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I've be lucky to spend the whole weekend photographing Sports in Guernsey. I think many people don't realise the variety and how much Sport is played every day on our Island.

Highlights for me were the Inter-insular Volleyball - nail biting to the end, the 2-Day Trials all over the Island, GVC Downhill Racing at Talbot Valley and the Boxfit night at Beau Sejour.... in fact I lost count of how many hours I was at Beausie!!

I'm working through the edit and the first photos are of the Gravity races. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 1 OF THE 2024 GVC GRAVITY SERIES

I think that Volleyball might have just become my favourite indoor Sport to photograph.

Maybe it's just that I don't get along to the Guernsey Volleyball events as much as I do some other Sports. But I think it's a bit more than that alone.

Volleyball is fast moving with play spread all around the court. It's often quite a challenge to keep up with the action! Because my work often has a repetitive side to it, a bit like most jobs I guess, I have built up a sort of 'muscle memory' of the photographic techniques needed for most Sports. This means that when photographing the 'unfamiliar' Volleyball I really need to work hard at capturing the best moments of action. It's fun and a challenge... and I love it!

So one of my New Years resolutions is now to visit the Volleyball courts a few more times in 2024.

I've uploaded photos of the weekends Inter-insular Volleyball games to the new website. Click the link to view them:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2024 INTER-INSULAR VOLLEYBALL

On Saturday night we were able to enjoy a live performance of Guernsey's alt-grunge Band Tantale at St James Guernsey. They played their most recent Album 'Where Nothing Ends' in full.

Tantale left nothing in the locker when planning this gig. They were supported by The Bare Minimum, Flexagon and the GLC - The Guernsey Laser Company. The stage also used projected images to enhance the experience.

The result was an incredible show that showcased what talent the Island is blessed with across all aspects of live music.... including great sound, imaginative graphics and stage design. Amazing and memorable stuff!

I revelled in the music and the Lasers made me a bit trigger happy too!

If you want see a taste of what you missed when you decided to stay at home on Saturday night (shame on you)..... give the link below a click:
CLICK TO VIEW PPHOTOS OF TANTALE AT ST JAMES

The Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club welcomed a Wales Select team to St Pierre Park Hotel for the March 2024 'Boxing at the Park'.

On this occasion the visitors proved to be too strong in depth across the bouts.

But the amount of split decisions illustrated how well the Guernseymen stood toe-to-toe with the Welshmen.

Here's a link to my photos if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW GUERNSEY v WALES SELECT DINNER BOXING

It is easier for supporters when your side isn't expected to win a game. No-one has any unrealistic hopes. This scenario will occur when the opposition heads the league whilst your team is placed somewhere in the middle.

Wednesday night at Footes Lane was one of those occasions. Guernsey FC welcomed Chertsey Town who were sitting pretty at the top of the Isthmian South Central League.

So having no real expectations we could just settle into watching a hopefully descent game. There were a few good moments but with no surprise a score of 2-6 brought home the reality. Having got that fixture out of the way GFC can put their energy into adding to their points against teams nearer to their own level.

I captured some of the action. Click the link to view the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW GFC v CHERTSEY TOWN

I spent my weekend at Beau Sejour covering the Netball Inter-insulars against Jersey.

It is a reflection on the strong performances by all the Guernsey teams that local supporters probably left after the games satisfied that their teams had played really well... but sadly for little reward.

It was left to the Guernsey Over 30's to ensure that it wasn't a complete red-wash.

From my perspective I enjoyed the challenge of capturing the action of such a fast moving Sport.

I managed to photograph four of the games. So far I've added photo galleries of the Under 19's and Over 30's. Others will follow.

Click this link if you want to view the 2024 Inter-insular Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW THE NETBALL INTER-INSULAR PHOTOS

Photos of the 2024 Haute Capelles School Charity 'Ladies Night' Catwalk Show in support of the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation are now online.

A full evening of entertainment had been organised offering the opportunity to 'Buy a Night' in one of the foundations three flats.

All the 'pre-loved' dresses were on sale after the show and combined with a meat draw and raffle draw hundreds of pounds were raised for the PPBF. What a great success.

A donation to the PPBF will be made from any picture sales made on my website.

Click here to view the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 PPBF CATWALK PHOTO GALLERY

What a great night of sport for the 2024 February Fury fight night at Beau Sejour on Saturday. The two teams went toe-to-toe in every bout with the final result being a draw.

Well done to both the Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club and the visitors from Merseyside & Cheshire. You certainly entertained the crowd!

The first of my edit of photos are now online if you are interested. Please click the link below if you want to view the Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 FEBRUARY FURY PHOTOS

Well I think Sunday's MTB XC at the Underground Hospital had to be one of the muddiest so far! And it was raining from every direction at the same time... or so it seemed! Horrible to keep a lens clean.

I managed to capture a few photos. And if you think they lack mud, well you're right. This photographer is old and wise. I headed for the shelter of the hill and firmer ground 😉

My photos are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW THE MTB XC PHOTOS AT THE UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL

This was my first visit to the Guernsey Women's Basketball League this year.

I get the feeling that the women's game is becoming stronger every time I photograph them.

Basketball is a much more physical sport when compared to netball but this certainly doesn't stop the ladies enjoying their play!

I've added a gallery featuring the latest photos of the game between Ravenscroft and Oracle Diamonds here:
CLICK TO VIEW RAVENSCROFT v ORACLE DIAMONDS

The first half of the FNB Priaulx League game between Rovers and Saints passed without too much drama but the second half was a little more interesting, Rovers took a lead when the Saints goalie fumbled the ball after a back pass.

A 1-0 result for Rovers would have reflected the balance of play but the home side gave away an equaliser from a free kick! It's never over until the final whistle!

I captured some of the action and the photos can be viewed here if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FNB PRIAULX LEAGUE FOOTBALL PHOTOS

Sometimes it is good to have so many different sports to photograph.

The variety offers a backup when something goes wrong with one genre as probably there is an alternative to bail me out... I'm talking about having a sport or two to photograph each weekend.

To give you an example. The wet winter we have experienced has meant that many football games have been cancelled due to the pitch being soft, wet and muddy. But, as I stated, I usually have a back-up plan!

In this case? Well I name a sport that loves soft ground and MUD. It can only be Motocross!

I headed off to Pleinmont on Saturday morning to photograph the GK&MC championship racing and the mud was just about perfect!

I had to leave early to be at Port Soif for a 2pm footie game - and just to prove that sometimes all things turn out well - the pitch was perfect too. Happy days!

My Motocross photos are now online if you are interested:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS RACING

Round 6 of the Cycleworld Cyclecross Series was raced around the grounds of Blanchelande College. The circuit made use of the fields and gradients together with the hard surfaces... so a bit of everything really!

Oh, it was a serious workout for the riders too!

The morning started with rain but this eased to leave us with a misty scene. Something that really helps a photographer so I was a happy chappie!

I've completed the edit of my photos and they are now online. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 6 OF THE CYCLOCROSS SERIES

I was late in arriving at Chouet for the latest Autocross meeting but it was still worth making the effort. The different track layout offered some great shots.

There was plenty of sand... well we were on a beach! But it was the pools of water that were the stars. It's hard to beat the drama of a Banger at full chat splashing through standing water!

My gallery of photos is now online if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PHOTOS

A HUGE well done to St James Guernsey for organizing the two nights of the Decibel Weekender. Gig goers were treated to a great line-up of bands including many top visiting artists.

The venue has been busy over the last couple of years working on the performance space. Clearly a big investment has been made in state of the art sound systems and the acoustics are sorted with new curtains. And to top it off there is new lighting..... just to keep the photographers happy you understand!!

Keep an eye on the St James diary for the next events... there are many!

I did my bit and took a few photos of both nights. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 ST JAMES DECIBEL WEEKENDER PHOTOS

There was a good entry for ROUND 3 of the GVC MTB XC series.

Riders were treated to a ready supply of bacon butties and a really special circuit to race on.

Situated just across the road from the reservoir the track offered everything that makes XC MTB a challenge... different surfaces, tight technical sections, gradients and open straights.

There was even a bonus for photographers as the vineyard and reservoir sections offered me a variety of backdrops for my photos. A win, win, I think!

And speaking of photos, I've uploaded a gallery if you want to take a look?
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST GVC MTB XC PHOTOS

Those amazing men and women in their stripped out Bangers were back on the Chouet sands for the first time in 2024 on Sunday.

Each of the cars has to be stripped of all glass to avoid polluting the white sands. But that alone is not enough as it was clear that the winter evenings had been spent removing EVERYTHING that isn't essential to making the car move!

Extra modifications are also made to the cooling systems to avoid radiators becoming clogged with sand. Roll cages and 'crash plates' are also added to the sides. Better safe than sorry!

All this work removes the individual identity of the cars and often it is nearly impossible to recognise the make and model!

I popped along to Chouet to capture some of the action and my photos can be viewed by clicking this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2024 BANGER RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS

As I have just a couple more birthdays before I hit 70 years (I hope) I think I may have learned a few lessons along the way. That is one of the few 'benefits' of getting older. Age brings with it a lifetime of making mistakes. But as we know, this also brings the wisdom to NOT make the same mistake again! If only, eh!!

I mention this as the young Under 18's Guernsey football team all learnt a lesson in last Friday's Stranger Cup game against Bels. I was only there for the first half during which the youngers put on the style with their confident and skilful performance.

They only slipped up in added time by giving away a single goal but they left the pitch with a well deserved lead of 3-1.

I then had to leave to photograph a Basketball game and I was quite surprised when I was given updates on the second half of the football to hear that Bels had turned the game around and into a 4-3 lead!

This is where my comments above come into it. It seems, from reports I heard, that in the second half the U18's sat back on their lead and they let Bels come back into the game. Hopefully they have learnt a lesson... and remember it!

However you should never rule out a second twist in any sport because the U18's did managed to score one more goal to pull back to a 4-4 draw.

But could it have been different? Maybe next time they will have learnt from their mistakes!

I've uploaded a few pics if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW THE BELS v GUERNSEY U18's STRANGER CUP PHOTOS

....and another update!

Photos of the Stranger Cup football at St Peters, Sylvans v Rovers, are now online. Unfortunately for me I missed the only goal of the game as the ball hit the back of the net just as I was walking down the drive at St Peters Sylvans.

I guess that sort of thing will happen when my two assignments on Saturday afternoon were both at 2pm... one at Bordeaux and the other at St Peters! I've got some pretty big lenses but that's pushing things a bit too far!

However I did get enough photos of the footie to make up a Gallery. Click the link if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW SYLVANS v ROVERS IN THE STRANGER CUP

I enjoyed photographing a Cornerstone Basketball League game on Friday night.

There was a new team on court facing Le Mont Saint in the men's league.

The V1Pistons team was made up of a lot of faces familiar to me but between the two teams there were a few less familiar too.
It's always healthy to bring in new blood and youth as this keeps everyone on their toes and it can re-invigorate the passion amongst the old timers!

I hope to pop along to more games soon as the sport is always entertaining.

My time was limited as I had already covered the first half of a Stranger Cup football game but I've added a new Basketball gallery with a few pics here if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW LE MONT SAINT v V1PISTONS BASKETBALL