JERSEY v ENGLAND

A very tight and close fought contest held at the Hotel De Normandie, Havre Des Pas, St Saviour Jersey, saw the home side edged out in a thriller by 22 points to 23. The draw looked to have thrown up some interesting games and this proved to be the case as the evening unfolded.

The first series of games saw Jersey’s Brendan Mahon 3,220 edge out England’s Paul Wing 2,270 but Kent’s Chris Saville 6,990 beating Mick Eolizan 2,950 while Sussex’s Nigel Senior 5,540 edged out Harry Barbet 4,110 against the break so after three games England had a one point lead.

The next four games ended all square as Graeme Bisson 4,400 got the better of England debutant Leon Beer 2,120. England captain Kevin Tunstall 6,780 won against Alan Gicquel 3,190 while Sussex first timer Dave Reeves recovered well after losing a 4,000 break to take victory against Paul Newton 4,730 to 100. The final game saw Jersey’s Keith Vibert 4,270 getting the better of Reading Postman Tony Walsh 3,070.

Jersey players came back strongly in the next four games winning in three with the only England victory coming from Surrey’s Geoff Jukes 8,890 against the Jersey captain Nick Barnett 990. Jersey’s fight back started with James Jeanne who won a close first leg by just 30 points over Mark Turner 2,090 to 2,060. Nigel Ryall 9,660 was in good form in beating Peter Farrelly 260. The home sides third point came from the cue of Alan Le Blond 7,150 over Paul Sainsbury 2,090. With four games to play before the mid term interval the home side led by 6 games to 5.

Bob King 3,820 for the home side against Bernie McCluskey 1,890 gave them the perfect start and Steve Ahier 6,510 followed this up in beating Dennis Atkins 3,720. Another Sussex player in good form was Jim Millward 11,960 winner against Alan Woodworth 400 while Sussex team mate Steve Mariner 3,710 lost out to Fred Jeanne 4,460 in a close game to give the home side a 9 games to 6 advantage at the half way stage.

The first three games of the second half saw England players coming out on top as first Paul Wing 5,200 against Brendan Mahon 2,690 and winning on aggregate 7,470 to 5,910. Chris Saville kept up his good form on the night beating Mick Eolizan 6,960 to 1,000 and aggregate 13,950 to 3,950 and with Nigel Senior stepping up a gear to beat Harry Barbett 9,930 to 2,120 and aggregate 15,470 to 6,230 both sides had having gained 9 points but England led with three aggregate victory’s 12 – 9.

Graeme Bisson 8,680 again put Leon Beer 470 to the sword the aggregate 13,080 to 2,590. Kevin Tunstall with 7,030 was again the victor over Alan Gicquel 4,370 and the aggregate 13,810 to 7,560.

Dave Reeves 5,210 again proved just to strong for Paul Newton 4,730 and the aggregate was 9,940 to 4,830. Tony Walsh 9,540 came back strongly for victory against Keith Vibert 440 and another England victory on Aggregate 12,610 to 4,710. Jersey 10 points England 12 and on aggregate 11 points to 18.

Mark Turner 2,320 was again under the cosh against James Jeanne 4,330 and aggregate 6,420 to 4,380. Pete Farrelly 770 slipped up early letting in Nigel Ryall who hit 11,200 and aggregate 20,860 to 1,030. Nick Barnett played a captains part as he put 11,490 past Geoff Jukes 120 to gain revenge from the first leg and the aggregate 12,480 to 9,010. Paul Sainsbury 6,350 stopped the Jersey players taking all four points as he beat Alan Le Blond 2,060 but Jersey just edged the aggregate 8,440 to 9,210. Jersey and England locked at 13 points all and aggregate 18 points to 19.

The final four games started with an expectant air as England looked to retain the trophy. Bob King led the charge for the home side with 8,470 against Bernie McCluskey 880 and aggregate 12,290 to 2,770. Steve Ahier 9,040 made Dennis Atkins 1,670 pay for an early slip taking the aggregate 15,550 to 5,390. Jim Millward 9,680 powered to victory against Alan Woodworth 700 and aggregate 21,640 to 1,100 while Steve Mariner 7,280 was making sure of the victory taking the second leg against Fred Jeanne 380 and an aggregate victory 10,990 to 4,840. The match ending at 15 points all and England taking the victory on aggregate 23 points to 22.

Nigel Bisson the Jersey President presented mementoes to both sides from the sponsors Channel Hotels

RESULTS