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It was a busy and varied weekend of work.... just how I like it!

This time most of it revolved around sport photography and it was a reminder of how broad the whole 'sports scene' is in Guernsey. Also it showcased how the Islands sports stars can hold their own against visitors from afar... and not so far!

I've already added Galleries featuring the latest GFC game against Chertsey Town. This high ranking side in the Isthmian South Central league had to work hard for their narrow win against our side.

Another enjoyable assignment was at the Velo Club MTB XC in a fantastic setting. Those pics are also already online. See the News item below.

The latest Gallery update features seven Bouts of boxing from the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night at St Pierre Park Hotel. This was another chance for local competitors to go head to head against a visiting team and they produced some impressive performances against the Stevenage ABC team.

And just to add to the variety I also covered the 2021 Tennis Inter-insular at the Indoor Tennis Courts where the Guernsey squad really showed their class by beating Jersey 9-3. What a great finish to the weekend.

What will next weekend bring?
CLICK TO VIEW THE GUERNSEY v STEVENAGE ABC BOXING GALLERIES

It's great when a regular sort of assignment is turned into something a bit special.

Today one of my photoshoots was of an MTB Cross Country race. Nothing special about that really. I must have photographed a few dozen MTB races.

But for a photographer, once you've taken pics of a few of these events, you start looking for something to keep yourself interested. One of the best incentives is when you are offered a new or different venue as a backdrop to your pics.

That was what happened at the GVC XC. The race circuit was laid out within the grounds of an impressive local property and it offered a real mix of features. But for me it was the chance to use a vineyard as the setting for my photographs.

Also can I just remind you that there is an option when ordering pics for you to select a BLACK & WHITE version. Most of the website galleries consist of a coloured version but I do love a BLACK & WHITE print. There is something classic and timeless with a monochrome image.

If you want to see the results follow this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE MTB RACE THROUGH A VINEYARD

Conditions were pretty extreme down a Footes Lane for the clash between GFC and Chertsey Town.

A very strong and gusty wind blowing straight down the pitch meant that both sides were going to have to face that onslaught for one half of the game.

GFC were first to battle the head wind and it certainly impacted their game but they did well to return to the calm of the dressing room at half time with the score at 0-0.

The local side started the second half with new vigor, energy and speed and they created several good chances but sadly, against the run of play, Chertsey Town scored after making an unexpected break from the back.

That one goal was enough to give the visitors the win.

My pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GFC v CHERTSEY TOWN FOOTBALL

My backlog of pics keeps me busy whenever I have a few spare minutes.

Back in 2019 there was quite a bit going on around here. We were completely renovating our bungalow. My office was a monitor balanced on a small table in a corner amongst piles of boxes.

So whilst I still managed to get out to capture some pics the edits were often sidelined.

When I now look through those folders it only seems right that I make an effort to complete the edits. So today I've added a gallery of pics featuring T20 Cricket, Guernsey v Jersey at the College Field in May 2019!

It looked a beautiful day... perfect for cricket!
CLICK TO VIEW T20 CRICKET - GUERNSEY v JERSEY

With GFC playing away in the Isthmian League I was assigned to cover two local Priaulx League games.

The first game was between St Martins and Alderney however the kick-off was delayed by half an hour due to the Alderney teams flight running late.

So this impacted the time I could spend at Blanche Pierre Lane before I had to head down to North Field. However I was at the game long enough to be confident that St Martins were the likely winners and the eventual 3-1 result confirmed this.

I arrived at the North v Rovers game with 0-0 on the board. But it was soon pretty obvious that North had most of the play and they soon made their possession count. A final score of 3-0 seemed entirely fair.

My pics are now online and can be viewed by clicking these links:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ST MARTINS v ALDERNEY
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF NORTH v ROVERS

As the seasons continue to roll on today heralded the start of the Velo Club's Adventure Cycles MTB Winter Downhill series.

The track at La Pomare included the big jump for those who felt brave and the drop through the wood was slippery after the overnight rain. All this meant that there was plenty of excitement and I was particularly impressed by how many of the young riders took to the air over the big jump!

I've added a new gallery featuring the best action here:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE 1 OF THE WINTER DOWNHILL SERIES

Bracknell Town put on a show that illustrated why they are top of the Isthmian South Central league when they visited Footes Lane to play GFC.

Across the pitch their players were just a bit quicker, they anticipated the play faster and created more chances. The reward was a 0-3 score.

So this time GFC were outclassed. This brought home the reality that the previous two games GFC were probably the better side... only to give the win away late in the games. Those were missed opportunities in this competitive league.

GFC have another top of the table clash lined up for next weekend. Hopefully they can find the form to get a win.

Pics of the Bracknell Town game are online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GFC v BRACKNELL TOWN PICS

Of course I can be called biased... I am a Guernsey donkey after all!

But supporters of Guernsey Football Club can be forgiven if they were disheartened when they left Footes Lane this afternoon. They had seen their side have the illusive win snatched out of the bag late into injury time. The result is recorded as a 2-2 draw.

Perhaps GFC went off the boil at times during the game but I do love the work rate and commitment shown by all the team. I also enjoy the direct play. The team spirit can be seen to emanate from GFC's inspirational captain Ross Allen. Many times he will chase and harass opponents breaking their rhythm and making time and space for us to re-group. He is also a legendary goal scorer.

So along with all the supporters I was disappointed that GFC didn't secure that important win. But surely the reward for so much endeavor is just around the corner? Maybe the next game on Wednesday evening will give the breakthrough?

My pics have been added to a new Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v WESTFIELD FC

The Vault in St Peter Port has become the mainstay of live music in town largely due to the tireless support and organization by Mark Guillou.

Mark's involvement in the local scene goes back so far it would be rude to start quoting figures. But I'm going to guess you would need all the digits on one hand to count the decades he has been playing in bands!

Recent years has seen him settle in The Vault organizing Open Mic nights and busy weekends of live music.

I'm aware that I don't give the coverage this live venue deserves. After all, as I've already said, this is where you can be sure to get your gig fix and photographing bands is what I do!

Sadly the popularity of the Vault is what makes it a difficult place to take pics. The area around the stage is very tight to work in. Also the lighting is a real challenge. Of course both those aspects make little impact on the audience as the packed nights prove. It's just us precious photographers who complain!!!

I do however make occasional visits and I've uploaded pics from a few weeks ago when Coastal Fire Dept. and Clameur De Haro made an appearance.

Click on these links to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF COASTAL FIRE DEPT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF CLAMEUR DE HARO

Yesterday I spent the early part of the evening chasing around trying to find the Netball game that I'd been booked to photograph.

In the end the effort failed as it seems the game had been cancelled! So rather than return home without a result I sniffed out a game that was still on.

This was one of the Guernsey Netball Association's Winter Indoor League Division One games at St Sampsons High.

The teams, Liberte NGT A v Paving the Way, put on a really close contest with Paving the Way just pulling off the win, 36-32.

I'd forgotten how challenging Netball is to photograph. It's quite different to Basketball even though you could imagine they would be similar.

So I've made a note to not leave it so long again before returning. Maybe I will 'get my eye and timing' tuned if I have more practice!

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

The 2021 Siam Trophy weekend offered a full days entertainment for Guernsey and Jersey Rugby supporters at Footes Lane.

Three games had been organized. First was the Veterans game playing for the Nash Cup. The Guernsey Vets set the standard by beating Jersey Vets 55 - 19. No doubt about the best team after a score like that.

So it was the Ladies turn next and Guernsey Raiders Ladies set off at a pace and they didn't take the foot off the gas until the final whistle. The result was a score of 46 - 7. A decisive Guernsey victory over the Jersey Reds Women.

I managed to cover the later part of the second half of the ladies game and I've added a Gallery featuring those pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 LADIES SIAM TROPHY

Another Gallery update showcasing more of Guernsey's weekend sporting action has been added.

My first assignment on Sunday was to cover the latest round of the Guernsey Velo Club MTB Cross Country at La Pomare.

The track at La Pomare is a surprising find. It's situated in the rural south west amongst the fields. However the GVC have been able to use a small wooded valley to lay out a variety of twisting tracks. They are narrow and demand a level of skill from competitors.

The track is also a challenge for a photographer as movement is very restricted once a race starts. But it's worth the effort as some dynamic pics can be captured.

I've added a new Gallery featuring the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST MTB XC PICS

GFC seem to find halting the run of drawn results a difficult habit to break.

The Isthmian South-Central league doesn't give away any easy games. Most of the opponents are pro's or semi-pros so the extra time they have to train combined with greater experience means our local side of enthusiastic and talented players start each game faced with that fact.

But the GFC know how to punch above their weight and local games enjoy a 'twelfth man' in the form of the home crowd.

Our GFC squad are really well motivated and competitive and I'm sure it wont be long before they take another win!

Pics of the 2-2 draw against Thatcham Town are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v THATCHAM TOWN

Just a quick update to let you know that the latest Autocross pics are now online.

Race 4 of the Guernsey Autocross Club's Winter Championship took place in quite nice and bright conditions... meaning we didn't get wet!

Of course there are plenty more rounds of the championship to go yet. Not that I want to tempt fate!!

The pics are here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

Saturday down at Footes Lane couldn't have packed more sport onto the pitches.

Once again supporters, players and officials proved how important sport is to the community in Guernsey. The value goes beyond the simple act of following your team. It is sports 'total package' of benefits that make an immeasurable impact on so many of us.

Friendships form around the mutual enjoyment of being part of a 'clan'. Peoples busy and stressful lives can be put aside for a few hours and troubles are forgotten in the moments of elation.

There were thousands of spectators spread around Footes Lane to watch three Rugby games including the Centenary of the Siam Cup. Whilst these were taking place there were hockey games played on their pitches. And Guernsey Football Club entertained Tooting & Mitcham in the Isthmian South-Central league!

We didn't manage to win every game but did that really matter when so much good comes out of these events?

If you ever ask that question to a sportsman/competitor you will probably get a funny look and the answer. Well of course it does....

I've added a new Gallery featuring pics of the Centenary Siam Cup here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE CENTENARY SIAM CUP

The GFC win just wasn't meant to be it seems.

After holding on to a lead until well into the second half Guernsey Football Club somehow folded to two quick goals from Tooting & Micham meaning the visitors returned home with a full bag of points and broad smiles on their faces.

The Isthmian South-Central league is a tough one where a consistent winning streak needs strong commitment and concentration all the way to the end. GFC certainly have it in them to feature towards the top of this league... they just have to craft that elusive winning form.

I've added a new Gallery featuring my pics of the game here:
CLICK TO VIEW GFC v TOOTING & MITCHAM

Guernsey Athletics had a large entry for Race-2 of the FNB Cross Country Series.

The course involved laps around Delancey Park which has quite a surprising amount of ups and downs. This makes it difficult for runners to get into a rhythm.

I followed the action and there is a new Gallery online here:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE-" OF THE FNB XC SERIES

Last night I photographed Belgrave Wanderers v Rangers under flood lights at The Track. This Priaulx League game saw Bels have a dominant 3-0 win over the visiting side.

The dry and mild evening meant it was a nice place to be.... only one dark corner of the pitch (due to blown flood light bulbs) limited some of the photographers angles!

I still managed to captured some of the action. View the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW BELS v RANGERS UNDER FLOOD LIGHTS

It's great to see that Table Tennis still has an enthusiastic following in Guernsey.

I popped along to the Hougue Du Pommier last night to photograph the Whistlers Open Singles. I'm always surprised by the speed of the top players.

The Guernsey Table Tennis Association hall at Hougue Du Pommier is a great facility and of course it offers year round protection from the weather!

If your chosen sport is played outside maybe you should pop along too. If you aren't looking forward to the coming winters damp and cold you would be sure to receive a warm welcome at the Club.

I've uploaded a Gallery of my pics. Follow this link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE WHISTLERS OPEN SINGLES TABLE TENNIS

Quite a chunk of my weekends work revolved around two wheels.

There was the motorized kind and the leg powered variety! I've already added a Gallery of my GVC MTB XC pics and the latest addition features Round 4 of the GK&MC Motocross Championship.

I had a full morning of Press work before I headed off to the clifftop at Pleinmont for the MAD bikers racing... well I always think they are the MAD bunch in Motorsport!

Take a look at my pics to see how much 'air' some of them take. Yes, MAD is the right term!!

Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 4 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP