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The GVC is back for another week of close racing action at the 2022 Tour of Guernsey. Even after more than a quarter of a century the ToG is still as popular as ever with a large entry for this years event. Taking part demands fitness and commitment for the long haul....

The 2022 GVC Tour of Guernsey started with a challenging morning with riders having to complete three separate courses. But, underlying the wish to win is simply wanting to have fun. How do I know? Well I saw all the smiles on the riders faces!

The scene is now set for the week of racing where strength and stamina will play an important part and if riders can keep smiling I think that will count as 'Job done'.

The first Gallery of the week can now be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW DAY 1 OF THE 2022 TOUR OF GUERNSEY

The 2022 BWCI Mini Soccer Festival was held at Footes Lane in sunny weather.

I love photographing junior football as there is always an abundance of enthusiasm on the pitch. There were also some talented and confident young players.

With twenty-one teams taking part including visitors from the UK and Jersey the action was nearly non-stop spread over several mini pitches.

I was able to spend some time on Saturday morning following the games and I've added a new gallery of my pics.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BWCI MINI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Another gap in the diary on Saturday equaled another opportunity to return to the Softball league at Beau Sejour.

This time I think I had got my timing back as each different sport demands slightly different techniques. And as the saying goes practice makes perfect... but I've got a way to go before I achieve that!

But Softball is a great game to take pics of. The access is a bit of a challenge but the atmosphere around the pitch is really friendly. There is also a family feel to the game as the teams include all ages - students to seniors!

Saturday's game was between Manor Farm Misfits A and C.A.R. Vipers. Click the link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW MANOR FARM MISFITS a v C.A.R. VIPERS

The atmosphere down at Footes Lane for the Imperium Night of 5,000's was great.

Track running is so different from say cross country. Being in the 'stadium' keeps everyone involved in the track action. Competitors hang around to support other races and the commentary and music adds to the event.

Friday nights Guernsey Athletics meeting had been billed as the Imperium Night of 5,000's but it had been decided to include a couple of 800m races too.

The very warm evening didn't help the first runners to the line but they still performed well.

As the night cooled the later races benefited from the drop in temperature.

I'd had a late call to cover the event for the Guernsey Press and I ended up really pleased to have the opportunity.

My pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE NIGHT OF 5,000's

The final box was ticked on the extended 2021/2022 Guernsey football league and cup fixtures last night at the Corbet Field.

It was two under 13's sides who completed the last game of the season when Vale Rec faced Sylvans for the Wally Chick Trophy.

The game was entertaining and competitive with a final score that didn't really do justice to the losers, Sylvans, who played well and kept their spirits high right to the whistle.

But the glory and the trophy went to Vale Rec who showed their class right across the pitch.

I enjoyed having the nice summer evening sunshine to photograph in and my pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2022 WALLY CHICK TROPHY GAME

The GVC riders were out on Sunday morning making good use of gravity for Round 3 of the Downhill series.

The track had been set out through the La Pomare site and benefited from an additional section across the lane and through a field, which was actually part of someones garden!

Great appreciation must go to the owners for allowing the Club this access.

This extension came with a spectacular setting and was a picturesque backdrop to some of my photos.... equals a happy photog!!

I've uploaded my pics to a new Gallery. Click the link to view....
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE MTB GRAVITY SERIES

As I found my diary had a blank page on Saturday (a rarity for a weekend) I set out to find something to photograph.

A quick search found that the Guernsey Softball Association had several games taking place at Beau Sejour. As it was twelve months since the last time I covered this sport the decision was made.

I compromised/shared my time between the new garden I'm designing and the photography by completing a bit more planting in the morning - leaving the afternoon for the photography.

The friendly atmosphere at the game meant it was very enjoyable covering the action. A bright sunny day was also a help!

I photographed two games... Manor Farm Donkeys v Tomahawks and Manor Farm Misfits v Liberate Lions.

My pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST SOFTBALL PICS

With the Rugby Siam Cup games returning to Footes Lane last Saturday the local Men's and Women's teams faced Jersey for the second time in quick succession.

The previous games were held in Jersey and resulted in a decisive win for the Guernsey men but the women were just beaten.

So this set the scene for the return match and whilst the men were confident in another win it was the women who were really fired up to undo the previous result.

And I'm pleased to say that Guernsey Raiders took both the games. The men with a huge win - 52-0! The Guernsey Raiders Ladies also got their hands back on the trophy with a hard fought win - 13-12!

Fantastic work by everyone!

I photographed the women's game and those pics are now online. Sadly I had another event I had to go to so no pics of the men.
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 WOMENS SIAM CUP GALLERY

Talking as a photographer sometimes you are gifted just the right conditions.

Whilst weather... fog, rain, evening light, can all play a part in setting a scene for a photographer sadly we haven't really got any control of what we are given. At least that is the case if you photograph a 'timed' event - which sports are.

If you take pics of say landscapes then you can chose if you go out the front door after looking out at the sky and the weather forecast. If it doesn't look promising... well there is always tomorrow.

But if you photograph events then you have to turn up and make the best of what you are given.

Sometimes it is better than others and today was one of the good ones.

At Round two of the GVC MTB Enduro at La Pomare the light was really special so I made the best of it as who knows when I will be so lucky again?

Take a look at my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 2 OF THE GVC ENDURO SERIES

The Under 16's Upton was played for the John Leatt Memorial Trophy at St Peters on Sunday.

Sylvans hosted the Jersey visitors St Pauls.

It was the Jersey champions who showed greater skill and motivation and they never really looked under pressure... even after one of their team was injured needing a trip to A&E and also having a player sent off.

I popped up to St Peters to take a few pics of the game:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2022 U16's UPTON

I have previously commented that it is great that Sports are returning to their 'normal' fixture lists. The damage done by the Covid lock-down's is being undone. Fantastic!

I was at the Guernsey v Jersey Snooker Inter-Insular at the Gremlin Club and it was a case of normal service is resumed.

As the finals evening of matches was due to start at a time that conflicted with the FA Cup Final - Liverpool v Chelsea I half expected that there would be a delay... and I was right!

Once the football result was decided after penalties the action took to the baize. Sadly it was the Crapo's who took the overall team win.

As it was likely to be a late night I'd already left so I didn't witness the downfall of team Guernsey!

My pics of the event are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 SNOOKER INTER-INSULAR

The unusual conditions at Round-1 of the GVC Summer Crit series made for a contrasting gallery of pics.

As we know there has been a lack of rain for weeks and the soil is now parched dry. It was this that meant the large entry for this first MTB Crit of the year lifted a dusty haze along the dirt tracks.

I was quick to identify the photo opportunity and I managed to capture some of the back-lit sections. I was pleased with the results.

But as I moved around the circuit the conditions were quite different. The feature then became the low warm evening light.

So it was unusual to capture a selection of pics that were so different - but very enjoyable.

Follow this link to view the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND-1 OF THE MTB CRIT

The latest update features pics of the Table Tennis Green Trophy Inter-Insular at Hougue du Pommier.

This event was another of the many that lost a couple of years due to Covid but the Guernsey and Jersey teams were right up to speed when they met for this years competition.

Games took place spread over a couple of days with a tally being kept for the overall winning team.... and Guernsey took the crown!

I popped down for the men's Green Trophy finals and I've added a gallery featuring the action here:
CLICK TOP VIEW THE TABLE TENNIS GREEN TROPHY

Gravity is pretty important for everything on earth and yet we take it for granted.

It can also be a useful tool when you sit on an MTB at the top of a hill.

This natural force of nature was used to good effect by riders taking part in Round 1 of the 2022 GVC MTB Gravity Series at Pleinmont.

I was there capturing some of the action on a very dry and slippery course that caught out many competitors.

But as always there were plenty of smiles and I even overheard one of the junior riders complaining that he wanted another run. Oh to be young again!

My pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 1 OF THE 2022 GRAVITY SERIES

I thought I'd just make a quick update to let those people who have been waiting for the Inter-Insular Volleyball pics know they are online (at least for the Ladies).

Sorry for the delay but I've been a bit stacked with work. However the first Gallery is now online and it features Guernsey Women v Jersey Women... with a win for the Guern's, NICE!

EDIT: The Men's pics are now online too. Click the links to view the latest updates:
CLICK TO VIEW THE WOMENS 2022 VOLLEYBALL INTER-INSULAR
CLICK TO VIEW THE MENS 2022 VOLLEYBALL INTER-INSULAR

It always pains me deeply to have to record that Guernsey was beaten by Jersey in any form of sport and competition.

But I'll bite my tongue and add the news that our Under 16's football team went down 3-0 to the Jersey youngsters at the Corbet Field when the Junior Muratti took place yesterday.

Sadly, for a Guern, Jersey deserved to win the Nigel Gavey Memorial Trophy as they were clearly the better side.

We keep our fingers crossed for a better result next year.

My pics of the game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE UNDER 16's MURATTI PICS

A very quick note to advize you that the pics of the National Two South Rugby game between Guernsey Raiders and Canterbury RFC are now online.

You can view the Gallery by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF GUERNSEY RAIDERS v CANTERBURY RFC

It was great to see another sport back and busy after shaking off two years of disruption.

I was been sent along to the Rohais Badminton Halls to photograph the Easter Open Tournament. I think it is ten years since I last photographed this popular tournament but it was somehow familiar territory for me.

The match play is near non-stop with a stream of players taking to the courts competing in various categories. I made two visits to try and do justice to the amount of activity but I have probably failed miserably!

However I hope my Gallery of pics will give some idea of the game play.

Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 BADMINTON OPEN TOURNAMENT

A spot of Isthmian South Central league football photography on a mild spring evening under floodlights... what's not to like?

I was at Footes Lane for clash between the GFC and Chipstead. The night was notable for teenager Tim Ap Sion who scored on his debut for GFC. The goal meant that GFC held the visiting side to a 3-3 scoreline.

Maybe GFC could be disappointed with the result as they had given away a 2-1 lead.

But we can still look ahead knowing that GFC are nurturing new young talent for the future.

My pics under floodlights can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v CHIPSTEAD

Duathlon's have a habit of starting early. This must sometimes be a challenge for competitors... it certainly is for this photographer!

However sometimes the effort to be at the start line is rewarded with a lovely crisp spring morning. And when the setting for the event is the reservoir I was a happy chappy!

The 2022 Duathlon/Triathon season kicked off with the Reservoir Duathlon on Sunday. I was there capturing some of the action.

I hope you enjoy my pics in this gallery....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE RESERVOIR DUATHLON