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On Friday evening I photographed a Sport that I have somehow failed to give proper coverage to over the years.

And this Sport is actually one of the 'obvious' choices for a small Island. The sea is always just a short hop away wherever you might be in Guernsey.

Perhaps it's the fact that to achieve the best results a photographer needs to be on the water chasing the action. This demands some forward planning. I used to get out on the sea when Powerboat Racing was a big Sport and I really enjoyed that challenge. Maybe it's time to make the effort again?

Sadly I was assigned to cover the Guernsey Rowing Club's Havelet Bay race very late in the day and most of my shots are taken from dry land and at considerable distance. Even an 800mm lens was left wanting!

But it was still a pleasure to be out on a nice evening. My pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE HAVELET ROWING RACE

The 2023 football Muratti's were sad affairs from the Guernsey perspective.

Both the Guernsey Ladies and Men's squads left Footes Lane without a trophy to share between them.

In sport we have to face up to the reality that sometimes we simply aren't good enough on the day.

But there is also another reality and that is that if a team can 'bank' the experience that comes with losing and invest the pain into coming back stronger the next time then they will reap the reward. I'm sure Guernsey will dig deeper and train harder motivated by the ambition to win again.

It is a fact in every sport that over the years the team taking the glory changes. With that thought in mind the journey along the road to Guernsey holding the Muratti Trophys high again starts today!

Due to other assignments I only had time available to photograph the Ladies Muratti and my pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 LADIES MURATTI

With Guernsey hosting the Island Games this year and the countdown running fast every aspect of the games is coming together.

Meetings and training sessions are filling the calendar as so much has to be organized to make the games run smoothly. The target of all involved is to showcase what Guernsey can do. We've done it before and this time will be even better!

Part of the prep is for the different sports to test out how their events will run and this is what happened at Delancey Park on Sunday.

The GVC ran one of their Summer MTB XC championship races on the circuit that will be part of the Island Games MTB XC series.

Things looked good and I think the track offered a great mix of challenges. I worked at finding good spots to photograph from. Some worked, others less so.

It looks like I'm going to have to put more effort into my own performance too!

The countdown is running fast... and we all can't wait to get going!

My pics of the MTB racing are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE 2 OF THE SUMMER MTB XC SERIES

Sadly this can't be said about every (many) Sports that meet our old Jersey rivals in an Inter-insular..

But that makes it even sweeter when we knock them out of the park... four times!

Well done to all four Guernsey Basketball teams for your wins over the visiting Crapos.

Every team played with full commitment and proved their dominance over the Jersey opposition!

OK maybe I should stop the crowing about the success.... if I really have to!!

I've added new galleries featuring some of the action and atmosphere here:
CLICK TO VIEW SOME OF THE 2023 BASKETBALL INTER-INSULARS

Once again Ronez opened Les Vardes Quarry for a charity event titled 'MTB Mayhem'. What a great name!

The guys had certainly been busy laying out multiple features in the Quarry including the biggest berm I've ever seen, huge piles of gravel, twisting routes through piles of boulders and much more!

I came away from the event impressed and pleased that such a thing can still be organized in this Health and Safety dominated world.

It was satisfying and a pleasure to see - predominantly young (and many young at heart) people having fun in what was certainly a potentially dangerous environment. I saw a couple of people 'stack it' but they got up, dusted themselves off (there was a lot of dust!) and carried on!

Some of the features were definitely a bit risky but the youngsters were trusted to know their own limits and supervision was minimal.

I realized that this event offered a look back to how things used to be for people of my generation (born in the fifties). Back then as kids we jumped on our bikes and explored our limitations. Of course we sometimes got home with blooded knees and elbows but our parents just accepted it as something that happens.

They trusted us to know how far we pushed our luck... and it was fun and character building. It's nice to know that the youth of today, when given the chance, haven't changed a bit!

Thank you Ronez... you make the best playgrounds ever!!
I captured some of the fun. Take a look here:
CLICK TO VIEW RONEZ MAYHEM 2023

When I arrive at St Pierre Park Hotel to photograph an evening of Dinner Boxing only to be told that the two headlining Bouts had been cancelled I am allowed to be a little disappointed!

But I needn't have been. The April Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night still produced some great entertainment with ten hard fought contests.

The visiting team was from Liverpool and they proved to be very strong.

Bout 11 was due to feature one of the Dinner Boxing Club's favorites, Tom Teers, but sadly his opponent failed to get to Guernsey.

The top Bout of the night was to be a send-off for Billy Le Poullain but I think one of the fighters picked up an injury so that didn't happen either. Maybe sometime soon?

But as I said there was still plenty of action and this Gallery is where to look:
CLICK TO VIEW THE APRIL 2023 DINNER BOXING PICS

I've been catching up with the edit of a couple of photo-shoots.

The latest update features the Guernsey Velo Club's Summer Cross Country event last weekend at L'Ancresse over the Island Games course.

This was a great chance to recce the route... for competitors and photographers too!

There was a good variety of features to challenge riders combining some tight and technical sections then moving on to open sections of the Common. All this was with a beautiful backdrop of L'Ancresse Common and Pembroke Bay.

We have fingers crossed that the day of the Island Games race is bright and sunny as it will be a fantastic setting for a large crowd of spectators. See you all then.... in the sun?!

My pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE L'ANCRESSE ISLAND GAMES XC COURSE

I think the edit of the Lock-in 7 pics rate amongst the biggest that I've done.

The numbers probably rival how many shots I have taken at a three-day music festival covering different stages, a couple of dozen bands together with shots of the atmosphere all spread over many days/hours!

During the Lock-in edit I wondered why I took quite so many pics (over a thousand)... but then when I looked at them the action really was non-stop.... even though the contests only lasted for a maximum of three two minute rounds. Total six minutes!!

But at the end of the day I'm really pleased that I was able to give such a complete coverage.

Also I must say that I really appreciate the amazing support shown by the fighters who have purchased Digital files, prints and Canvases. Thank you.

The final bouts together with the Ring Girls and the Atmosphere have new Galleries here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE COMPLETED LOCK-IN 7 GALLERIES

Cage & Stage Productions returned to Beau Sejour after a few years break with another Lock-in event. This one was No.7 and the best yet!

The evening consisted of fourteen bouts in front of a capacity - and noisy crowd.

The action was non-stop and I was as fatigued as the boxers after chasing the best action shots all night - both up the ladder and through the cage. This was both a challenge and great fun!

These Galleries feature all the Bouts and a feel for the atmosphere. I hope you like them.

PLEASE NOTE that these pics are here for you to LOOK AT - NOT copy/steal for your profiles.

There are options to purchase Digital files which will be higher resolution than the Gallery pics and without the big watermark.

Another way to remember the night is with a print or an amazing Canvas!

Photography is my only income. Please respect that, thanks.

Follow this link to view the very best of Lock-in 7.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LOCK-IN 7

Easter comes with many traditions attached.

One of those is the annual Keith Falla Memorial Cross Country.

This year the entry seemed as big as ever for the full course laid out around L'Ancresse Common.

It's a couple of years since I was assigned to cover this event and it was great to see that it is still well supported.

My pics of the run can be viewed by clicking on this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 KEITH FALLA MEMORIAL XC

The Guernsey Under 15's squad didn't shine in the 2023 Star Trophy Inter-island football on Sunday.

Jersey visited Footes Lane to play Guernsey for the prestigious Trophy.

Sadly for the local side the score went against them with a final result recorded as 0-2.

However perhaps this score didn't fully represent the amount of good play produced by the Guernsey team. Maybe they lacked the last bit of skill to level the score but they didn't let their Island down. They kept up their spirits and continued to work hard right to the final whistle.

Sometimes it simply isn't meant to happen!

I've added my pics to a new Gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE U!5 STAR TROPHY

GFC secured an impressive win over Southall FC to take the pressure off themselves in the challenge of keeping clear of the league relegation playoffs.... and they did it in incredible style too!!

The scoreline of 4-1 was a true representation of the balance of play. Southall didn't quite know what had hit them!

GFC have well and truly got the ball rolling. Well done guys.

I've added a Gallery featuring some of the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v SOUTHALL FC

We can't expect every game to be a classic. The National Two East Rugby League is a tough and competitive one.

Sometimes just getting a win is the target. Doing it in style, whilst nice, is not a requirement.

Then there are times that a result suggests a 'greater' performance than actual fact. A scoreline sometimes flatters the play.

But really does it matter. I think not. Supporters of Guernsey Raiders will take a 50-31 scoreline anytime even if it comes wrapped in a somewhat inconsistant performance!

I've added a Gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF RAIDERS v ROCHFORD HUNDRED

It was very pleasant up at La Pomare on Sunday for Round 7 of the GVC Winter MTB XC series. The dry and sunny conditions were very welcome.

It was just a shame that I didn't have a little more time at the event to capture a few more 'angles'. But it was still worth the trip!

I had to dash off to complete a photo-shoot for an upcoming event. It's one of my favorite Sports events to photograph... but a real challenge too!

I'll be posting more info soon. Keep an eye open on this Blog.

The MTB XC pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 7 OF THE MTB XC SERIES

With 10 Bouts on the bill for the March Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night at St Pierre Park Hotel it was always going to be a busy one!

The format followed a familiar route with the opening bouts featuring young novice boxers in 'skills contests'. These are valuable first experiences for future champions to get a feel what it's like to have a crowd shouting out encouragement.

After the openers it was down to the serious business with the Guernsey team taking on the visitors from Hull.

I've now uploaded all 10 Bouts of action to a new Gallery on my website if you want to take a look.

Please Tag and Share this post so we can get the word out to all the boxers. Thanks.

Here are the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE BOXING GALLERY - GUERNSEY v HULL

Nobody can deny that supporting GFC can be a little like riding a roller-coaster sometimes!

Today was a good example when our local side hosted Chipstead at Footes Lane in the Isthmian South Central League.

The first half was quite uninspiring from both sides but the teams returned to the pitch after halftime with ambitions to take a win. The game came alive and GFC had to pull back a goal deficit twice as Chipstead piled on pressure.

Once again a visiting side (when in the lead) pulled every trick in the book to waste time making GFC supporters fear we wouldn't get opportunity to score again.

But, our star player, yes you guessed it, Ross Allen produced his magic on the 90th minute to send Chipstead home with just one point!

The result for GFC felt as good as a win!

My pics of the game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v CHIPSTEAD

Today's Guernsey Velo Club Road Race on the L'Eree Circuit was held in conditions that were particularly tough along the coast road section where the combination of a high tide and strong winds meant an uncomfortable ride for competitors.

Surprisingly a few of them still managed a smile for the cameraman!

As for myself, well I managed to stay dry.... I'm not daft!

I've uploaded a few pics to a new Gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE L'EREE CIRCUIT ROAD RACE

GFC struggled to find form against Merstham FC under flood lights at Footes Lane last night going down 1-2.

The visiting side tested the referee by using every 'trick in the book' to frustrate and delay the play. Sadly many of the more experienced visiting sides seem use this ruse to lower the standard of play and kill a game - especially when they find themselves in a two goal lead!!!

I guess the tactic of pushing the Ref's resolve is now part of the game, maybe it always was? I witnessed Merstham players niggling at GFC players, backing into players looking for a foul and somehow dropping to the ground in pain after an 'unseen' clash!

By pure coincidence I'm sure, this often happened when GFC had a bit of momentum!!

I really HATE this part of the game. It can be seen right up to the International level... mostly in the men's game. Maybe this is why I really enjoying the flow and undoubted skills shown in Woman's football?

My pics of the GFC game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW GFC v MERSTHAM FC

To quote James Falla in his Guernsey Press report on the National Two East Rugby, Guernsey Raiders v Dorking at the weekend...

'Raiders secured one of their wins of the season with both a thrilling and ruthlessly professional performance to see off the challenge of Dorking at Footes Lane'.

I think that perfectly sums up the Raiders performance.

There was a real buzz around the pitch as the Raiders showed their class and commitment against the top-three in the league visitors who had brought along a vocal group of supporters. This, together with our local crowd, added to the overall atmosphere. Rugby at its best. Well done to all those who were part of the game.

I enjoyed being pitch-side and my pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW GUERNSEY RAIDERS v DORKING

Epic, sensational, dramatic, nail-biting, tense.....

And I could still say more!

This was the 2023 U18's Junior Muratti at The Track between Guernsey and Jersey. It took a nerve gangling penalty shootout to give Guernsey the win after being two goals down - one after just 38 seconds!

Guernsey managed to pull it level at 2-2 by fulltime.

Then in extra time the Donkeys scored to make it 3-2 but they then allowed the visitors to equalize setting the final score after 120 minutes at 3-3 and the promise of a shootout!

As always this form of resolution to a game only promises heartbreak to one of the teams and it was Jersey who went home deflated and disappointed.

But what a great afternoon of entertainment for the large crowd and well done to Guernsey U18's!

My pics of the Junior Muratti are here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2023 JUNIOR MURATTI