Former Wales star ‘honoured’ to represent Guernsey in home Worlds
Guernsey’s mixed pairs campaigners are embracing the excitement of a home World Bowls Indoor Championships.
But that alone was not enough for Jason Greenslade, a former British Isles champion who has moved to Guernsey, and Rose Ogier to overcome Scotland’s classy Julie Forrest and Michael Stepney in their opening match. Both Scottish players are previous singles champions in this event.
The Sarnians held their own to win the first set 6-4, before ultimately losing the second 10-5 and being edged in a single-end shoot-out at the GIBA Centre.
Greenslade was justified in feeling it could have gone either way.
‘I think as long as we can play well, we should do well, and we might win,’ he said.
‘We played a very, very good pair. You know, the game could have gone either way... I don’t think we had the best of luck.
‘We played a world-class pair and on paper, they’re probably the best pair here, but I thought we certainly stood up to them and it was an even game.’
Greenslade has previously won ‘Worlds’ singles silver and pairs gold as a Wales player.
But, having moved to the island in 2022, he feels equally patriotic when representing Guernsey.
‘To represent any country, it is an honour, and I don’t think it should be taken lightly.
‘For me to represent Guernsey after Wales, it feels the same. I feel as if I’ve settled in, the club have been very, very kind, and I do feel a Guernsey player.
‘The week of this tournament, I’ve put a bit more pressure on myself because I just want to do well for the team, Rose, and our sport.’
The excitement of this home World Championships was not lost on Ogier.
‘It’s also daunting, because it’s on your home turf and you feel you should have the advantage,’ she said. ‘It is nice to be at home, because then you can at least go home and take a break between games, which can be important.’
Having spent much of the weekend in the company of world-class players from 31 countries, Ogier has also heard plenty of praise for the facilities.
‘A lot of players are saying how good the green is.
‘There have been some really good comments about the green already for those players who have been able to practice beforehand. And we’ve got a new carpet – it’s great facilities.’
