First Jersey success in new billiards format

Guernsey has enjoyed good success since the team billiards format changed to a series of four timed matches against each opponent, winning both by healthy margins – but they were on the receiving end to a stronger Jersey side this time around, losing by 20 points to 12.

Table availability for the billiards league is an issue that denies Guernsey players having many opportunities to play competitively, but they started decently enough by sharing the first rotation. That was largely down to Miles Plumley’s last gasp win against Clayton Coates, in pouncing on a mistake by Jersey’s island champion in the dying seconds of the 45-minute countdown.

The second set of matches saw just one Guernsey win as Plumley defeated Martyn Le Gallais 128-101, but a 41 break from Coates and a big win for Guy Heys saw the turning of the tide. That continued into the third rotation with Plumley again Guernsey’s sole victor – all down to a final minute flurry of points against Karl Le Fevre.

A 43 from Coates and Heys’s 48 had put Jersey within one win of victory, and they duly took two of the last four matches thanks to Le Gallais and Heys, the latter posting Plumley’s only defeat. Some comfort came from Paul Le Sauvage, with a break of 51, beating Coates in a forerunner to their Channel Islands final, whilst Steve Le Poidevin added his second win.

Guernsey can still win the overall inter insular series as the attention turns to the Mechanics Institute in Jersey. Following Le Sauvage’s billiards final on Friday night, the full snooker team inter insular will be played on Saturday afternoon and evening with Guernsey defending the trophy.