TOUGHER times in Southern League Division Two lie ahead after the Ansbacher Channel Islands AC men’s team completed their third season unbeaten. Inspired by Dale Garland’s six individual wins, the 11-strong CIAC team romped to another convincing victory in their fifth and last Division Three (West) match of the summer in Croydon.

‘It was a quite solid performance,’ said team manager Andrew Winnie.

‘Right from the first track event, we knew we weren’t going to get beaten,’ he added.

The bulk of the squad comprised Guernsey athletes and apart from Garland’s usual reliability, there were some notable performances from Tom Druce and Lee Merrien, to name but two. Druce won the Ansbacher athlete-of-the-match award for his two wins over 200 and 400m.

In the 200 he ran a new personal-best 23.6, while in the 400 he clocked a swift 50.8 for another victory.

On this occasion Merrien took on the main 800m duties and it was a virtual time-trial for the Commonwealth Games runner. Nevertheless, he clocked a very useful 1-52.4.

He also posted a swift leg in the 4 x 400 in which CIAC had to run harder than the norm to win from the home club who fielded a 47sec. man.

But with Merrien, Druce and Garland all running 50+sec. splits, the team won in a fine 3min 25.3sec.

Winnie said he was so pleased for the team.

‘There is a tremendous spirit and there is a commitment to the cause.’

He paid particular tribute to Lee Garland and Steve Dawes. ‘They come out time after time.’