Tom Druce leaves the blocks at the start of the 400 A race.

THE precariousness of Guernsey’s 4 x 400m relay squad heading to the Commonwealth Games was there for all to see at the Intertrust Golden Series at Foote’s Lane on Saturday.

With no room for injury or illness since the debarring of Nathan Stevens on eligibility grounds, it was worrying to see Dale Garland pull up injured and the size of the protective bandaging on Tom Druce’s right thigh as he nursed a quad injury through his first 400m of the season.

Guernsey’s relay team heading to Delhi in October cannot afford to lose anyone so there was a deep sense of irony that Stevens should run so impressively three days after he learned he would not be going.

Garland started the day with a new island record in the 200m, but two hours later he pulled up in the 100m and quickly confirmed that the slight tear to his right hamstring makes him a major doubt for next weekend’s AAA Championships and European trials in Birmingham.

In the 200 Garland, in lane six, had to use all his 400 strength and stamina to pull clear of GIAAC colleague Hywel Robinson and a string of Andover runners, to take the honours in 21.6, hand timed.

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