News / Blog - Sports News

The last month has been really hectic with my assignments seeming to extend the hours at both ends!

Sunday was a good example as I was out of bed a 5:45am to be down at Rocquaine Bay for the start of the Uber Triathlon and my head didn't touch the pillow until 02:30am on Monday morning!

But the fact is that I love what I do. The variety in each weeks work keeps things really interesting and I'm of the opinion that nothing is just given to you, you have to put in the effort and energy to make things happen.

I'm certainly not trying to say that my life is all work and no play as that couldn't be further from the truth.... as work actually feels like play to me!!

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to say that about the way they earn a living!

So with the edit complete a small new Gallery of pics is now online featuring the Uber Triathlon. Check it out here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UBER TRIATHLON PICS

As it seems to be the norm for a weekend I had a full day of photography which included meeting an early submission time for my pics to the Guernsey Press.

It seems that there was some sort of football game going on requiring people to get out of the office early!?

But everything ran smoothly and I've even completed one of the main edits too!

It was the final day of the 25th Guernsey Velo Club Tour of Guernsey and the action was across L'Ancresse Common. Its been a really enjoyable week following the tour around Guernsey. The events have been well supported and well run. Some riders have taken it very seriously with others treating it as a fun way to just get out and get fit.

The memorable part for me will be all the smiles, jokes and banter.

Look out.... it's only twelve months until the next one :-)

The final days pics are online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FINAL DAY OF THE ToG

The fifth day of the Guernsey Velo Club 2021 Tour of Guernsey was held above and below ground at the site of the Underground Hospital.

It's always a thought that I'd like to take pics inside the tunnels however I know how hard it is to even capture good pics of runners (with the main tunnel lights on). When you factor the extra speed of the MTB bikes and the fact that the only light comes from their headlights it's not really worth the gamble.

So it was up in the fields for me.... and I captured some great action.

Take a look at the Galleries here:
CLICK TO VIEW ALL THE 2021 TOUR OF GUERNSEY PICS

Quick by nature, quick by subject.... quick by edit.

It's all go around here!

The speedy GVC Tour of Guernsey took to the slopes at Petit Bot for Day-3 of the racing and I balanced precariously on a slippery bank to capture some of the action!

My edit is now complete and can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF DAY-3 OF THE GVC ToG

Day 2 of the 2021 GVC Tour of Guernsey was held in Ronez Quarry which always produces different pics from the normal scenes.

This was the first view (above) that I had of the competitors returning up the hill after checking the track. There was an air of wet expectation before their timed run.

I really enjoy photographing this event and it was no different this year however it was certainly uncomfortable down in the bottom of the huge hole waiting for the action to start.... whilst the heavens opened!

Ultimately (after drying out) I was really please with my pics as the overcast light really added to the soggy feel of the event!

So that's another days edit sorted and I've added the pics to two new Galleries, this time a Juniors and a Seniors. Follow this link to the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2021 GVC TOUR OF GUERNSEY

This years Guernsey Velo Club MTB Tour of Guernsey represents an impressive 25th time it has been run... or should that be ridden?

Once again it will be a busy and tiring week for the riders as they take on varied tracks meaning the winners will have to master all sorts of conditions.

Indeed the Day-1 event was very challenging in some sections after the overnight rain made for some very slippery areas.

But it was impressive that most competitors still had smiles on their faces even after uttering a few expletives when seeing some of the new downhill sections!

Everything is in place for a very enjoyable week. Keep returning to this website for the updates.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 TOUR OF GUERNSEY

Well you shouldn't always believe what it says on the tin.... or in this case the Facebook invitation!

I was looking forward to popping down to the Vazon Bay sands to photograph an event that was headlined 'Sunset Surf Tri'.

This ticked most of my boxes as the Triathlon events are always great fun to photograph... and add in a nice sunset as a background = happy photographer!

Sadly the early evening start was fairly chilly but more importantly the anticipated sunset was replaced by an offshore sea mist. So no chance of capturing the warm glow of a setting sun.

But in the end my pics had a different feel with the even light giving a more high key look to the pics and I still managed to enjoy photographing this new event.

I've added two galleries of pics with the Juniors one needing a password from me to gain access. There is a link on the Junior gallery thumbnail to allow you to request the password.

Maybe next time I photograph this event I'll be able to tick all the boxes, including the sunset!!?

Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUNSET SURF TRI PICS

Last night I covered the Guernsey Softball Association Slow Pitch League game at Beau Sejour - Rangers Softball v Barber Blue Jays.

This game took place in perhaps the most difficult conditions for a photographer... especially one who wears glasses!

The light level was low and a heavy fine drizzle was being driven into the camera lens and my face making visibility really hard.

Luckily the camera seemed to have more luck handling the challenge than I did and after completing the edit I was actually quite pleased with the results!

It's just a shame that the pics give little idea of the discomfort I had when taking them!!

I've added a new Gallery featuring my pics of the game:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE DAMP SOFTBALL GAME

This Sunday my morning started in a more relaxed style than a week ago when I awoke late for the Triathlon.

It's never a good way to start a day when you are still in bed when you are meant to be taking pics of the start of an event.... in 25 minutes time!!

I did actually make it to the start line last week but my equilibrium was trashed for the rest of the morning!

No such problems though this morning. My internal body clock told me to wake at six and I even had time for breakfast before heading to Chouet for the Guernsey Velo Club Criterum.

The morning was dry but the cloud cover meant that the light was subdued and the colours were saturated. That'll do for this photographer.

The racing was great as the total circuit only took maybe less than eight minutes so there was always something happening... not like the eight MILE long circuits where you get to see the action just three of four times.

More action.... that'll do nicely for this photographer!

I've just added a new gallery of my pics. Follow this link to view them:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PIC OF THE GVC CHOUET CRIT

Recent weekends have been really busy for me.

I've been covering the Guernsey Press photographic assignments whilst they fill the post left vacant after Adie Miller took a deserved retirement after decades in the job. I won't embarrass him by putting a figure on it but he must be way old!!!

Sadly I'm even older!!!

But with us enjoying a lovely spell of dry and sunny weather it has been a real pleasure to photograph some of the events taking place all around the Island.

I must find the time to put a few galleries online featuring my pics as they would illustrate just how much there is for all of us to see and do.

The 'There's nothing to do over here' brigade please be silent!

For now I've added a few pics of Sunday's Triathlon and Round 6 of the Karting championship. Follow these links to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE TRIATHLON PICS
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 6 OF THE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

This evening I enjoyed a relaxed hour in the warmth of the disappearing sun at Beau Sejour.

I was photographing the Guernsey Softball league game between the Rookies and Buccaneers.

This sport has a long history as I recall my father telling me he used to watch games when he was a youngster living near Amherst School.

There is something special about the pace of a Softball game. Firstly, it's all over after an hour. The action proceeds steadily with dramatic highlights when a batsman connects and runs for home. It's also a game that works well with mixed gender teams.

The final result had the Rookies taking an impressive win... 18-3 over the Buccaneers.

I've added a new Gallery featuring some of the action:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SOFTBALL ROOKIES v BUCCANEERS

Well it's safe to say that Guernsey is buzzing again with action and entertainment!

I've had a non-stop weekend but its been fantastic fun in the Sun.

Everything has revolved around taking pics at twelve different events.... so the edit has begun!

Us Guerns have been taking full advantage of our Covid free Island and the variety of entertainments, sports, attractions and scenery available to enjoy in the sun is really something special!

NEVER let it be said that there is NOTHING to do!!

For starters I've added the GVC Frie Baton Long Circuit pics. They can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GVC FRIE BATON ROAD RACE

KGV was alive with youthful energy, excitement and passion for the game of football when the Rangers Super Seven Tournament hit the turf... and all weather pitches.

I was assigned to capture some of the action and atmosphere for the Guernsey Press. This was the most enjoyable job for me. The only disappointment was that I had a full list of assignments meaning there was a very limited time slot to complete the work.

However with games lasting just eight minutes it really was none-stop action!

This gallery displays my pics...
CLICK TO VIEW THE RANGERS SUPER SEVEN GALLERY

I was originally booked to only take pics of the final game in the 2021 men's basketball championship. But at the last minute an earlier job was cancelled so I arrived at St Sampsons High just in time to capture a few pics of the final ladies game of the season.

The concluding game of the 2021 Ladies Basketball championship began in the knowledge that Ravenscroft were already champions. As the game progressed it was clear that they were worthy winners as they took an impressive lead over Le Mont Saint.

But the spirit within the Le Mont Saint team kept them smiling and it was clear that the players were enjoying their freedom in Guernsey to live a sporting life 'as normal' and Covid free!

The main game was between Mayside and Skipton men's.

This was a crucial end of season game with Mayside needing to win by a sizable margin to get their name on the trophy. But ultimately it was Skipton who showed the extra commitment and skill to take the win and the seasons championship.

I've added two Galleries featuring action from these two games:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE END OF SEASON BASKETBALL GAMES

Sylvans scored an impressive 5-2 win over Belgrave Wanderers when they met at St Peters in the 2021 Guernsey FA Cup quarter-finals.

I'm guessing that the early 18:15 start was to ensure that the daylight would last until the end of the game as the pitch up at St Peters doesn't have any lighting.

Of course this was just what the photog's ordered... none of us fancy trying to capture the action under poor levels of light!

As a special bonus the early evening was blessed with glorious warm illumination and once I was perched low down and sheltered from the strong wind I was in a 'happy place'!

My pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SYLVANS v BELGRAVE WANDERERS PICS

I was assigned to pop along to the Guernsey Table Tennis Association's Island Singles event by the Guernsey Press.

The brief was pretty simple. I just needed a few pics of the likely champions. It should have been a quick in and out visit.

However I really enjoyed watching the fast paced action with several of the games being very close.

So I was easily distracted and ended up watching through to the end!

I did still manage a few pics though and they are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SINGLES TABLE TENNIS FINALS

In the 'long gone' days when I had a social life a Sunday morning was sure to see me rise with a hangover after a heavy Saturday night. Back then an early morning fresh, biting and chilly northerly wind would have been welcomed. Indeed it would have been just what the Doctor ordered.

However as time has passed I no longer (at least rarely) need such 'medicine' on a Sunday. It is far more likely that at 6am I am tucked up cozily in bed and reluctant to move!

But thankfully I'm still invigorated and motivated by what I do... that's taking pics if you haven't noticed! to find the will to go out searching for the latest sporting action whatever the weather.

So I was wrapped up against the wind when I was down on the west coast to photograph the GVC Road Race on the Coudre Circuit.

My pics of the event are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY PICS OF THE GVC COUDRE CIRCUIT ROAD RACE

It was an early start for me this morning to allow me to get 'out west' to L'Eree for the final event in the Guernsey Velo Club PVK Easter series.

The Road Race had a good size entry with riders enjoying much more comfortable weather conditions compared to the previous morning!

Many supporters also turned out to take advantage of our return to normal life after the lifting of the Covid lockdown.

The smiles and chatter at the finish line suggested that we are all aware how lucky we are to be able to resume our chosen pastimes.

I've added a new Gallery featuring some of my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GVC EASTER ROAD RACE

Normal service is beginning to return to our Island home.

I popped along to the Hougue du Pommier Table Tennis Centre to photograph a little bit of league action as this popular Island sport returned to its fixtures after the lifting of the second Covid lockdown.

I only had a few minutes between assignments but I managed to capture some of the action.

Follow this link to view the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST TABLE TENNIS ACTION

Rovers took a step closer to picking up the Jeremie Cup in 2021 when they beat the Northerners at Blanche Pierre Lane. 24-03-2021.

The Club has never won this 119-year-old silverware and now only have to win against St Martins in the June final. I guess that many 'neutrals' will be wishing the Rovers good luck in their historic quest!

Jake Stephens made a dream debut for Rovers by scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 win, so playing an important part in making Club history.

I've added a small Gallery of pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE ROVERS v NORTHERNERS JEREMIE CUP SEMI-FINAL