This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

YESTERDAY’S team event proved a tough lesson for the inexperienced Guernsey judo side. The Sarnians crashed out in the first round to Aland before losing to Isle of Man in the plate competition.

But there was a bright note as the only woman, Sarah Martel, picked up a surprise bronze in the round-robin competition in the women’s half-lightweight.

The 30-year-old beauty therapist won her first bout against Rhodes’ Mihalitsa-Georgia Pilatou with a hold.

But she lost to Katlin Lukis, of Saaremaa, and then to Marietta Philippakou, from Rhodes.

Martel had been fighting in pain.

‘She popped my jaw in the first one. I dislocated my jaw though it popped back in. But in the second, she rapped it.

‘The second and third were good fights. I think I did my best on the day and that’s all anyone can ask.’

On Sunday, their coach, former Italian national player Roberto Mascherucci, picked up gold in the men’s lightweight category.

The other team members, Ben Chapple, Nigel Dorey, Colin Samson, Alex Mann and Martel, have little or no competitive experience.

‘I would take the same guys, if they are still following me, to the next Island Games,’ said Mascherucci.

‘As I’ve said all along, we lack the experience. We all know that, but the fact they’ve come here shows that they’ve got guts. I knew what I was getting into, but they didn’t.

‘I’m pleased that judo is in the Games and I make a promise that in Aland in 2009 there will be a lot more medals.’

Both Mascherucci and Dorey were given walkovers against Aland, but these were the Sarnians’ only victories as Chapple, Samson and Mann all went down.

Against the Isle of Man, 17-year-old Mann got the Sarnians off to a flier as he executed a one-arm shoulder throw on Alex Turner for ippon.

‘That’s our main throw. I’ve spent about 10 months of training on that,’ joked Mann.

‘I’m very, very pleased. I wanted to win at least one fight.

‘It’s proved to me that I can win some fights and I’m going to go back and do lots of competitions and gradings to get experience for next time.’

Dorey was caught by Keirron Tastagh after a struggle. Mascherucci then showed what class he has when he had few problems disposing of Adam Horne.

This was followed by Chapple with a match-winning ippon move on Chris Horton.

‘I controlled most of the fight,’ said Chapple.

‘He was never in control of his grips and I just took one of the opportunities he gave me. I’m very pleased with that.’

Samson then suffered defeat at the hands of Floyd Askin, who had won individual silver the day before. Samson was thrown within 10 seconds.

‘Colin’s opponents from both islands were awesome fighters,’ said Chapple. ‘I think he’s disappointed that he didn’t do better, but you can’t be expected to win them all.’