Monkstone Pétanque Club

Please excuse the brevity of this post but your reporter forgot to take the results sheets away with him and is filing this report from memory on a ferry in the middle of a very lumpy Bay of Biscay.

A tremendous turnout on Sunday on a lovely sunny day for the 2022 Club Doubles when 32 players made up 16 doubles pairs. As has become the norm the competition was played as a doubles melee with the 32 players being seeded into 2 groups of 16 and the teams being drawn at random, one player from each group.

After Round 2, only 4 teams had registered 2 wins and, unless something exceptional happened, it was almost certain that the winners would come from one of these 4.

The final round was played out and, on its conclusion, one of the 4 teams, Phil “Trying for a 3rd win” Roberts and Beryl McCarthy had fallen at the last hurdle. This left 3 teams in with a chance of winning – Mike Jones & Alex Skibinski, Sean Smith & Leon Sofianos and Ash Seath & Ian Campbell.

There was hushed silence and a drum roll as the Organiser stepped out of his lair to announce the results. In a never heard of situation, all 3 teams had finished on 3 wins and +21., so it was down to countback. Unfortunately Ash & Ian hadn’t reached 13 in one of their games so they were eliminated which meant that it came down to points against. Mike & Alex had been romping to a possible fanny in their last game but conceded 3 points right at the end and it was this that cost them the title as they went down by 2 points to Sean & Leon who were crowned as 2022 Club Doubles champions.

Well done to the winners but especially to Leon who has only been playing for a few months. Following Ian McCarthy’s win in the President’s cup, its great so see another new player with his name on a trophy.

President Mike presents the trophy to Sean & Leon

Round 2 of the 2022 competition was played in week commencing 10 October 2022.

On Tuesday, Monarchs were ‘home’ to Meteors. In the first game Monarchs, Sean Smith and Roger Griffin, faced Ash Seath and Melys Phinnemore. Unfortunately Meteors did not get the rub of the gravel and went down 4-13. In the other game Meteors, Alex Skibinski and Ian Campbell, were looking good against Keith Nott and Roger Green, but eventually lost 6-13.

After the interval, Meteors upped their game with Ash and Melys pushing hard against Keith and Roger, but lost 7-13. It looked like a 4-0 win for Monarchs was on the cards, but Alex and Ian had other ideas. Having been gifted four points in the first end, they refused to relinquish their lead. Sean and Roger rallied towards the end but Meteors kept their nerve, winning 13-8. 

Wednesday saw Mystics, confident from their good showing against against Monarch’s last week, took on Minotaurs who, that morning, had been reduced to 3 available players. Fortunately Carol Maroney stepped in to complete the team. In the first game Minotaurs, Barney & Carol, came up against Rob Harris and Tony Newton. The game was nip and tuck up to 7 but then Minotaurs pulled away to win 13-7. The second game saw Mystics, Alex Hicks & Derek Dyer, take on Vickie & Bernard Adshead. Again the game was very close up to 9 but this time Minotaurs had a bad end letting Mystics in to secure a 13-9 victory. At 1 game each, it was all to play for.

The reverse games got underway with Mystics, Alex & Derek, facing  Barney & Carol. Alex & Derek could not repeat their earlier win and Minotaurs ran out 13-7 winners with super-sub Carol, and Barney, winning their second game. Had Mystics run out of steam or could they raise their game again in the final encounter. Spurred on by their team captain, Gill Greenwell, Rob & Tony started well but soon found Minotaurs snapping at their heels. The lead went to and fro until Vickie & Bernard opened up a 3 point lead in the middle of the game – could they push on from there and get to 13. Mystics had other ideas and led 12-11 but Minotaurs, just failing to get the 2 points needed for a win, took 1 point to level at 12-12. In a tight final end, Mystics pulled out all the stops to gain a 13-12 win and get their first points in the competition.

On the strength of their performances in the first 2 rounds, Meteors & Mystics will be tough opponents for any team in the Super League.

For Tables & Results click here

The 2022 President’s Cup was held today a the club with 30 members taking part – believed to be a new record. As had become the norm, the competition was held as a Melee to encourage the less experienced players to compete. Would one of them win again following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Sandy Warner? Sandy decided to not to take part today “to give someone else a chance!” Twice a winner previously, Phil Roberts was out for a hat-trick of wins – could he be stopped? These and a million other questions would be answered in the next 3 hours.

The 4 players who joined the club this year and were taking part in their first President’s cup had mixed fortunes in the first round with Alex Skibinski and Paul Pulsey with their respective partners starting with a win whilst Len Christian & Ian Campbell, with their partners, went down.

In Round 2, Ian managed to get his first win whilst Paul couldn’t consolidate his position with another win. When the round concluded, 7 players were on 2 wins with Pete Kensett leading the way on +14 points but Phil “dreaming of a hat-trick” Roberts was still in the mix with a score of +12.

So the final round got underway – with 3 of the players on 2 wins on opposing teams, it was going to take 3 wins to take the trophy. Phil with his partner Paul was pitted against Pete & Gill Greenwell. Which of these would get the third win and perhaps take the prize or would one of the other players on 2 wins sneak through to win? 

When it was all over the computer was consulted and it was found that Phil and Paul had beaten Gill & Pete to end their chance of victory but another 3 of the players on 2 wins had also secured the 3rd win to keep them in the hunt. So with a drum roll and a fanfare of trumpets, it was announced that in 4th place was Rob Harris [+10] and 3rd was John Xiberras [+11]. Had Phil “I have a dream” Roberts taken the trophy for the third time – the suspense was ended when it was announced that Ian McCarthy [+20] had pipped Phil [+14] at the post. 

Well done to Ian and thanks to all who took part to make it a great competition.

Last year’s winner, Sandy Warner hands the trophy on to Ian McCarthy

COMPLETE RESULTS

Round 1 of the 2022 competition was played in week commencing 3 October 2022.

The opening game was between Marauders and Minotaurs and was keenly fought. Marauders Amanda & Tom started in storming fashion with a 13-1 win against Vickie & Bernard but Minotaurs, Pete K & Barney struck back against Phil & Chich with a 13-10 win to level the games at the turn around. Marauders took the next game to finish 13-6 but again Minotaurs didn’t fold and took the last game 13- 6 for an honourable draw.

The following day pitted the new team to the competition, Mystics, against last year’s winners, Monarchs. First blood went to Mystics Alex H & Rob by 13-4 against Roger Grif & Mike J. Was this a portent of what was to come – the Monarchs hadn’t forgotten their defeat by the then newbies, Meteors, in the opening game of the inaugural competition. Mystics Beryl and Ian Mc put up a good fight against Keith and Wiggy in the next game before eventually going down 6-13. After the break Keith and Wiggy soon found themselves trailing against Alex and Rob, but then the greater experience showed and they ran out 13 -7 winners. The final game was nip & tuck with Beryl’s pointing & Ian’s shooting putting pressure on the Monarchs. With the game all square at 9-9, Monarchs managed to pull through for a 13-9 win.

As El Pres said in his post match interview, “Well done to the Mystics. To all teams I say – be afraid, be very afraid! the Mystics are coming for you!!!!!”

For Tables & Results click here