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The Guernsey Baskeball League winners wont be decided until the last games of the season. It's going to be a nail biting finish.

One of the possible outcomes was sorted at Beau Sejour on Wednesday in a game that matched Praxis Pumas against Ravenscroft.

It was Ravenscroft who looked the stronger side. For a time it seemed they would have a comfortable win but the Praxis Pumas didn't read the script. After trailing by 10+ points they fought back to be one down.

However Ravenscroft dug deeper, changed up a gear and enjoyed a worthy win.

This leaves the game on Friday as the possible decider. If Comets win they win the league, if they lose Ravenscroft just need to beat Le Mont Saint to take the title!

I've uploaded my pics of Tuesdays game here:
CLICK TO VIEW PRAXIS PUMAS v RAVENSCROFT

Here is a quick link to my recent assignment to photograph the T&C Roofing Snooker League at the Gremlin Club.

These jobs are always interesting as a photographer is probably the last person the players want to see when they bend to set up their next shot.

The technique I use is to chose the longest and fastest lens that will work in the room. That way I hope to be back out in the darkest part of the room - but still be in line of their shot.

The next thing that is (or used to be) a problem was the 'clatter' that a professional level camera makes when the shutter is pressed.

Maybe you noted that I said 'used to'.

One of the great benefits that the modern mirror-less cameras give to a photographer is the freedom of not having to worry about that 'clatter' at a crucial moment of play. It's a revelation!

Shooting Golf also benefits from the Mirror-less advantage.

Just for your information I was shooting with a NIKON Z9. NIKON have been my choice of camera for decades and I love them.

I've added a small gallery of T & C Roofing Snooker League here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SNOOKER LEAGUE PICS

Now we all know that sometimes we are in just the right place, sometimes we aren't!

These things are in the lap of the Gods... or so we like to think.

But maybe not? I ask this as, if it is JUST down to random luck, how is it that Russ Allen seems to be in just the right place at the right time so often? Clearly talent can swing the odds in his favour.

This question also holds relevance to my work as a photographer. But clearly I'm not so talented in my positioning.

Yesterday at the GFC v Marlow football Russ 'found' himself in the perfect spot to score GFC's first goal. Actually I was quite well placed to capture the complete sequence including the celebration. Maybe luck, maybe talent? That is the question. Ha, ha.

But my luck/talent had worn off for the second GFC goal as when Sam Murray scored with a dramatic overhead kick my view was mostly blocked. You can just make out his flying boot in my pics.... if you look carefully!

Hmmm, I enjoyed having a bit of talent... while it lasted!

Now I've decided that to make myself feel better I'm going to go with the idea that everything is just down to luck. Good and bad! What do you think?

My GFC v Marlow pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY GFC v MARLOW PICS

After being dry, warm and comfortable whilst grabbing a few pics of the Women's Basketball at Beau Sejour I had to make the dash to Footes Lane for the GFC v South Park football.

There was plenty of time to cover these two events even though their start times were just 15 minutes apart.

The only bit that bothered me was the weather forecast... Rain or Drizzle imminent.

And of course that is what greeted me as I arrived at Footes Lane... Heavy drizzle!!

But a little bit of weather can't be enough to stop a Sports photographer. In fact, frustratingly, those conditions will often provide the best pics!

The reward for the discomfort came in the form of a second home win in a row for GFC. Keep up the good work guys! I'll see you on Saturday - hopefully in the dry.

A few pics of the GFC v South Park game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v SOUTH PARK

The Guernsey Basketball Women's League is proving to be a very competitive one this season with potentially a three-way battle lined up for the finish.

Against that background the game between two of the contenders, Imperium Comets v Ravenscroft Ladies, was a crucial one.

The result went to the Comets who showed their willingness to fight right to the end... a perfect example of why Basketball can be so entertaining to follow.

My short visit to Beau Sejour produced a small Gallery of pics. Click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW IMPERIUM COMETS v RAVENSCROFT LADIES

Where there was darkness, now there is light.....

When I was given some assignments I used to think I was in someones (the Picture Editor's) bad book as they were so frustrating and challenging.

Assignments that made the list were night games in the Guernsey Football League. The thing with those jobs was that the floodlighting was abysmal! I think it could have been improved if the Clubs had simply asked the supporters to bring a torch!

But everything comes (eventually) to those who wait patiently. And I'm pleased to say that I'm now officially a 'happy chappie' photographer.

This pleasant experience occurred on Tuesday evening after I had 'that call' asking me to cover the Ravenscroft League Under 18's football game between North and Sylvans at North Field. Kick off time 19.30.

Now North Field was one of the dark holes I used to hate... but not now. New, modern floodlights have been fitted and what was a horrible job is now pure pleasure.

I haven't stopped smiling!

You can view the pics I took by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW U18's NORTH v SYLVANS

I photographed four events over the weekend and this meant I literally traveled from the top of Guernsey to the bottom and back again including a few places in between!

One of the jobs was on the south coast cliffs and conditions on Sunday were perfect at the Motocross track for the latest Guernsey Velo Club MTB Cross Country races.

Riders clearly agreed as there was a large entry for both races.

Pics of Round 4 of the GVC XC series are now online. Lots and lots of pics in two folders.... Juniors and Seniors.

Follow this link to view all the MTB Galleries:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE MTB GALLERIES

As expected my assignment to cover Division One Basketball at Beau Sejour was full of action, entertainment and tension.

As a sport Basketball seems to be perfectly designed to yield fast paced action and drama and that was certainly on offer in the game between Edmundson Electrical Chargers and Le Mont Saint.

The Chargers finished on top but they had to fight back from a 22 point deficit to take the win. In the final seconds of play it could have gone either way!

I highly recommend to you, if you are bored with the TV schedules, to pop along to one of the Basketball nights at Beau Sejour. You are guaranteed to be entertained.

You can view my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL CHARGERS v LE MONT SAINT

Nice work GFC. That was an important win against Sutton Common Rovers. The local team worked hard to hold on to the one goal lead against a side that lacked discipline. This ended in them having a player sent off.

Of course. as we have seen many times before a team seems to raise its game when playing one man down and Rovers certainly pressurised Guernsey FC in the final minutes.

But the GFC defence held strong as the final whistle was blown. An very important win GFC.

Now on to the next one👍

I've uploaded a few pics of the game here:
CLICK TO VIEW GFC v SUTTON COMMON ROVERS

What a roller-coaster that was at the Rugby on Saturday.

Guernsey Raiders faced a tough game against Henley Hawks on a blustery pitch at Footes Lane.

But it was the Raiders who made the best of the conditions and held a narrow lead at half-time. After the re-start Raiders worked hard and managed to pull out a fourteen point advantage. Things were beginning to look positive.

But as we know, a team needs to maintain discipline and motivation all the way to the end and the Raiders seemed to give away their advantage allowing Henley Hawks the chance to take a one point lead on the 77th minute!

However Raiders were then given one more chance to take the win after a penalty was given. But this last kick of the game was missed as the ball floated in the strong wind.

So like I said above it had been a fairground ride of emotions leaving us with a final score of 26-27.

I've added a new Gallery featuring my pics of the game here:
CLICK TO VIEW GUERNSEY RAIDERS v HENLEY HAWKS

GFC continue to struggle to find winning form in the Isthmian South Central League.

Saturday's game against Thatcham Town was as frustrating for the players and Coaching staff as it was for the supporters.

We all left Footes Lane at full-time hoping that maybe next time we will have something to celebrate?

I've uploaded a new Gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC PLAYING THATCHAM TOWN

Well that was hard work (for riders and me!). The festive overindulgence's were there to be seen on the faces of some of the riders (and me!) at today's Guernsey Velo Club Cross Country.

A course had been laid out around the Guet. As many of you will know the lay of the land around the old fort and lookout is steep and slippery. The old conifers have laid down a thick layer of pine needles on the slopes and the tree roots hide ready to throw a rider out of the saddle and into the brambles!

However, maybe because of those seasonal festivities, there was a good sized entry for the first MTB race in 2023 and the weather behaved... it was the afternoon before I got a soaking at the GFC football game!

I've now uploaded a gallery of MTB XC pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FIRST MTB RACE IN 2023

Well I had hoped to start 2023 with a nice comfortable assignment.

But it seems that was a little too much to hope for. The 2023 New Years Day Handicap Cross Country was blessed with a damp start.

Luckily the rain didn't really turn out to be very heavy and the mild morning meant that being out in the fresh air was a good choice after New Years eve!

My return visit to L'Ancresse was for the Guernsey Athletics New Years Day Handicap Cross Country. The format of the race meant that there was no mass start so I concentrated on the finish and it turned out that the handicaps did their work leading to a packed finish of the mid-field.

I've added a new Gallery featuring my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 NEW YEARS DAY CROSS COUNTRY

A bit of disk cleaning on a rainy day - well there isn't much more to do in this horrible weather!!

So I've just uploaded a few pics of the 2022 CI Table Tennis Qualifiers which failed to get ticked off the never ending 'To-Do' list! Well they ARE ticked off now ;-)

Here's the link to the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 CI TABLE TENNIS QUALIFIERS

The weather Gods have been looking after me for the last few photo assignments.

Over the Christmas break I've had to photograph the Boxing Day Cross Country, a Junior Football Tournament and a Trials Bike event.

All of these happened in dry weather and were comfortable because of that. The fact that outside of those times it seems to have rained almost none stop makes me feel that I've been somewhat lucky!

So now the question is... 'How long will my good luck last?'

I'm hoping to hold on to the good fortune for a little longer into the New Year with my first job being another Cross Country on New Years Day.... watch this space for the answer!!

For now I've just uploaded a few pics of the Boxing Day XC here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 BOXING DAY CROSS COUNTRY

Guernsey Junior football was showcased during the 2022 John Brehaut Trophy Tournament at the KGV.

I spent a couple of hours photographing the games and I was impressed by the talent and enthusiasm shown by the youngsters. I covered the Under 13's games as teams progressed through to the finals.

The weather was nice and bright and dry so a good crowd of parents were there to support the Clubs. As each game lasted just fifteen minutes there was always some action to follow.

As the tournament progressed to the semi-finals there was even high drama as one of the finalists had to be decided by a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. I actually lost count of how many penalties needed to be taken to split the teams but when I noticed that players came up to take their THIRD penalty it was an amazing climax.

Congratulations to the Rovers team on winning the trophy and all the other Clubs for making the event so entertaining.

I've added a new Gallery featuring some of the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 U13 JOHN BREHAUT TOURNAMENT

The weather turned up in all its wintry glory for the Guernsey Athletics Cross-Country Championships.

Runners were given the full challenge of the elements combined with a course that ticked most of the 'off-road' boxes.

The track was laid out using all the slopes and terrain that Rocquettes Cider Farm could offer. Even a dip into a steam at the bottom of the valley!

The rain, thunder and lightening made things a bit more interesting and the dark cloud cover challenged this photographer too.

But ultimately I really enjoyed photographing the event and surprisingly there were even smiles on the athletes faces!

I've added a Senior and Junior gallery featuring some of the competitors:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

To-do list:

Get up
Have breakfast
Dress according to the weather... it's raining!
Drive to the Forest
Photograph Round 2 of the GVC Winter XC Series
Drive home
Dry cameras
Hot cup of coffee to warm up
Upload pics to computer
Wash mud off boots
Dry clothes
Another coffee to warm up
Edit MTB XC pics
Upload pics to website
Eat Sunday Roast, very nice
Write this Blog

A Sunday (workday) for a Sports photographer!

The latest pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 2 OF THE GVC WINTER XC SERIES

When you commit to follow your favorite team in any sport you leave your emotions open to all the highs and lows that go with being a supporter.

You suffer when they lose, get frustrated when they get a draw and you think they should have won! Then there are the moments of elation when your team achieves a notable win!

This was the case at Footes Lane on Saturday when Guernsey Raiders notched up a deserved win, 34-17, against the visiting Canterbury RFC.

It was great to see an on form Raiders do their thing. We will enjoy that moment and hope the next one is just around the corner!

I captured some of the action and you can view the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW GUERNSEY RAIDERS v CANTERBURY

Two consecutive nights of Sports photography alongside indoor courts highlighted the differences between Netball and Basketball.

If you strip all the rules and details (I know you can't) out of the games of Netball and Basketball then you may convince yourself that if you have developed the technique and timing to photograph one of them then it will be simple to photograph the other.

As I said above, surely the stripped out version of each of these sports leaves us with a similar court with teams throwing a ball around and scoring in a basket... so what could be so different?

But as I photographed both sports on following evenings it highlighted to me that I needed to time my shots differently. Also I needed to follow different aspects of the games.

With Basketball you succeed mostly by following the player with the ball. They will likely attack the defense and contact will be made. There you have the 'peak' action captured.

However as Netball is a non contact sport and players mustn't move with the ball the focus becomes the 'catching' of a pass when a player may leap and stretch or have a pass blocked.

Because Netball isn't played with the same contact I find it much more challenging to get great shots. Also I have photographed Netball a lot less. So maybe I simply have to practice on this sport a bit more?

There are two new Galleries featuring these latest photo-shoots here:
CLICK TO VIEW NETBALL_BLAZE v SPECSAVERS LIGHTNING A
CLICK TO VIEW BASKETBALL_SKIPTON v LE MONT SAINT