All through the game both players were at the peak of their form, but Greechan emerged with the narrowest of victories, going on to add three others – in the open pairs, mixed pairs and open fours.Of the other games, special mention should be made of the under-18 singles, where 16-year-old Jamie MacDonald notched up a great win against Daniel de la Mare, who last year was runner-up in the British Isles’ junior championship.The game was level at 12-12 after 19 ends before MacDonald forged ahead and won 21-12.Because of transport problems, no Guernsey ladies’ team travelled, and even the men’s team, who were supposed to be enjoying just a day trip out, were told they would have to stay the night.
They did so – but had to endure defeat by nine shots to a Jersey team which included three new caps in Scott Ruderham (15), Michael Cochrane and Lambert Carré.For Lindsey Greechan, however, all that mattered was the rub of the green – and she was in tremendous form as she won first the under-35s title and then the mixed pairs, in tandem with father Peter Le Long.
Although this game was against the strong Guernsey pairing of Alison and Ian Merrien the father-daughter combination produced some high-quality bowling as they took the trophy 23 shots to 7.The family affair continued as Lindsey then skipped her mother Gina and father, together with Gus Hodgetts, to a win in the open fours.The quartet took an early lead and held on to it in fine style to emerge winners 24-11.The next win saw a different family affair as, in the open pairs competition, Lindsey teamed up with husband Thomas.
They were up against Alison Merrien and her brother-in-law Paul, an experienced pairing, but with Lindsey playing lead they produced some accurate shots to win 19-10; a single victory only for her husband but a full house of wins for his wife.In the men’s competition, however, Thomas Greechan played a lead role as he, John Lowery, John Rowcliffe and Alec Stewart took an early lead but were pegged back to just 11-10 after ten ends.
Despite a strong comeback by Guernsey, Greechan then held on to win his rink 23-20.Dickie Allen, Lambert Carré, Brian Cabot and Chris Andrews then held their Guernsey opponents to a 17-17 draw.
Frank Hambly, Brian Bisson, John Hafey and Jamie MacDonald played 26 ends and won their game 21-12, and then Gus Hodgetts, Peter Le Long, Roddy MacDonald and Michael Cochrane found themselves trailing 1-17 before making some kind of recovery, finally losing 27-15.Another struggling Jersey quartet, skipped by Gus McKinnon with Alan Shaw, Will Waymouth and Scott Ruderham took the game after trailing 6-15 after 13 ends, fighting back in determined style to win 24-17.
Allan Quémard, Kevin Le Long, Derek Boswell and Darren Clark also had a close game all the way, but emerged winners 18-16, and the men’s inter-insular title was in Jersey’s safe hands yet again.Meanwhile, Jersey’s Ty Thomas was not so fortunate in the Over-60s singles against Guernsey’s Ray Deaking, losing 7-21, while Yvonne and Chris Andrews played a fine game against Guernsey’s Carole and Paul Ingrouille for the married pairs title.This game was nip and tuck all the way, 7-7 after nine ends, 11-11 after 16 ends and 12-12 after 18.
Guernsey then collected a three and a one, Jersey could only manage to score one more shot, so the visitors took the title 16-13.Gus McKinnon, Derek Boswell and Ken Swanton trailed in the open triples by 4-12 after ten ends against Guernsey’s Paul Ingrouille, Carole Ingrouille and Jan Lawrence.
Skip Paul Ingrouille, in superb form, prevented the Jersey trio from scoring on many of these ends and eventually the Guernsey trio won 11-14.
