This Is Guernsey

By Rob Batiste

IT WAS not an easy decision. Comparing achievements across sports seldom is. We have had perfection from the likes of shooter Peter Jory and tenpin bowler Martin de la Haye.

Also, island record performances from Dale Garland, Lee Merrien and Anne Bowditch to consider.

Then were the examples of pure class and rare excellence, which we saw from table tennis prospect Alice Loveridge, cue man Martyn Desperques and darts star Jason Allez.

But, ultimately, the sports team’s Guernsey Press Sporting Achievement of the Year for the best single performance on local soil was awarded on the grounds that it will simply probably never be repeated.

To amass a century break is one thing, but to do it in back-to-back competitive frames, which Adam Shorto did in late October, is remarkable. ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O’Sullivan would be proud of that.

The 26-year-old former island champion achieved the feat in an individual league game against a bemused Tom Brock, who won the opening frame but then sat back and watched the left-hander take the second frame with a 103 and the third with a 101.

‘It’s something that won’t come along very often,’ said Shorto, with a large slice of understatement.

‘Any professional would be happy with back-to-back centuries,’ said our winner.

‘I have never played better over two frames and I’m very proud to create some history.

‘It came as a bit of surprise. The first frame was pretty poor and gave me a bit of a kick up the backside. In the second I hit 103 and missed the black for a 110.

‘The most pleasing thing was that when I have made a century in the past, you concentrate so hard and ease off a bit when you have done it. To go and make another in the frame straight after was really pleasing.

‘I was on for a big one and had another red on the table so was on for a 143.’

The previous holder of the trophy was World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx, who we nominate as the winner of the outstanding performer of 2007.

His third straight world championship success cements his status as the Channel Islands’ outstanding modern-day sportsman and wherever he goes on the international racing circuit he does so flying the Guernsey flag.

A better, more impressive ambassador of local sport, is difficult to imagine.

The man is class behind the wheel and in the extended world of motor racing few drivers have a more impressive reputation, hence invites to events such as the Race of Champions at Wembley.

Inevitably, the winning run has to end some time but whether he takes another WTCC chequered flag or not in 2008 and beyond, it matters not. He has created his own spot in the pantheon of Guernsey sports history.