Monkstone Pétanque Club

The Monkstone men were not able to emulate the ladies by bringing the National Doubles title back to the club in today’s contest at Pontyclun PC. Monkstone had two and a half teams with Roger Green & Sean Smith and Bernard Adshead & Roger Griffin making two pairings and Gareth Spencer teaming up with  Stuart Spencer. 

The format was 2 groups of 5 but instead of there being any byes, the 2 teams who would have had byes played each other. The top 2 from each group went through to the semi-finals. Sean & Roger and the Spencers were in one group which included the favourites, Ian Bailey & Jean-Yves Robic. Bernard and Roger were in the other group which include Kon Tomczyk & Richard Harris and Derek Jones & John Attfield. 

Roger & Bernard started with their bye and, having avoided them in the draw, who should they come up against but Ian & J-Y.  The Monkstone pair built up an early lead which they never relinquished to run out 13-7 winners. Could this be the start of something big? They went on to win 2 out of the first 3 games within their group leaving them, before the final round, as one of 3 teams on 3 wins but with Kon & Richard, also on 3 wins, left to play in the last round. The winners would definitely be in the semis. Kon and Richard took an early lead but Roger & Bernard managed to claw their way back to 7-7 but couldn’t keep it going and lost 13-7 which eliminated them from the competition as the other team on 3 wins also won.

In the other group, Sean & Roger put up a good show but were eliminated on 2 wins. Gareth & Stuart chalked up 3 wins which was enough in their group to see them through to the semi finals in which they went down 8-13 against Kon & Richard who themselves went on to lose in the final to Ian & J-Y.

So it was not to be for Monkstone but Roger & Bernard can take something from the fact that they were the only pair all day to beat the eventual winners.

In the second game of Round 1 of the Super League, Minotaurs of Div 1 managed to squeeze (socially distanced of course) past Marauders of Div 2.

In the first pair of games Minotaurs Bernard & new recruit Amanda were up against Marauders Phil & Rob. After a close opening sector of the game, Minotaurs pair managed to pull away to take the game 13-7. In the other game, Minotaurs Vickie & Pete were pitched against Gareth & Michelle. Minotaurs established a 6-1 lead before Marauders started to pull back and with the score at 11-11. Minotaurs grabbed the 2 points necessary for a win putting Minotaurs up by 2-0 at the halfway point. 

The floodlights were switched on as the second pair of games began. Bernard & Amanda started reasonably well and were holding their own against Gareth & Michelle but then had a bad end, leaking 5 points. This seemed to deflate Minotaurs and Marauders ran out as comfortable winners by 13-4. In the final game, Vickie & Pete started well and built up a good lead. As seems to be the way in the majority of the Super League games so far, Marauders clawed their way back but with Minotaurs leading 9-7 they managed to take 4 points of what proved to be the final end giving them a 13-7 win.

Special mention goes to Amanda who put in some excellent pointing in her first competitive match to help Minotaurs to a 3-1 win and the top of the League after Round 1.

SUPER LEAGUE TABLE AFTER ROUND 1

In tonight’s first match of the Super League, under the new floodlights, bookies favourites for the trophy, 1st Division Monarchs, were given a severe jolt by 3rd Division Meteors.

In the first pair of fixtures, Meteors’ newly crowned Welsh National Womens Doubles Champions, the two Gills, started well against Roger Griffin & Keith Nott but fell away to go down 4-13. The second Meteors’ pair, Norman Francis & Roger “Ben” Bennett roared away to 10-1 lead against Mike Jones and Sean Smith. The Monarchs staged a great fight back but came up just short at 11-13.

In the reverse doubles both Meteors’ pairs established commanding leads. Norman and Ben leading 10-1 against Roger & Keith and the two Gills leading by a similar score against Mike & Sean. Just when it looked as if the Meteors were going to romp to victory, the more experienced Monarchs began a great fight back. Norman & Ben suddenly found that they were level at 11-11 but with some good pointing found the two points they needed to take the game 13-11. This gave the Meteors at least an unexpected draw and with Mike & Sean pulling back to 10-7 in the final game it was beginning to look as if they would have to settle for that. The two Gills were having none of it and held their nerve at 12-12 to take the game 13-12 and the match by 3-1 for a famous win that will be talked about, by everyone except the Monarchs, for a long time to come.

A salutary warning for 1st Division Minotaurs who face the Marauders, newly promoted from the 3rd Division, tomorrow evening.

Following the success of Monkstone pair, Gill Clark and Gill Greenwell, in yesterday’s National Women’s Doubles Championships, the Club is delighted to announce the National Men’s Doubles will take place at Monkstone PC next Sunday, 13 September 2020.

The five ladies from Monkstone who took part yesterday, as well as the spectators from the Club, were impressed with thought and organisation that had been put into the event by the WPA particularly in respect of providing a Covid safe environment. 

Unfortunately, this means that there will be no Club play on Sunday as the WPA will be controlling the play and the necessary cleaning etc during play. They will also be checking temperatures of players and any spectators as well as keeping a log of those present.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL THIS EVENT WAS MOVED TO PONTYCLUN PC

…………………………….. in fact they make the 2020 Welsh  National Women’s Doubles Champions.

Yesterday, at Pontyclun PC, Gill Clark & Gill Greenwell returned a faultless 5 wins out of 5 to take the National title. Gill C had just completed her period of quarantine after returning from France and Gill G was competing in her first National competition having only taken up  petanque just over 12 months ago.

This was also the first time the two Gills had played together at this level and against such stiff competition, including a familiar pairing who would have been the bookmaker’s favourites. 

So, on behalf of all our members, congratulations to the 2 Gills on a fantastic achievement. 

                                        Gill Clark & Gill Greenwell                                                     (with the Socially Distanced WPA President, Bob Pugh)