A strong start in the golf was the highlight of the Bermuda’s other performances on the third day of competition in Jersey.

The men’s team’s combined socre of 216 left them in second place after yesterday’s first round, trailing Guernsey by just four shots.

Will Haddrell, the Bermuda captain, had the best individual round of the day, shooting a three-under-par 69 at La Moye Golf Club, two shots adrift of Jersey’s Daniel Blondel, who shot a 67. Mark Phillips sits tied for eighth after his opening round 74, with Damian Palanyandi right behind him in 11th with 75. Jarryd Dillas is in 21st after his eight-over-par 79.

“It was pretty breezy today, blowing about 20mph, so that had an effect,” Haddrell said. “I had an okay start, got it together, and made a few birdies in the middle of the round.

“We’re definitely in a good spot, we’re four shots back in the team event, which is obviously the one we’re most interested in. Individual medals would be nice, but that’s not the main goal here.

Golf action will continue each morning until Friday.

“We’ve got three more rounds to catch up and we’re confident that over that stretch we can make up the deficit and more,” Haddrell said. “We’re in a really good spot, we’ve had a decent start and we’re just looking forward to tomorrow [Wednesday] and going again.”

The women’s team are holding up their end as well, sitting at fourth place with plenty of time to get themselves on the podium. Bermuda’s 250 total leaves them ten shots adrift of Guernsey, who are third, and 18 shots behind leaders Jersey.

Ebonie Burgess posted Bermuda’s best round, and sits tenth after her opening round 82 at Royal Jersey Golf Club, with Katrin Burnie three places further back after her round of 83. Elizabeth Parsons is in 17th with 85, and Linda Down is 28th after her 94 in the first round.

Both teams are sponsored by Goslings and Assured Guaranty.

Meanwhile, Bermuda’s basketball team claimed another convincing victory yesterday, winning 79-43 over Gotland.

Bermuda were sparked by strong three-point shooting and overcame a slow start to take their third win of the tournament easily.

“We need to stay consistent,” Tim Trott, the Bermuda coach, said. “Our defence ignited our offence.”

Bermuda take on the Faroe Islands today at 11.30am Bermuda time in their last group stage game.

In sailing, former leader Kalin Hillier is lying third in the overall standings with one race remaining in the Laser Standard event. The Bermuda sailor is only a point out of the silver position, with Harry Blowers, of the Isle of Wight, just ahead of him on 23pts.

Barring a disaster in the final race, gold should go to Eiffon Mon of Anglesey, who has 13pts.

In badminton, Emma Calow made it through to the quarter-finals before losing 21-15, 21-13 to first seed Rannva Djurhuus Carlsson of the Faroe Islands.

In men’s badminton doubles, Rohan Pai and Michael Palmer went down in straight sets to David Luce and Jon Southern from Jersey, losing 21-7, 21-12.

Bermuda’s female sprinters Taahira Butterfield and Natasha Trott will be back in action tomorrow after winning gold and silver in the 100m event.

The pair will compete in the preliminary heats of the women’s 200 metres. Trott will be hoping for a better start off the blocks after coming second in the 100m despite difficulties at the starting line.

“I had try to catch up the whole race,” said Trott. “But I’m happy for Taahira and myself bringing home the gold and silver medals.”

The men’s Sport Trap Individual shooting event wrapped up with Andrew Pereira in 18th with 68 points, Brian Mello in 28th with 51 points, and Terence Madeiros in 30th with 46 points. Winning gold was Jonathan de la Haye of Jersey with 90 points.

Raymond Beaulne finished 30th in the Automatic Ball Trap event.

Bermuda’s men lost both their games yesterday in beach volleyball. Eric Haller and Gary LeBlanc lost 21-13, 21-9 to Francesc Bagur Catala and Jose Maria de Olivar Romeo of Menorca, and were beaten badly by Saaremaa in a 2-0 loss. They stand at 2-2 in their group with three matches left.

There was better news for the women’s team of Lisa LeBlanc and Rebecca White, who rebounded after a tough day on Monday to beat the Faroe Islands 21-18, 21-11. That puts them at 1-4 in the group stage, with a match against Cayman Islands today.

Bermuda’s indoor volleyball women swept Isle of Man in three sets, winning 25-14, 25-10, 25-12.

In the archery, Bernard Wade III finished fourth in the men’s 720 Recurve. Wade scored 571, with the gold medal going Absalo Hansen, of Faroe Islands, with a 605 total. Bermuda’s other archer, Robert O’Connor finished 30th with 465.