Monkstone Pétanque Club

Marauders and Meteors wrapped up their Super League season tonight when Marauders were looking to consolidate the runners-up spot whilst Meteors were looking to finish as they started by taking the scalp of another team from a higher WPA division.

The match got underway with Marauders, Gareth & Michelle, taking on Meteors, Ben and captain Judith, playing her first game of the season. Meteors started well and moved into a 4-1 lead thanks to a crafty point from Judith which moved the cosh and gave them 3. Marauders soon fought back for a lead of 6-4. Although they were always in touch, Meteors could not quite catch Marauders and at 10-9, MIchelle produced a fine display of pointing to take the game 13-9. In the other game Marauders, Phil & Mike Cranston, were up against Gill Greenwell and Ian. The game had a cagey start, when at 4-3 to Marauders , they took a 4 for 8-3 and then continued to pile on the pressure to run out comfortable winners by 13-3.

In the reverse pairs, Gareth & Michelle raced into a 5-0 lead but were immediately pegged back when Ian & Gill took a 4 to make it 5-4. Marauders turned the screw and prevented Meteors from taking another point before sealing the win at 13-4. The highlight of the game was at 8-4 when with Marauders holding and 5 boules within 15cm of the cosh, Gill managed to produce a bouncing shot which picked out the Marauders boule from the middle of the group and left Meteors on. The final game was a real cat and mouse affair with Marauders, Phil & Mike coming back from 0-3 down to lead 4-3.  Meteors, Ben & Judith came back again and started to edge ahead from 5-5 to 11-9. Unfortunately at this point the wheels fell off the Meteors game when Ben managed to shoot out Judith’s boule leaving Marauders on 3 and Phil pointed in for a fourth to take the game 13-9. It seemed to be a feature of this game with both teams shooting out their own boule more than once. Marauders had run out 4-0 (52-17) winners and confirmed their runners-up spot in the Super League.

From the pen of our cub reporter (and resident comedian) – Mike Jones

The scene was set for battle. The gladiators entered the arena ready for a crucial contest. Monarchs needed a win while Marauders wanted scalps! The arena was packed with screaming, chanting and mentally disturbed spectators (well it would have been if not for Covid restrictions!!). Monarchs had carefully chosen their weapons. Tony had a trident, Mike chose a curved sword, Sean a net and shield and Keith, a frilly pink, ‘off the shoulder’ number from Primark! The Marauders had chosen 3 boules each!! The weather was unpleasant but the camaraderie was obvious to all.

The games began with cagey, careful play, neither team prepared to show their hand too early in the match . Monarchs, Mike J and Sean, played Marauders, Gareth and Michelle, and from 3-3 to 7-7 no breakthrough was made. With good play from both teams, the game was going to be tight. Then Monarchs gained an 11-8 lead but Marauders were not done with. A disastrous end saw Marauders take a 5 to snatch the game. A good game won well. Mike J and Sean wiped away the tears to watch Tony and Keith in combat with Phil and Mike Cranston.

Unfortunately, the game stood at 11-4 to Marauders so more tears appeared in Mike J and Sean’s eyes. However, not put off by good pointing from Mike C. and good shooting from Phil, Monarchs grabbed a 5 to make it 11-9. Marauders were not to be outplayed and managed to take the game 13-9. A very good game with skilful Petanque from all players. Now 2-0 down, Monarchs were playing for their pride.

The games continued into the dark, wet night. Mike J and Sean played ‘cat and mouse’ with Phil and Mike C. With the game at 4-4, it needed something special. Well, that didn’t materialise, so the game continued with Monarchs eventually sneaking 1 or 2 on the next few ends to get to a 4-11 lead and then 6-12.   Surely, 1 point was not beyond them.   Well!!   Some good pointing and shooting saw Phil and Mike C. grab a 5! (Oh no! Deja- vous from the first game!). At 11-12 it was toooooo close for comfort. Up steps Phil with a clever point to take the 2 needed to make a miraculous comeback and win 13-12. A great game and a worthy win.

Discarding the curved sword, net and shield, Mike and Sean trudged dejectedly to watch their teammates and it was some comfort to see that they were winning 11-4 at the time. Marauders, Gareth and Michelle, however, were still fighting and gained a good 5 on the next end. (What is it about the Monarchs conceding 5 this evening???). At 11-9 Monarchs turned the screw to win 13-9. Another good game , a feature of the entire evening.

A deserving win for the Marauders at 3-1 with overall points for the match a draw at 45-45. Well done everyone, a good match to be part of.  Monarchs failed in their bid to take it to the final match of the  Super League and congratulate the overall winners, Minotaurs, on their success.

For those who are interested, the Monarchs team have decided to seek medical help. Tony and Keith are setting up a ‘ double- act ‘ as – ‘Rulez ‘R Us’, Sean is becoming a monk and Mike is taking up darts (who said he will probably miss the board!!!).

Well it’s adios from me and adios from all the voices in my head!!!

Note from Webmaster – I want some of what Mike’s on! 

They thought it was all over …………… well it isn’t yet. Minotaurs went into tonight’s Super League fixture against Meteors knowing that a win would see them crowned champions. All looked set fair for unbeaten Minotaurs with Meteors coming off the back of two consecutive 0-4 reverses. But things don’t always go to plan.

In the first game, Minotaurs Bernard & Pred were up against Meteors Gill G and Ian B-S. Minotaurs started slowly and were having difficulty gauging the piste. After three ends they were 0-5 down but still considered they could pull things back.  In the fourth end things got a whole lot worse when, with Minotaurs holding but out of boule and Meteors having 5 boule in hand, Ian attempted to shoot the Minotaurs out, hit the cosh out into open territory, with the boule he had just played following it, leaving Meteors holding 2 and a vast open space to point into, which they duly did for 6. Minotaurs couldn’t complain as they had benefitted from something similar in their match last week. Leading by 11-0, Meteors pressed home their advantage and closed out the game 13-2.

In the other game, Minotaurs Vickie & Rose took on Meteors Norman and Keith T.  The scoreboard was ticking over with neither team gaining any great advantage but with Minotaurs leading 9-8 they managed to find a bit of form and ran out 13-8 winners for a match score of 1-1 at the turnaround.

So into the third game, Bernard & Pred took 1 point in each of the first 5 ends and it was looking as if it would be long drawn out game. In the next end, however, they took 4 and it was then a long way back for Norman & Keith. Minotaurs then took another 4 ends to complete the job, taking the game 13-1. The score, however, did not really reflect the game with 10 ends being played and Minotaurs taking  just 1 in 7 of them.   

The Final Game

Minotaurs hopes of wrapping up the league title all hung on the last game between Vickie & Rose and Gill & Ian.  The game seemed to be slipping away from Minotaurs when they found themselves 2-6 down but with some good play they managed to pull back to 6-6. After another couple of ends Meteors held a slender 9-8 lead which was a prelude to a nail-biting finish. Minotaurs levelled the scores again at 9-9 and then took a 2 for a lead of 11-9. On the next end Meteors levelled the score at 11-11 but were then Minotaurs were faced with tough decision. They were holding 1 with three boule in hand and 4 Meteors boules surrounding theirs all tight up around the cosh. A stray boule could quite easily have left Meteors holding 2 or even 3, so Minotaurs decided to take 1 to give them 12-11 lead. In what proved to be the final end Meteors managed to take 2 after some good pointing from both players, giving them the game 13-12 and giving Meteors a well earned draw in the match, dashing Minotaurs hopes of settling the title. Minotaurs were left wondering what would have happened if they hadn’t taken the 1 in the penultimate end!

For Minotaurs, the title is still in their own hands needing 1 point from their final fixture against Monarchs next week – unless Monarchs fail to beat Marauders tomorrow, which would hand the title to Minotaurs. Monarchs also have the title in their own hands but need to win both their last 2 games to pip Minotaurs to the title.

The much rearranged game between Marauders & Minotaurs finally got underway this afternoon in just the sort of weather they had been trying to avoid. Both teams had regular players unavailable, Rob Harris for Marauders and Jayne Dunn & Peter Kensett for Minotaurs. The question was could Minotaurs return to their winning ways after last week’s draw against Monarchs or could Marauders avenge their defeat in the first half of the season. 

The match got underway in pouring rain with Marauders, Michelle & Gareth up against Minotaurs, Bernard & Amanda. Minotaurs kept the scoreboard ticking over until after 5 or 6 ends they found themselves 9-1 in the lead. Marauders were having none of it though and started chipping away at the deficit coming back to 9-5 when Minotaurs regained their touch and closed out the game by 13-7.

Playing (not Singing) In the Rain

In the other game Marauders, Phil Roberts & Tom Mills took on Minotaurs, Vickie & Rose Fiera, who was playing her first competitive game this year. Vickie & Rose took an early lead which Phil & Tom were struggling to pull back. Marauders decided to change their playing order with Tom taking over the pointing and they slowly started to eat into Minotaurs lead and finally pulled level at 10-10. Vickie & Rose then had their worst end of the game and Phil & Tom ran out 13-10 winners.  

In the reverse pairs Bernard & Amanda rocked Phil and Tom by taking a 9-0 lead after two ends. In the second end, with Marauders out of boule but holding 2 thanks to a clever last boule from Phil, Minotaurs had 5 boule left. Bernard, in attempting to break up the head, had the good fortune to shoot the cosh out into open territory with his boule following it. Minotaurs then pointed in their remaining boules for 5. Marauders put a couple of points on the board but the mountain got higher when Minotaurs took a 2 for a lead of 11-2. Undeterred, Phil & Tom kept pegging away to pull back to 7-11 but then Minotaurs took two singles to wrap up the game by 13-7.

In the final game, Minotaurs again established an early lead which they never relinquished but, as often seen before, with Vickie & Rose on 12, Gareth & Michelle started picking up points winning 4 ends in a row to reduce the deficit to 10-12. In the next end, with Minotaurs holding the 1 they needed to win, Marauders proved they weren’t out of it yet when Gareth shot the cosh for a dead end. The next end proved to be the last when, with Marauders holding but out of boule, Minotaurs took only 2 of the 4 they had in hand with Rose pointing through a crowded head to take the point giving Minotaurs a win by 3-1 (49 -35).

A well fought game in constant rain but special mention must go to rookie Amanda whose pointing was especially accurate. Also a mention for the two spectators,  Keith Nott and Sean Smith who stuck it out in the rain for the whole match (no doubt secretly praying for a Marauders win).

SUPER LEAGUE TABLE AFTER ROUND 4

From the pen of our new reporter, El Pres – Mike Jones

The second half of the Super League competition got underway last night with Monarchs still ‘licking their wounds’ after their defeat to Meteors in the first match of the Super League. A focused, determined effort would be needed to avenge the loss. The temperature had dropped but things were to warm up on the piste. Psychological word games would not break the resolve of both teams.

The first game put Monarchs Mike and Keith N. against John Chich and Keith T.   With a good opening point by Keith T the gauntlet had been thrown down. An early lead of 5-1 to the Meteors meant Monarchs needed to ‘ up their game’. Some good pointing and shooting put Monarchs on a winning streak as they raced to a 11-5  lead. ( The sigh of relief could be heard in Penarth!!!). With Meteors unable to claw back the deficit, Monarchs ran out 13-7 winners.
In the other game, Tony S and Sean were to face Norman and Ian B-S. It was to be a tense affair with no quarter given by either team. All four players were determined to excel and the game started with Meteors racing into another 5-1 lead. Again, good shooting and pointing saw a short revival by Monarchs but Meteors maintained the pressure moving to 9-5. Concentration and confidence was needed to get back into the game. With careful strategy Monarchs hit back taking the score to 11-11. The tension could be cut with a knife! The next end saw an amazing battle of skills. With boules surrounding the jack, Norman played a sublime point with his last boule, to stop 5 cm from the jack. Monarchs had looked to be victors as they were holding 2 at the time. With Tony holding the last boule, and a cluster around the jack, could an incredibly difficult shot at Norman’s boule give victory to Monarchs? What happened next was undoubtedly the shot of the tournament. A crisp hit by Tony smashed Norman’s boule out of contention leaving Monarchs with a 13-11 victory. A tremendous game by all four players.

The next two games were played with some relief by Monarchs, however a victory was their ultimate goal. Tony and Sean played ‘ cat and mouse ‘ at the beginning, the score reaching 4-4. Monarchs then turned the heat up and galloped to a 11-4 lead. Keith T and John C fought valiantly but were unable to prevent the score reaching 13-6 and a much needed 3-0 in games to Monarchs. Could Mike and Keith N make it a clean sweep? Well, the game looked in the bag as they manoeuvred to an 8-0 lead. Alas, with victory in sight, Mike fell into a trough of incompetence. Pointing became an alien activity to him and Meteors started to up their game. Excellent pointing and shooting by Norman, ably assisted by Ian, made for tense viewing. Moving from 11-3 down to 12-8 , Keith tried to motivate Mike with a barrage of groans, sighs and numerous tut, tut, tuts. Mike was quietly wandering in a somnambulant fashion trying to locate his wayward boules. Secretly, of course, he was toying with Keith all along!!! Providing the perfect channels for Keith to point onto the jack! In a game that had suspense, excitement, skill and depression, Monarchs won 13-8 providing a much needed 4-0 victory with a +20 points difference (32-52). The victory pushed Monarchs up into second place in the table ahead of the Marauders v Minotaurs match which has been postponed from Wednesday to Thursday in the hope of some slightly better weather.

All four games were well contested and a pleasure to participate in. Well done everyone.