Although a very damp and unpromising morning today it still didn’t deter 7 enthusiastic people from their fortnightly fix of petanque.    Two teams, consisting of 4 ladies and 3 gents, were soon underway chasing the cochon (jack). 

Ladies took the first end by one point which the gents equalised on the next but couldn’t rest on their laurels as the ladies roared back by scoring 9 points over the following 6 ends.    There were several times when very close measuring came into play and the boules were bouncing and smashing all over the place.    There were some amazingly placed boules but whether by luck or judgment we can’t determine but I expect the individuals concerned would plump for the former.

Anyway, by the close of the 16th end we were on 12 points each.    A nail-biting situation with all to play for and concentration took over from general chatter.    Leadership of the final end changed several times but it was the gents who won that all important single point making them the over-all winners.    AND , by this time, the sun was shining brightly causing some discarding of coats and jackets.

Thanks again to those who played today.    Join us for the next scheduled game in two weeks ( 5th August) at 10.15am on the pitch behind the library.  It’s all very light-hearted.    Make a note of the date NOW as I may not be able to send a reminder as usual. 

Ken

It was raining this morning so at 9.45am I started ringing around the usual players to cancel today’s game.    Nobody answered my calls so left messages.    Nevertheless, we went to the pitch in case anybody turned up and was delighted to find 3 members waiting for us.    The rain had stopped so we decided to carry on.   

We made two teams of 3 ladies and 2 gents and commenced play with the ladies kicking off and gents took the first end with one point with the ladies retaliating  with a good 2 on end two before another male member joined us.  Gents then took the upper hand scoring 1, 1, 3 and 1 before the ladies managed a further 2 making the scores 4 to 9.   

Amazingly, the gents then scored a SIX giving them the magic 13 points to win and so we then had time for a second game. 

Ladies started again with each team scoring 1 point each.  Scores were repeated on ends 3 and 4 making 2 points all.  The following two ends were won by the ladies with 1 point in each but the gents caught up with 2 points which was then duplicated by the ladies.    On the final 3 ends the gents won with 2, 3 and 4 points respectively giving them the winning total of 13 for the second time.

The rain held back throughout so it was a worthwhile morning of play.    My thanks to all those optimistic members who came along to play today.    Why not join them when we next play on the 22nd?        Ken.