With Alison Merrien having already been crowned world bowls champion down under, Ollie Nightingale’s side came through a nervy opener by 12 runs against Sweden and were able then to watch the live streaming of the Muratti Vase and Siam Cup successes to complete a memorable day.
‘It was a great day. We actually managed to watch some of the football on the bus, and then we all crowded into a room and watched the Siam in the evening, so followed quite a lot of it,’ said skipper Nightingale.
‘To have four big wins on the same day is great for the island.’
His side made it back-to-back wins at Happy Valley the following morning with a comprehensive six-wicket win over Malta and they resume their campaign this afternoon against fellow unbeaten side Austria, who currently top the group on net run-rate.
‘The first game was challenging and pretty close, but to get over the line and then win a bit more comfortably [the following day] means we’re two from two and in a fairly good place now,’ Nightingale said.
‘I thought to come back [against Sweden], we did really well and everyone got a good test and run out and it was good to see Ed [Robinson] bowl nicely at the end.
‘And then, obviously [against Malta] we won a bit more comfortably, but we fielded well and probably fielded better than we did on Saturday. So we’re moving in the right direction.
‘Hopefully if we can keep improving, and then if we keep winning, we’ll make the final. Then hopefully by the time we make the final, we’re in good shape.’
After today’s clash with Austria, Guernsey will face face Slovenia in the group stage tomorrow with the table-toppers of both groups progressing to the final.
‘The facilities are different. I guess we’re really lucky at KGV where we play on a decent mat and a rapid outfield and a flat outfield,’ said Nightingale.
‘Over here it’s slightly different, a bit bumpy, the mat’s slightly indifferent, but we’ve adjusted and we are adjusting.
‘So hopefully a couple more run outs and like we say, get through those and then we can make the final.’
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