Bowls rivalries set to resume

The best of Jersey and Guernsey square up at the Jersey Indoor Bowling Centre this weekend Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (34798346)

RIVALRIES are renewed this weekend as the first Jersey-Guernsey showdown of 2023 takes place at Grainville.

The British Isles Championships’ CI finals pit together the respective indoor champions from both Islands, across various categories, for the right to represent the Channel Islands against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Alan Shaw, the secretary of the Jersey Indoor Bowling Association, is expecting all the matches to be ‘close fought.’

‘There are some brilliant players on both sides,’ he said. ‘Looking at the match-ups, I really can’t see many that are easy to call.

‘Guernsey’s Ali Merrien is involved in four out of five of the ladies’ matches and her pedigree speaks for itself.

‘She’s facing Lindsey Greechan in the singles and has been in fine form, so that should be a great contest to watch.’

On the men’s singles side, Jersey champion Michael Rive will face another Merrien, in the shape of Ali’s husband Ian.

Rive secured the Jersey crown last month, with victory over Malcolm De Sousa.

Despite what is at stake Shaw expects the weekend to be played in great spirits.

‘There is no doubt that everyone desperately wants to win their match,’ he added. ‘It is a great opportunity to represent the Channel Islands in the British Isles finals.

‘But there is a lot of mutual respect between the players and typically the matches are played in great spirits. Both Islands need this rivalry and to see so many matches that should be tight is exactly what the sport needs.’

Play gets underway from Jersey Indoor Bowling Centre at 10am on Saturday.

2023 CI indoor finals

Men’s Singles: Ian Merrien v Michael RiveMen’s U25 Singles: Bradley Le Noury v Tyler Le MoineMen’s Pairs: Ian Merrien/Tom Bonsall v Michael Rive/Scott RuderhamMen’s Triples: Gary Pitschou, Mike Le Noury and Steve Le Noury v Ross Davis, Michael Rive and Maurice AndrieuxMen’s Fours: Ben Harvey, Dave King, Dave Jeffrey and Steve Le Noury v Cyril Renouf, Alan Shaw, Derek Boswell and David AhierMen’s Veteran Fours: Dave King, Mick Hullock, Keith De La Mare and Mike Le Noury v Angus McKinnon, Alex Stewart, Roddy MacDonald and Roger SmithLadies Singles: Ali Merrien v Lindsey GreechanLadies U25 Singles: Nicole Le Noury v Chloe GreechanLadies Pairs: Ali Merrien/Shirley Petit v Chloe Greechan and Megan KivlinLadies Triples: Ali Merrien, Shirley Petit and Catherine Snell vs Lindsey Greechan, Chloe Greechan and Megan KivlinLadies Fours: Ali Merrien, Shirley Petit, Rose Ogier and Catherine v Fiona Archibald, Carolyn Stanley, Diane Canavan and Suzanne Job

Schedule

Sat (10am): Men’s Triples & Ladies TriplesSat (2pm): Ladies Fours & Men’s FoursSun (9am): Men’s Pairs, Ladies Pairs, Men’s Veteran FoursSun (1pm): Men’s Singles, Ladies Singles, Ladies U25 Singles, Men’s U25 Singles

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