News / Blog - Sports News

The Guernsey International Chess Festival returned in 2022 after Covid disrupted its organization for a couple of years.

Thankfully the enthusiasm hadn't waned within the dedicated crew that makes these things happen. This 46th time the festival has been organized was held in the impressive surroundings of St James. This lofty space was perfect for such an event. The hush within the building enhanced the overall atmosphere.

I was invited along to see what I could capture of the play. I arrived unsure how I would be able to work around those who were concentrating intensively on the board. I was aware that they wouldn't take kindly to being distracted!

However once I understood how things worked I was able to try to capture the essence of a Chess tournament. It was great fun for me and has allowed me to tick another box.

I hope you like the pics and you will have a better understanding of what the Guernsey International Chess Festival has to offer after viewing this Gallery.
CLICK TO VIEW THE 46th GUERNSEY INTERNATIONAL CHESS FESTIVAL

I've been playing catch... or to be more specific catch-up! with some Women's Basketball photography.

I'd turned around the Guernsey Press edit straight after getting home as there was a deadline but then other things seemed to get in the way of completing the job!

But that's fixed now. My pics of the Le Mont Saint Storm v Praxis Pumas are now online and can be viewed by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW LE MONT SAINT STORM v PRAXIS PUMAS

We are entering the period when the weather gods can throw all sorts of unpleasant and uncomfortable conditions at us.

When you are a sports photographer you must be ready and equipped to work whatever drops out of the sky!

However there is nothing wrong when the elements are trying hard to spoil your day to accept an indoor assignment! Of course that type of shoot also can be challenging in its own way.... but in the dry!

Nobody should moan too much when they are warm and comfortable.

So it was nice to photograph the recent under 16's South Regional League Division 2 Netball inside at Beau Sejour as it was wet and windy outside. The game was between Guernsey Panthers v Rushmoor.

I won't bother you with the difficulty working under low level artificial lights as I know you really couldn't give a damn!!

However if you want to see the pics they are here:
CLICK TO VIEW U16 NETBALL_GUERNSEY PANTHERS v RUSHMOOR

It was a pleasure being a supporter of Guernsey Raiders when they played National Two East visitors North Walsham Vikings.

There had been little to impress with Raiders recent form but they certainly hit their stride at Footes Lane on Saturday.

Our Raiders team were motivated from the start and looked in a different class to the opposition. When I say that the final score of 58-17 didn't record the possible total as several conversion attempts hit the post you know that we had the game under control.

Perhaps the only disappointment was that North Walsham even scored seventeen as we let a few of their efforts count near the end of the game.

Let's hope the Raiders momentum is carried into the next games.

I've added a Gallery featuring the action:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW RAIDERS v NORTH WALSHAM PICS

Jersey's Grouville visited North Field for the Jeremie Cup Quarter Final and produced a dominant performance to give them a five - two win over Northerners.

To be fair Northeners looked confident and made good play during the first half but after a red card the ten men lost all momentum.

So that's the end of the North's Jeremie Cup ambitions for 2022.

I captured some of the action. Follow this link to view my pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF NORTH v GROUVILLE

Guernsey Raiders hosted Barnes at Footes Lane for their second game in the 2022 Rugby National Two East League on Saturday.

Sadly for the supporters the local side couldn't make the impact on the game that is needed to record their first win.

Raiders showed some good form for short spells but as in the first game of the season they failed to keep consistent pressure on the opposition. Their concentration also seemed to wander at times.

But it is a long season so there is still time for improvements.

Even though the result wasn't the one supporters were looking for there was still a great atmosphere at Footes Lane and I always leave impressed by how rugby is played when comparing to football.

The respect for the authority of the referee on a rugby pitch is so refreshing when compared to football.

This respect also extends to the benches where coaches lead by example.

Sadly some of the foul language and disrespect emanating from the bench of some of the visiting football teams is disgusting and should be stamped on. I must say however that the GFC bench shows far better self control even when the blood stars to boil!!

Guernsey FC has a scheme where juniors from the local clubs work as ball boys sitting close to the pitch... and the team benches. This is a fantastic idea as the youngsters have a 'ring-side' seat for GFC games.

This will surely build their enthusiasm and excitement for the game. But the worry is that they also start believing that disrespectful behavior is accepted as normal. What do you think?

But back to the rugby. I've added a new gallery featuring my pics of Guernsey Raiders v Barnes. Follow this link if you want to see them:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GUERNSEY RAIDERS v BARNES

OK, I think we can all agree that Triathlon is a Sport.

What's more, I don't think anyone will argue that it is a sport that requires commitment, training, strong mental resilience and endeavour.

However I was left a little confused whilst photographing the Guernsey Triathlon Club's Granite Man yesterday. So confused that I had to lift the dictionary down from the shelf to try and understand what I had experienced 'track side'... especially in the depths of the energy sapping Ronez Quarry section.

Let me explain. I looked up the definition of 'Sport'... this is what I read. ' Sport: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another'

So Triathlon is most definately a Sport. So what's my problem?

Well I investigated a little further.

The above quote states that when taking part in a Sport you 'compete against others'. So what is the definition of compete?

Quote: 'Compete: to strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others'.

Now this is what was troubling me as this simply isn't what I was seeing as competitors faced the gruelling climb and heat in the quarry as they neared the end of the three disciplines of the Granite Man Triathlon.

By dictionary definition each competitor should have been trying to beat down their opponents. They should have been pressurising them into failure in the pusuit of a win.

But instead the atmosphere was of huge support between competing Triathletes. Encouragement was given to others in the knowledge that maybe each competitor wasn't actually competing against the other but only against themself. There was a respect for all others who were also facing the same challenge.

So my summary of Triathlon as a Sport... at least at our local level is that it is perhaps unique in offering competitors a competition where they don't leave the start line with a win as their outright goal. And it is all the better for that!

I've added a new gallery featuring my Granite Man pics. You will see a surprising amount of smiles too! How do they still have the energy for those? I don't know!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2022 GRANITE MAN TRIATHLON

The Rugby National League 2 East Championship kicked off for Guernsey Raiders with a home game against Old Albanian's at Footes Lane on Saturday.

I felt that the Raiders performance was a bit subdued and seemed to lack full commitment with the team almost handing the opposition the win. Although it must be said that Raiders kept working until the final whistle and they almost salvaged something out of the game.

The supporters also seemed a little laid back with their support so maybe everyone needs a couple of games to get back up to full speed.

One thing is certain and that is the season will provide some great opportunities for great action shots. Rugby never disappoints a photographer. I'll be back!

There's a new Gallery online featuring the first home game of the season here:
CLICK TO VIEW GUERNSEY RAIDERS v OLD ALBANIANS

GFC played in front of their home supporters for the first time in the new 2022/2023 season at Footes Lane on Bank holiday Monday.

If you had to imagine the worst possible start to the game it would probably feature an early goal. I wasn't timing it but it felt like about one minute and GFC were one goal down after a penalty kick!

So GFC were chasing a result from nearly the first whistle.

Their overall performance, and more importantly the standard of play by Tooting & Micham United, showed that the season ahead for GFC is going to need full commitment from the whole squad.

There were moments when GFC looked like scoring so hopefully we will have something to celebrate soon. Good luck to our local team.

I've uploaded a gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED

Have Rovers set the standard for the new football season?

Rovers had a convincing win over North in the 2022 Rawlinson Cup Final at The Track.

They dominated play and were rewarding with a 4-1 win. This result is certain to instill confidence as the Guernsey Priaulx league starts its season. We look forward to seeing how the championship develops.

I was sent down to photograph the Cup Final and was greeted by even less working flood lights than the last time I covered an evening game at The Track! Some areas of the pitch were very poorly lit.

I heard a rumour that funding may be in place to update the lighting at a couple of the Guernsey Club grounds. I hope it's true... and the sooner the better for us photographers.

Oh the players also deserve better light too, ha, ha!!

My pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 RAWLINSON CUP FINAL

The ActiveGSY Track & Field event at Footes Lane included at couple of highlights.

Firstly Alistair Chambers visited his old training ground with his Bronze Commonwealth Games medal. He took part in a Q&A giving an insight into the life of a top athlete. The junior Club members were suitably 'star-struck'!

When the attention turned to the track and field Abi Galpin produced an amazing leap in the long jump re-writing Kimberley's 17 year old woman's record.

I've added a new gallery featuring some of the action.
CLICK TO VIEW THE ACTIVEGSY TRACK & FIELD GALLERY

Over fifty local firms went to battle on the streets of St Peter Port for the annual Inter-firm relay.

The Cannacord Genuity Wealth Management Inter-firm relay seems to be taken quite seriously by some businesses who manage to enter a team of four who have familiar faces to anyone who follows local sport.

Of course it is a fun event which raises money for good causes but as we know if you are a 'competitor' you are probably 'in it to win it'!

So well done to Ravenscroft for the win and AON for being the first of the losers!!

I have uploaded a few pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2022 INTER-FIRM RELAY

The Guernsey Triathlon Club's Uber Sprinters were out at Amarreurs on a quiet summer morning.

For this event the swim took a slightly different format as, unlike the normal setup, the swimmers enered the water on one side of the bay and exited across the other side for the transition to the bikes.

I completed a limited coverage for the Press and the pics can now be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE UBER SPRINT TRIATHLON

The one word being banded about at La Pomare for Round 5 of the GVC Gravity Series was HOT!

This wasn't talking about the racing as you can imagine. But that action was pretty good too!

Riders were pushed to their limits as the mornings racing took the form of two courses... each raced twice in the summer heat!

I've added a few pics of the racing here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE DOUBLE DOWNHILL RACING

An experienced athlete who is used to running the mile distance will have a pretty good idea how long it is!

As they leave the start line they will be familiar with the pace that they are comfortable with. However sometimes the weather can throw an extra variable into the mix.

This was so at Vazon on Friday evening at the Guernsey Athletics 1 mile road race. The athletes were met by an energy sapping heat that is a feature of this summer. There was also a (slight) head wind. This combination was enough to sap the energy from many of the runners.

There was a good entry and a sense of relief at the finish line that it had been just a mile race... although it must have felt like more!

I've added a small gallery featuring some pics of the race:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 1 MILE ROAD RACE

Maybe I simplify things too much sometimes.

To my simple mind you'd think that a gravity aided sport like the GVC MTB Gravity Series would be a bit of a 'stroll in the Park'... wouldn't you?

How hard can it be to roll down a hill on a bike?

Well it seems that 'I know nothing'!

Looking at the grimacing and sweating at Round 4 of the Gravity Series it was clearly a lot tougher than I thought!!

This time the mornings racing included two venues so there was even more demand on competitors as the had to pedal between each one too.

As always the smiles returned at the end of the racing and there was a sense of achievement in the air.

As for me... well I was worn out chasing the action. Maybe it is me who needs to work on my own fitness?

There's a new Gallery of pics online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 4 OF THE GVC GRAVITY SERIES

This long dry summer isn't all bad news... at least if you play certain sports.

Of course this all depends. Competing in some sports you have to expend extreme energy and effort. Energy sapping heat is NOT a good thing!

But some sports seem to be a little less high power. Whilst they are certainly competitive and demand concentration and effort they are still a bit more laid back.

I think Softball probably would fit that description and it's a sport that seems perfect to play in the summer sunshine.

I popped up again to Beau Sejour to enjoy and photograph another of the Guernsey Softball Associations games and my new Gallery features the action from Tomahawks v Habitat Hit Squad.

Click the link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW TOMAHAWKS v HABITAT HIT SQUAD

The 2022 Tour of Guernsey was completed with a sixth day of racing on Saturday. The large field of riders covered all ages, all abilities and all levels of fitness!

You might of expected that this could lead to a lack of competition and interest but that couldn't be further from the truth. Each competitor was able to focus on someone near their own ability and once again the atmosphere 'track side' was brilliant!

The hot sun had brought out a crowd of supporters and riders who weren't racing also joined in the encouragement of others.

What a brilliant week and well done to all. There were some really committed, gritty and brave performances... yes it was gritty and brave to get straight back in the saddle after taking a fall!

This is a big gallery featuring Day 6 of the ToG:
CLICK TO VIEW DAY 6 OF THE TOUR OF GUERNSEY

In a strange twist it seems that what goes down must come up!

As the 2022 Tour of Guernsey hit the Islands deepest hole for day 5 I made my way down to the very bottom as there is always an interesting pic available using the Ronez digger as a background.

Day five's course introduced the new 'surface track' to competitors before they headed deep down into Ronez Quarry.

I think it is one of the most popular days of the ToG because it offers the chance to race against a unique backdrop and challenge.

The problem for this photographer is that at the end of the event I'm left with that long hot climb back to the surface. But it is worth the effort? Note the question mark!

This gallery shows all the action from down under....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE ToG FROM WAY DOWN DEEP

Boxfit gave their members a chance to tick a box once again at KGV.

Now I must admit that this particular 'box' is not one that I have any yearning to put a tick in but it seems there is an enthusiastic line of people who see it different from me!

The experience that attracts them is to go toe to toe in a boxing ring against an equally keen fighter. Part of the whole experience must be the build up, the training and having a 'goal' at the end of tunnel. But on the day there must be a few nervous people slipping on the gloves!

But the look of elation after the final bell showed how happy every one of the fighters were to have completed the journey.

The 2022 King of the Ring event was held at KGV starting in the late afternoon running on into the early evening and the weather could not have been better. A big crowd of supporters enjoyed the atmosphere... and a few beers... and the whole show was great fun.

I was able to cover every Bout and my pics are now online here if you want to take a look:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 KING OF THE RING