WHATEVER happens this sporting weekend it cannot possibly match last.

Guernsey sport is not in bad shape when in the space of 24 hours it produces a Grand Slam winner for British tennis, victory over Jersey’s best ever men’s golf team, a thumping win for our track and field men and the fastest time ever run by a Guernseyman over 100m, a rare opening day win for our rugby men and, possibly, the finest goal that will be scored in senior football in the Channel Islands this winter.

Enough has been written about the achievements of our US Open winner which, surely, will guarantee her the grand slam of sports awards when it comes around to the Sports Commission and Sportingbet CI celebrations early in 2010.

All I will say is that seldom can our island be so captivated by the sporting achievements of one individual and ask how long does it take for the US Open’s Slamtracker service to recognise a championship-winning point?

I know I was not the only one who was glued to the online Slamtracker service last Sunday evening and frustrated by the refusal for the instant score service to change from 40-40 with Watson serving at 5-1 and on the brink of the title.

It never did change and, after half-an-hour of watching every ongoing match score alter but Watson’s, I switched the machine off.

Other things that don’t change include Guernsey winning year after year the ‘real’ trophy that matters on the running track, the Montague-Burton Trophy awarded in 1948 for the first time and now won 30 times by GIAAC to Jersey’s 15.

GIAAC have won 11 of the last 12 clashes and the only time Jersey managed to win since 1997 was when both Dale Garland and Lee Merrien were injured.

Garland continues to be a revelation and while he may have had a gale at his back in running 10.7 for the 100m at FB Fields last Saturday, it must not be overlooked that here is a once in a lifetime, perhaps once in a century, Sarnian athlete, such is his all-round excellence.

If he hadn’t been running Jersey ragged on the tartan he might have been doing it at the College Field where yours truly witnessed an amazing Jeremie Cup quarter-final and a remarkable winning goal from Ross Allen, not to mention another hotly-disputed and anger-inducing one.

Just how good is Allen and is he more vital to the success of our island team than Dave Rihoy?

We may not know the answer to both questions for a few years yet.

To my mind, the Rangers hot-shot is finally showing to me what all the fuss was about when he was a junior scoring goals for fun.

His game is maturing as his physical strength improves.

He will never be the all-round player that his father was, but there are signs of potential to become an all-time Guernsey great and earn his place with the other elite No. 9s, such as his dad Craig, Kevin Le Tissier, John Loveridge, Ray Blondel, Harold Dorey and Stan Noel.

Scoring big goals in Muratti finals will elevate Ross to that level.

The Rangers striker, of course, scored not one but four memorable goals at the made-for-Priaulx League football, College Field ground against Trinity last weekend.

The first was a superb header back across the keeper and into the far corner, the second a stunning free-kick and the controversial third, from all of 45 yards with the keeper loitering at the edge of his penalty area waiting to be presented with the ball after a drop-ball on the halfway line.

The official family line is that Ross did not intend to blast the ball so wide of Jimmy Styles and into the net, but I contend he just might have and, after all the stick he had been getting from Trinity all game, so what if he taught them a lesson, even if it was deemed unsporting.

I say that because from my lofty viewpoint high on the College Field balcony, I am sure I saw a twinkle in Allen’s eye and a mischievous grin as he walloped the ball home.

Finally, a hearty well done to our golfers who broke a dismal run of inter-insular losses with that nail-biting success on Sunday.

There have been times in the last few summers when I wondered if Guernsey would ever win a men’s team match again given the remarkable strength in depth Jersey enjoy. But Dave Rowlinson, the non-playing captain, moulded a determined unit and was duly rewarded.

TUESDAY’S all-time top 10 Guernsey sportswomen feature quickly drew readers’ responses, the odd one not over-complimentary.

On reflection and I admit to a degree of self-annoyance for overlooking her achievements, I should have found room for cyclist Ann Bowditch (pictured), who certainly has a big fan in Sam Le Marquand. Thanks for your reasoned response Sam, although placing Ann at No. 2 is rather

over-egging the pudding.

Other names put forward were Gail King (formerly Merrien) who many a year back in canoe slaloming was third at the world championships and ranked two in the world.

There was also a call for the inclusion of former powerboater Donna James who, in her navigator’s role 20 years ago this month, won the two-litre world powerboat title.

And, from the equestrian fraternity, the name of veteran rider Jan Coomer was thrust forward.

It was pointed out that she has been winning major trophies in equestrian competitions for more than 40 years and presently holds Senior Show Jumper of the Year title.

Andrew Le Tissier wrote to say: ‘This must surely rate Jan as one of the most consistent, dedicated and longest competing female sportswomen of all time as to remain fit and successful after all these years is an achievement in itself.

‘To be able to beat off opposition from the very many younger contenders must warrant recognition of the highest accolade besides the fact that she has also served on every equestrian committee for most of her competing career so she has also been a pivotal influence to the success of the sport and been influential in training others.

‘Jan is remembered in the early days of the showjumping circuit for her flair in piloting her first horse Tufter to victory against older and more experienced rivals but has now reversed the situation with her old faithful Ortonrigg and they receive standing ovations whenever they win the big classes now.