfortable winner over Wayne Harwood on a night of early finishes.
Jayden Tucknott played well to see off Siam Cup man-of-the-match Dale Rutledge in 12 holes to book a meeting with Ave Thompson while Andy Eggo needed one less hole to overcome Dave Sherriffs and he will now face Island captain Dave Jeffery who beat Arthur Evans.
Andy Orme’s reward for his win over James Troop is a clash with fourth seed Danny Blondel, who saw off Sam Le Huray.
Island Men’s Championship
First round, top half results:
L Marley beat M Marley 1 up; CJ Elmy beat W Harwood 5 & 3; J Tucknott beat D Rutledge 8 & 6; A Thompson beat S Wallbridge w/o; D Jeffery beat A Evans 6 & 4; A Eggo beat D Sherriffs 8 & 7; A Orme beat J Troop 5 & 4; D Blondel beat S Le Huray 3 & 2.
Tuesday's first round, bottom half matches from 4.15pm
R McKenna v A Mills; L O’Brien v D Griggs; C Bowen v T Le Huray; R Mills v D Bisson; J Mitchell v H Carre; J Nicolle v D Robinson; G Carre v H Bushby; A Northgrave v J Blondel.
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