The Isle of Man are just one behind as the competition hots up on several fronts – on the track and in the pool in particular.Jersey plundered five golds in a night of high drama at Beau Séjour pool and the Footes Lane athletics stadium.Jo McGarry won the ladies’ 10,000m, snatching gold from Guernsey’s Penny Buckingham, and Claire Lidster retained her Games 100m hurdles title with a great return to top form.Perhaps it was no surprise to see swimmer Natalie Brée’s name next to the gold standard again, given her immense exploits two years ago, but it was welcome all the same as Guernsey piled on the pressure in the pool.
Damien Boucheré and the ladies’ 50m freestyle relay squad of Brée, Ashley, Cope, Abigail Faudemer and Eloise Le Cornu were Jersey’s other gold winners.It was the shooters who gave Jersey the first of their six golds yesterday, however, with veteran Cliff Mallett jnr (63) and 20-year-old Peter Stock combining to win the pairs full-bore Queens II competition.In all, Jersey won 19 medals yesterday to make their score nine golds, seven silvers and ten bronzes.Whether Jersey’s generally young squad can maintain their push throughout the week remains to be seen, but they can take great comfort in the effort of all as they continue to make good progress in the majority of the 15 sports on offer.Both Jersey’s men’s and ladies’ football teams moved nearer honours by qualifying early for the medal play-offs with convincing victories.
