As the rain beat down and the wind swept through L’ancresse, Guernsey’s men embraced everything their home course offered to complete a remarkable comeback in the annual clash with Jersey.
Both the men’s and ladies Caesarean squads travelled to enemy shores as defending champions, knowing that victories away from home are in short supply.
Pictured: The winning men's team.
But the Jersey men shrugged off the history and dominated the opening day, sweeping the opening foursomes 5-0.
Guernsey picked up 3.5 points to their opponents 1.5 in the following fourballs, with wins for the pairsings of Conor McKenna and Lewis Marley (4/3); Tom Le Huray and Danny Blondel (2/1) and Danny Bisson and Tom Pattimore (5/4), with the final pairing of Danel Griggs and Jayden Tucknott finishing all square with Andy Clarke and Jeremy Phillips.
It was a toe hold in the match, but Jersey still went into Sunday’s singles with a 6.5 to 3.5 lead.
However, the momentum just kept building in Guernsey’s favour from then on as the rain and wind built in lockstep.
Danny Blondel won the opening clash 4/3 against Alex Guelpa, Connor McKenna secured the next against Keelan Quigg 2/1 and Jamie Blondel notched up another point against Jo Hacker.
Some light came for Jersey when Charlie Kiberd beat Tom Le Huray and the match between Tom Pattimore and Sam Quail was halved.
But the wins kept coming for Guernsey and in the end they finished the singles 7.5 to 2.5 and with it secured the trophy 11-9.
Jersey retained the women’s title with a 13-7 win.
Following a 3-2 opening session win in the foursomes, Jersey swept the fourballs to take a commanding lead into the singles.
That scoreline does not tell the whole tale, with two matches claimed with 1up victories on the final hole, while another concluded on the 17th.
The sides could not be separated overall in the singles, with Guernsey winning four games thanks to Jennie Ballay, Mary Bate, Sally Ingrouille and Chloe Domaille and sharing the spoils in two more.
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