Guernsey's Commonwealth flag carrier in early Games win

Thursday, 23 July 2026 11:35

By Euan Mahy

Pictures from: Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association Facebook

Guernsey bowlers Alison Merrien and Rose Ogier have won their first match in the women's pairs in Glasgow.

Bowls is the only sport to feature ahead of tonight's opening ceremony (23 July) and Guernsey scored an impressive very early win.

Alison Merrien MBE and Rose Ogier beat the Isle of Man 5-1 and 3-2 respectively in the two set game.

Alison and her husband Ian have the honour of leading Team Guernsey at the opening ceremony, which is inside for the first time, at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow.

Team Guernsey is fielding 20 athletes across athletics, bowls, boxing and swimming and has the potential for a golden Games.

Alastair Chalmers will try to better his bronze in the men's 400m hurdles from Birmingham '22 while Abi Galpin will be looking for a first medal at this level. She reached the semi-finals of the 200 metres in Birmingham, which was a first for her at this level.

Guernsey's four bowlers, Alison and Ian Merrien and Rose Ogier and Jason Greenslade, are a formidable force and expect to push the competition hard.

Boxing is represented by Tommy Teers and Niall Adams.

Guernsey's biggest squad is in swimming and consists of multi-medal winners from recent Island Games.

They are: Tatiana Tostevin, Oriana Wheeler, Orla Rabey, Delphine Riley, Emma Bourgaize, Molly Staples, Elodie Riley, Talullah-Mae Rautenbach, Charlie-Joe Hallett, Ronny Hallett, Zachary Maiden and Henry Bolton.

The Glasgow Games are a slimmed-down version but can still boast 3,000 competitors.

Glasgow stepped in for the state of Victoria in New South Wales, which pulled out of hosting the event exactly three years ago.