At the end of the fifth day of action the Sarnians had five more golds than Jersey and the Island squad need a really productive last two days to top their oldest rivals.
But it has been a superb effort from the whole Jersey team – the smallest and probably least experienced squad to represent them at a Games in some time.
Yesterday’s highlights for Jersey included golds in the gym and the pool and on the squash court, and there were some titanic efforts which were rewarded by silver and bronze.
Indeed, few medals will have been harder earned than the road race bronzes won by the men’s and ladies’ cycling teams.
Veteran gymnast Ben Frith got the medal ball rolling again by claiming his third gold of the Games on the pommell.
On the squash court – the first time the sport has been included in the Island Games – Jersey got its second gold and also picked up a silver.
Ronnie Jubb beat Guernsey’s Alison Strobridge in the women’s singles final and so far hasn’t dropped a set.
She won gold earlier in the week as part of the squad which won the team event.
Michael Hopkins earned a silver after losing to Guernsey’s Chris Simpson (18) in the final in straight games, but he will be remembered for a tremendous fightback against men’s number one seed Nicholas Kyme of Bermuda.
After going two games down in the semi, Hopkins won the next three to take the match.
But the 2 1/2 hour match zapped his energy as he lined up for the final just a few hours later.
Jersey’s swimmers also had another super night in the pool, with another three Island Games records being set and three golds, two silvers and four bronzes added to the tally.
Star of the night was again 18-year-old Simon Le Couilliard, who for the third successive night took two golds and set records in the 50m butterfly and 100m medley relay.
Commonwealth swimmer Alexis Militis (23) broke his own 2001 100m freestyle record and was also part of the relay team, while Sarah-Jane Smith took two silvers on the night in the 100m breast-stroke and as part of the women’s 100m freestyle relay.
The ladies’ volleyball team’s impressive run came to an end in the semi-final against the semi-professional Faroes, but the girls were by no means outclassed, eventually losing 25-10, 25-17, 15-16 in a thrilling match that was broadcast live in the Faroes.
