Guernsey lead off runner Kylie Robilliard hands over to Caroline Kyle as the home team secured a rare Le Riche Trophy success. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 1026457)

JERSEY provided the day’s only two senior meeting records, but it was the home teams that enjoyed an unexpected Burton-Le Riche Trophy double at Foote’s Lane athletics track on Saturday.

And while the men’s victory was nothing but predictable and done without the use of Dale Garland, who restricted himself to one high jump, or Lee Merrien, the first Guernsey success in the senior women’s match for many years was a major surprise.

Veteran Deborah Doherty had almost forgotten what it was like to win the Le Riche, so wore a huge smile after she and her 4 x 400m relay colleague successfully got the baton round four laps to ensure a one-point win for the GIAAC mix of old and new.

‘They Guernsey women rallied together to pull out a fantastic performance,’ said Doherty, while Louise Perrio, who ran a superb 5,000m to hold off Jersey’s talented Claire Forbes, said the fact that for once Guernsey were able to fill every spot in the team, with the help of coaches Jade Packham and Michelle Bromley, made all the difference.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.