This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

Guernsey’s Mick Le Gallic on his way to winning the opening match against Jersey’s Phil Speak. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0574153)

THE honours were shared at Saturday’s night darts test under the tent.

The atmosphere was electric in the specially erected marquee at the KGV where a packed house saw the Guernsey women regain their trophy before the main fare of the night. Sadly, the Sarnian men could not quite match the women’s performance and went down 5-4 to their Jersey counterparts.

‘All in all it was a good game,’ said new Guernsey men’s captain Rob Davidson. ‘There were a couple of cracking matches, but basically nerves and adrenaline take over. It’s difficult when you get the green shirt on because you’re not just playing for yourself.

‘There’s a lot of pressure because a lot of other people want you to do well. We played well, but they were better.

‘It could have gone 5-4 either way. We are both good teams.’

Guernsey’s Mick Le Gallic was first in action against Phil Speak and the former Sarnian captain was like a man possessed as he strode around the stage, head down.

In the best-of-five-legs clash, he took the first two before nailing a big throw of 136 to secure the third and the first point on the board for the home side.

It was his eighth straight win on the trot against Jersey.

But the Reds hit back to take the next two rubbers as Davidson lost to his opposite number, the classy Eddie Le Bailly and Chris Smith went down to 18-year-old sensation, Craig Quemard.

Now 2-1 down, Mark Fletcher levelled things for the Greens as he beat Dave Eusebini 3-1..

The intense Fletcher won the first two legs and was cruising in the third as he hit a 180.

But he lost his concentration and seemed to be more interested in geeing up the crowd as Eusebini checked out.

Fletcher regained his composure to win the next leg and earn himself a well-deserved man-of-the-match award.

The visitors edged ahead again through Mark James, who was in inspired form in beating Paul Poullain 3-0, but Guernsey levelled again as Terry King just got the better of Mark Edwards in what was arguably the match of the night.

Their tie was level at two legs apiece going into the fifth leg.

King, who had already thrown a 180, was in fine touch but so was his opponent, who, needing 25 to take the decider, accidentally hit the treble nine.

King jumped at the chance and got his required double 18.

In their faces, you could not have had a greater contrast.

King leapt into the arms of his delirious teammates while Edwards looked gobsmacked, not believing what had just happened.

The joy in the Guernsey camp was shortlived, though, as the long-haired Caesarean Nathan Le Bailly held off Colin Prigent 3-2.

Now just needing one more rubber to secure the victory and keep their hands on the trophy, the pressure was on Rob Foss to keep Guernsey’s hopes alive.

He put up a brave fight against Kenny Horton, losing the first leg but claiming the second.

However, the tall Horton kept his nerve and claimed the next two to ensure Jersey retained the trophy.

In the dead rubber, Jason Allez went on to take the final game against Bobby Williams, but it hardly mattered.

‘It’s never easy to win away from home,’ said the Jersey Darts Organisation chairman, Rob Benest.

‘This was an excellent win. The atmosphere has been brilliant.

‘You can’t ask for much more. The standard of darts has been superb and, as a biased person, the right team won.’

Earlier in the evening the Sarnian women had raised the roof by taking the trophy off their Jersey counterparts.

The Reds had an early lead as Angela Le Bailly beat Kerry Bourgaize and then Donna Le Clercq tasted success over Kate Flood.

But the Greens bounced back to grab the next four matches as Nicky Mahon, June Allen, Linda Eborall and captain Yvonne Le Gallic all emerged victorious.

Guernsey had a momentary stumble as Gill Le Cras lost out to Liz Drew, but when Pauline Chick notched up a straight legs win over Jackie Le Cornu, the honours belonged to the home side.

Julie Murphy then widened the margin, beating Jackie Ahier for a final 6-3 scoreline to Guernsey.

‘I’m obviously ecstatic for all the girls and for all the supporters,’ said Le Gallic. ‘We got it back.’