Armstrong’s big steps into folklore
THERE are some fine sights in domestic sport but, I would argue, none better these days than seeing Anthony Armstrong striding expansively towards the try-line and swallow diving over for another Raiders score.
The big man has been doing it a while now and if you have yet to take up the opportunity to watch the Raiders winger/full-back in action, you have missed out on many a treat, I can tell you.
Armstrong burst through to score again as Raiders made their return to Footes Lane last week.
It was not one of AA’s halfway line specials, which is when you get full value of this graceful powerhouse’s sprinting capabilities, but a joy to see nevertheless.
At circa 6ft 5in. the elder Armstrong brother has already done enough in his Raiders career to mark him up as an automatic pick in any Guernsey all-time XV, but as he gets physically stronger and broader we are seeing a more rounded player who adds both a cutting edge and solid defensive last-resort of high class.
Football’s equivalent would be Ross Allen on a trademark slalom run.
In hockey, veteran Andy Whalley may have lost some of his zip but the class of his stick-work remains a joy to behold.
You could say the same about golfer Danny Blondel.
It is a swing to metaphorically kill for.
But if there is one local sportsman who, on a warm summer’s day, stokes my sporting stimulus more than any other it is the cricketer Matt Stokes – or should I say, the batsman that is Matt Stokes.
It is his combination of technique, style, precision and visible focus that wins me over time and again.
IT SEEMS that there will be inter-island Jeremie and Wheway Cup football this season, but the JFA and GFA are in no hurry to make draws for the latter stages.
‘I have yet to speak to Guernsey but any games arranged we would try and fit in with boat timetables or when flights are more frequent,’ reported JFA Combination fixtures secretary Steve Landick.
