HAVING failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games men’s and ladies’ singles in Melbourne, Jersey duo Allan Quémard and Karina Bisson did well in the classification round-robins, which will help officials structure the draw next time around – in New Delhi in 2010.

Bisson was in particularly good form, as she took on and beat the players who, like her, had finished third in their groups, and was rewarded with a creditable ninth place overall.

It was some achievement, given the standard of opposition, not only in the original sections, but in the classification groups as well, with England’s Ellen Falkner, Scotland’s Margaret Letham and Samoa’s Tangata Mou Tokorangi all falling under the Jersey star’s spell.

Letham, who was runner up in World Bowls in Moama in 2000, took a set off Bisson, but she overwhelmed Falkner, the 26-year-old WBT world Matchplay champion, in straight sets, 10-4, 12-3 – an impressive aggregate of 22-7.

A 9-6, 11-7 win over Tokorangi completed a clean sweep in the section, and must have had Bisson ruing her straight-sets defeat at the hands of Welsh Hope Betty Morgan in the opening match of the Games.

Quémard, too, had a good time in the classification sessions, beating Kenya’s Michael Ouma and Niue’s Leslie George Lagatule, but finishing second in the group after losing to Ireland’s British champion Martin McHugh.

AQ was placed 18th overall, just behind McHugh, and, although he can point to one or two occasions when he could have done better, can feel satisfied with his general performance in the Games.

Of course, the 18th Commonwealth Games will be remembered for the sterling displays put up by the ladies ‘s pair, Gaynor Thomas and Suzie Dingle, and triples of Christine Grimes, Gean O’Neil and Gina Le Long.

Both teams came tantalisingly close to bringing medals home to Jersey, but should be congratulated on their achievement of coming fourth in a world-class field – a best-ever performance from Jersey bowlers at the Commonwealths.