Around 30 club members left their racquets at home and enjoyed an evening playing with balls of a very different kind on Friday 9 May. This was Fishbourne’s second petanque competition and showed that tennis and the classic French game bring out much the same in people, notably a fiercely competitive streak!
With Fishbourne’s part-time petanquers now familiar with the rules, and the strategy involved, the standard of play was consistently high in all of the three games that most members managed to squeeze in. It was certainly good enough to impress the petanque experts Tim and Maurice, from Arundel and Waterlooville Petanque Clubs respectively, who were impressed by the pointing and shooting skills on show.
The weather was good, Trevor and David H managed the barbecue to perfection, and the drinks flowed on what everyone agreed was a fun event.
And there were winners, as well: Overall top scorer was Lee Nicholls, who was presented with a bottle of Bordeaux by new committtee member Chris Gosden (pictured left).
The runners up were Shaz and David H whose prizes of a bottle of wine each were handed over by club chairman David Lord. In Shaz’s absence David H kindly agreed to take responsibility for both bottles…
The third place team were a delighted David and Sue whose efforts on the terrain won them a set of boules, presented by Nikki compete with speech in French.
As ever we have to thank Tim and Maurice for coming to Fishbourne and providing not just the essential matter of 30 sets of heavy metal boules but also their expertise and assistance. They point out that for those keen to play petanque again they would be warmly welcomed at either Arundel or Waterlooville clubs.
STOP PRESS: the committee yesterday agreed to hold another petanque evening, hopefully with warmer weather, a little later in the summer. Watch this space!
Everyone was too busy enjoying themselves to take many pictures, but here are a few:
Top scorer Lee in play-offs against David and Sue Lord
Alex from Generation Tennis couldn’t resist having a go
Working out which boule is nearest the coche not always easy…
