Steven Anderson reports…
Golf is nothing if unpredictable. A game defined by its ebbs and flows, its soaring highs and crushing lows.
For Jersey’s men, last weekend brought every emotion the sport has to offer.
A comprehensive 5-0 victory in the opening foursomes session laid the foundation for what looked like yet another home triumph at a venue where they had never previously tasted defeat.
Guernsey managed to chip away in the afternoon fourballs, taking the session 3-2, but with a 7-3 lead entering Sunday’s singles, the hosts would have been confident.
However, in a fixture steeped in rich history, every player will tell you — nothing is ever a given against your bitter rivals from across the pond.
And so it proved again. An inspired 7-3 fightback in the singles from those in green snatched a 10-10 draw, enough for Guernsey to retain the trophy after their 2024 win at L’Ancresse.
For Jersey, it will sting for a while. For the second year running, they watched a healthy lead slip away as Guernsey clawed themselves back to glory.
Jersey Captain, Chris Young
“Let’s give credit where credit’s due,” said Jersey captain Chris Young. “Guernsey came back against us hard again this year.
“We knew that would be the case starting the singles. We were fully up for the challenge, but ultimately Guernsey played brilliantly today.
“Golf can be like that at times, and the momentum was with them in the singles. They made it count across the board.
“But we have to look at the positives, because there were many. Jacob [Townsend], at just 14 years old, was absolutely brilliant. To earn 2.5 points out of 3 in your first Inter-Insular is incredible, and he proved he fully deserves his place in this elite squad.
“Hugo [Jacques] also did brilliantly, coming back into the team and earning 2.5 points. Those are the positives we need to take from the weekend.”
Needing just 3.5 points from the 10 on offer, the early signs were still encouraging despite Guernsey’s quick start.
14-year-old Townsend, who had already earned a win and a halve on Saturday alongside the experienced Matthew Parkman, looked unflustered as he produced another mature display on Sunday. The Royal Jersey junior coasted to a 4&3 win over one of Guernsey’s finest, Jamie Blondel.
“I was nervous for the first two or three holes, but once those were out the way, I felt confident and played well,” said the teenager.
“I got into a good rhythm and holed some great putts. From there, I just needed to stay solid, and I did that.
“Making this team was obviously my long-term goal, but I didn’t think I’d be playing at this age. It was a great experience — though we’re obviously gutted not to win overall.”
First man up, Richard Ramskill, also delivered. He made it three wins from three on the weekend with an assured 4&3 victory over Guernsey Island champion Lewis Marley.
At that stage, Jersey were just 1.5 points away from the line. Yet tension hung heavy in the gloomy Grouville air.
The sea of red across the leaderboard on Saturday turned steadily green on Sunday. Guernsey had their tails up.
Rory McKenna defeated Charlie Kiberd 2&1, while Danny Blondel got the better of Jeremy Phillips 3&2. The momentum kept rolling as Tom Le Huray beat Josh Ozard 4&3 and Daniel Bisson saw off Parkman 3&2.
Finally, Jersey found some resistance. On his return to the side, Jacques delivered a vital 2&1 win over Dale Rutledge.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to be involved,” he said. “When you get to represent your island in a game you’ve played your whole life, it’s a privilege and something you should take seriously.
“Personally, it was a good weekend in terms of points, but ultimately it’s about winning — and we weren’t able to get over the line. Guernsey deserve a lot of credit, because on the day they were by far the best team.”
Still needing just half a point, Jersey’s hopes rested on the final matches.
The battle between Alex Guelpa and Jack Mitchell epitomised the pressure, the pair halving the 13th in birdies after both slotting from long range. But when it mattered most, Mitchell seized control, taking 14 and 15 to close out a 2&1 win.
Guernsey’s surge continued as Stuart Walbridge took care of Simon Allchin on 17, leaving the Sarnians one win away from retention.
The final Jersey hope lay with Andy Clarke. Three down with three to play, he fought bravely, winning 16 and 17 to force the match up the last. But under a wall of Guernsey noise, he was beaten by Dave Jeffrey, sealing a remarkable comeback for the visitors at a venue with precious few memorable moments for the greens in years gone by.
Jersey 10-10 Guernsey (Jersey named first)
Foursomes
(1up) Phillips / Allchin vs McKenna / Marley
(3&2) Kiberd / Ozard vs Bisson / D Blondel
(2&1) Guelpa / Jacques vs Jeffrey / Rutledge
(5&3) Parkman / Townsend vs Wallbridge / Mitchell
(2&1) Ramskill / Clarke vs J Blondel / Le Huray
Jersey 5-0 Guernsey
Fourballs
Kiberd / Ozard vs Mckenna / Marley (1up)
(5&4) Phillips / Ramskill vs Wallbridge / Mitchell
(A/S) Jacques / Allchin vs Jeffrey / Rutledge (A/S)
(A/S) Parkman / Townsend vs Bisson / J Blondel (A/S)
Guelpa / Clarke vs J Blondel / Le Huray (3&2)
Jersey 2-3 Guernsey
Singles
(4&3) Ramskill vs Marley
Kiberd vs McKenna (2&1)
Phillips vs D Blondel (3&2)
(4&3) Townsend vs J Blondel
Ozard vs Le Huray (4&3)
Parkman vs Bisson (3&2)
(2&1) Jacques vs Rutledge
Guelpa vs Mitchell (2&1)
Clarke vs Jeffrey (2up)
Allchin vs Wallbridge (2&1)
Jersey 3-7 Guernsey
Jersey: Simon Allchin, Andy Clarke, Alex Guelpa, Hugo Jacques, Charlie Kiberd, Josh Ozard, Matthew Parkman, Jeremy Phillips, Richard Ramskill, Jacob Townsend.
Guernsey: Danny Bisson, Danny Blondel, Jamie Blondel, Dave Jeffrey, Tom Le Huray, Lewis Marley, Rory McKenna, Jack Mitchell, Dale Rutledge, Stuart Wallbridge
