Having moved to the top of the standings yesterday, the Irish squad saw their advantage cut by Guernsey at the Les Creux Bowls Club on the Channel Island today.

Going into today's play, Ireland led by four points but now hold a slender one point advantage.

They sit top on 61 points with a shots difference of 147, having won 158.5 ends.

Guernsey find themselves on 60 points with a shots difference of 141.

They have also won 160 ends as they aim to improve on their silver medal from two years ago.

Scotland and Wales are tied on 54 points but the Scots occupy bronze medal position as they boast a better shots difference of 136 to the Welsh team's 117.

Defending champions England saw their miserable campaign continue today.

The winners of the last two editions of this competition have slipped to fifth on 53 points, eight behind the leaders.

From 19 matches, the English squad have won 160 ends and boast a shots difference of 165, far superior to any other team in the competition.