Monkstone Pétanque Club

Round 4 of the 2021 Super League was played out on Tuesday night and last night and produced a few surprises.

First up was Meteors v Minotaurs on Tuesday which, on paper, seemed to suggest a comfortable win for Minotaurs but it proved to be anything but. Vickie & Pete had got a very close game against Ben & Rob under control when needing one point they had three boule in hand. They failed to take it and Marauders punished them to come back and win 13-12. In the other game Katrina & Richard kept a tight reign on Jayne & Bernard. At 8-8 and with the possibility of Minotaurs going 0-2 down, Meteors left the door open and Minotaurs experience finally showed when they pointed in 5 for a 13-8 win.

In the second pair of games, Ben & Rob were leading against Jayne & Bernard but their challenge faded and Minotaurs pulled away to to win 13-6. On the other piste Katrina & Richard were leading Vickie & Pete for most of the game but again just fell short at the last hurdle and went down 10-13. The score, 3-1 [51-37], flattered the Minotaurs as Meteors had made them sweat on a cold night.

Last night Marauders took on Monarchs and Monarchs were immediately in trouble with Tom & Amanda racing to a 13-4 win against Roger & Mike. Meanwhile the two Gills were giving Tony & Sean a run for their money before finally succumbing 10-13 for a score of 1-1 at the halfway point.

In the reverse games, Roger & Mike went down 4-13 to the Gill combo whilst Tony & Sean were again put under pressure by Tom & Amanda with Monarchs just squeaking through for a 13-12 win leaving the final score 2-2 [48-34] and a very creditable draw and points win for the Marauders.

18 Members today competed for the prestigious 2021 President’s Cup on a very balmy November day. The contest ebbed and flowed as can be seen from the full results below. After 3 rounds only 2 people finished on 3 wins with another 8 on 2 wins.

In 3rd place with the best points difference of those on 2 wins was (relative) newcomer, KATRINA MUNROE

In 2nd place on 3 wins (+8) was BERNARD ADSHEAD

And in 1st place on 3 wins (+20), with a great display of pointing, to help her partners, was SANDY WARNER who is also the first lady to win the President’s Cup.

Thank you and well done to all who took part and CONGRATULATIONS to Sandy.

Round 3 of the 2021 Super League continued this evening with the clash of the titans, Monarchs & Minotaurs. Monarchs were looking to get an advantage over Minotaurs to help them rest the Super Cup from the holders, Minotaurs.

In the first set of matches Roger Griffin & Mike came up against Bernard & Jayne and quickly found themselves 0-6 down. With some dogged play gaining ones and the odd two, Monarchs clawed their way back and passed Minotaurs to lead 10-6. Minotaurs re-found their mojo taking 1, 3 and 3 on successive ends to close out the game 13-10.

In the other game Roger Green and Sean found themselves 1-10 down to Pete and Rose and even though they started to get themselves back in the game they never really put pressure on Minotaurs who ran out 13-8 winners.

So with a 2-0 lead at the change over, things were looking good for Minotaurs. Bernard & Jayne took a 4-0 lead over Roger & Sean but a glance over at the other game showed Pete & Rose trailing 0-7 so things were going to be very tight. Moments later a look at the score boards showed Roger & Sean creeping back into the game with Roger & Mike now leading 9-0. Things were looking decidedly sticky for Minotaurs to gain the one win they needed for victory. It got even worse for Minotaurs as Roger & Mike pulled into a 11-0 lead and Roger & Sean took the lead at 6-4.

Finally Pete & Rose got a point for 1-11 while Bernard & Jayne were slowly being left behind. As Roger & Sean eased away, the other scoreboard revealed that Monarchs were still on 11 but Minotaurs were up to 8. Pete & Rose had the bit between their teeth and continued scoring to record a remarkable comeback to take the game 13-11. Bernard & Jayne, however, could not replicate their achievement and Roger & Sean took the game comfortable by 13-4 but this left Minotaurs with a 3-1 win which kept them at the top of the table.

It had been a terrific match played an a good spirit and both teams are looking forward to the return fixture in Round 6.

Round 3 of the 2021 Super League commenced on 2 November with Marauders taking on Meteors, both looking for their first points in this year’s competition. It was a tightly fought encounter which ended in a 2-2 draw [43-42 to Marauders] giving both teams a point. Special mention to Tony Newton & Richard King who won both their games.

The top of the table clash between Monarchs and Minotaurs, which should have been played tonight, has been postponed to next Wednesday.

The 2021 Super League continued with Round 2 on 20 October with Minotaurs taking on Marauders in the pouring rain – by the end they were playing water boules. Monarchs and Meteors, who had sensibly postponed their game on Tuesday evening when the rain was equally heavy, took to the pistes this evening. Marauders and Meteors both put up a good fight, each taking one game off their supposedly stronger opponents but Minotaurs [45-28] and Monarchs [42-28] both ran out 3-1 winners.

Minotaurs maintain their lead in the Super League with a slightly better games won total. Round 3, in 2 weeks, pits the top 2 against each other with Monarchs needing to win to knock Minotaurs off the top spot.