It was another fantastic evening at the athletics stadium for Ynys Môn as three more medals were won. Iolo Hughes stormed to success in the men’s 1500m. He won that event at Jersey 2015 and this time round looked even stronger, breaking the Ynys Môn record. Quickly after this, it was his sister’s turn. Cari came so close to emulating Iolo but was overtaken in the final stretch of the women’s 1500m to finish second. It’s still a great result, especially considering that Cari’s run is an Ynys Môn record, and the winner (Catherine Franklin of the IOM) got the Island Games record with her win. Cari’s time would also have smashed the Island Games record. Matching Monday’s tally of medals, Ben Sergeant notched a great bronze medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. He obliterated the Ynys Môn record by 2 minutes 45 seconds – an outstanding achievement!
Men’s Football Progress To Semis
The male footballers went into today’s game against Isle of Man in a great position, knowing that a draw would see us progress to the Semi Finals. Even a narrow loss could see Ynys Môn progress as well, but this looked unlikely within 10 minutes of the start as Isle of Man took a 1-0 lead and then had a penalty. Carl Jones pulled off a fantastic save down his left. Not long after that, Ynys Môn levelled the game at 1-1 with marksmen Liam Morris bagging again in the tournament. Shortly before half time it was that man again that struck a sweet shot right into the corner to give us the lead. Second half and it was Ynys Môn who had the better chances. They couldn’t take advantage but defended resolutely to see the game out. It’s three wins out of three and sees Ynys Môn progress to the semi finals, we believe against Bermuda on Thursday.
Sailors Navigating Tricky Conditions
Whilst most of the other sports may want blue skies and sunny weather, the sailors have been frustrated this week by calm winds. They’re still in medal contention, buoyed (intentional pun) by Dom Breen-Turner’s first place in the Race 5 of the ICLA 6 category. After six races he is placed in 5th. Michael Thorne is in 15th with four races to go. In the ILCA 7 category, Josh Metcalfe is in 6th with Ryan Seddon in 10th. They also four races remaining.
Basketball Team Win
Our men’s basketball team got the win they richly deserved today when they overcame Isle of Wight by 69-64. The game see-sawed throughout but our lads came out on top. The end of the game saw a tense finish with the IOW battling for the win, and Ynys Môn desperate to win by 10 points or more in order to qualify for the bronze medal match. It wasn’t to be and the team cruely finished 4th in the group of points differnce. They’ll now face Faroe Islands again in a positional playoff.
Sports Round Up
In the athletics Gwennan Williams nearly pulled off a surprise medal, finishing 4th in the women’s shot putt. Cadi Edwards got a PB in the women’s shot putt with a throw of 7.36m. Tudur Lloyd also bagged a PB in 1500m beating his previous best by 7 seconds! Our men’s swimmers continue clocked PBs in the 50m breaststroke heats. Matt Rankenhohn upset a home player by beating Guernsey’s David Trebert in the men’s badminton singles, but then fell to Shetland in the round of 32. The indoor bowls pairing of Adrienne Edwards and Nia Roberts came so close to causing an upset, just coming up against short 23-17 against Jersey in the Indoor Bowls Pairs. The men’s golfers started their campaigns. Jack Carter is best placed after round 1 sitting six behind the leaders in 12th place. Marc, Gaz and Sion are sat a few shots behind Jack with three rounds still to play. And finally, the shooters continue to battle away with David Jones placing 11th and Stephen Hayes 15th out of a field of 22 in the Olympic Skeet Individual.
Great to hear Ynys Mon’s successes in the Island gamesin Guernsey. Really enjoyed my visit to Jersey on 2015 when my nephew and grandson were competing in Football and Athletics. HAPPY DAYS.