2010
HELM
TRUST International Competition
The first Jersey Petanque
Association International, sponsored
by Helm Trust, took place over 2
days, 26 & 27 June at the
Weighbridge Square.
The event was opened by Deputy Sean
Power. Bagpipe music from Michael
Cowan was included and Beautiful
Jersey was sung by Sadie Reynard.
12 teams took part, over 3 rounds,
playing in triple format. Eight
teams came from Jersey; from the
Jersey Petanque Club, Carrefour
Club, St Mary’s and a player from
the lunchtime league which is played
at the Weighbridge. Four teams (12
players) came from Ireland. They
were all members of the Irish
Petanque Association; the players
came from North Down, and Cork. The
Scottish teams (12 players) came
from Inverness, Stirling, Perth and
Inverleith.
In the first round, Jersey Team 1
took a lead which they maintained
throughout the two days. Team A in
this group consisted of Marc Nichol,
Jeremy Grigg and Matthew Pinel. They
had fantastic form over the 2 days
eventually winning all 12 games, the
only team to do so.
The totals from the 2 days play were
as follows:
Jersey 1 33wins.
Top team: Marc Nicol, Jeremy
Grigg and Matthew Pinel 12 games won
Jersey 2 24 wins
Top team: Lawrence, Ian and
Mick Rondel 8 games won
Scotland 23 wins
Top team: Mags and Colin Montgomery
& John Watson 7 games won
Ireland 16 wins
Top team: Paul and Tricia Murray &
Michel Romney 6 games won
Thanks are given to members of the 3
local pétanque clubs who were
responsible for running a very
successful first international
event. It is hoped that this is a
prelude to further international
participation by Jersey teams.
Dorothy de Gruchy
Celtic Challenge
The
Celtic Challenge 2010, held in Wenvoe, near Cardiff
on the weekend of 1 and 2 May proved to be a
disappointing experience for the Scottish Team who
had travelled with good expectations from the
weekend.
The team
was hampered by the unfortunate withdrawal of Robin
Gardner from Scotland 4 and his replacement by Bob
Boyle, and also by the illness of one of Scotland 1
on the Sunday.
The
Scots began against Ireland and drew the first round
2-2, lost the second 1-3 but immediately recovered
to win the third by the same score. The last round
was also tied to leave the match at 8-8, a
reasonable start to the event.
The next
match was against Wales A, and began badly with a
1-3 loss in the first round, although 2 of the
losses were from close games. The run continued,
however and the Scots lost each of the 4 rounds to
finish on the wrong end of a 12-4 defeat.
The last
match was against Wales B and the Scottish team
hoped for redemption against the alleged weakest
team. Things did not go according to plan, and this
match was also lost this time by 10-6, although
again some of the lost games were close-run affairs.
Best of
the Scots were Scotland 1 (7 wins) and Scotland 4 (5
wins) and although the teams tried their best it
just did not happen for them. All credit to the 4
teams for their exemplary turnout and conduct
throughout the match in exceptionally difficult
circumstances. The Scots finished fourth in the
event, 3 wins behind the Wales B team.
It
should be noted, though, that one of the Wales B
teams played with 2 substitutes on the Sunday which
actually made the team stronger, winning 4 from 6 on
Sunday after just the one win on Saturday.
This
should not detract from the fact that despite their
best efforts the weekend was desperately
disappointing for all concerned, although the
renewed friendships and general camaraderie to some
extent compensated for the lack of success.
Byron Milton
President
Scottish Petanque
Association
Jennifer Dow |
|
Jennifer Dow
1949 - 2010
|
It is with deep regret I
have to inform you all of the passing of Jenny Dow,
wife of Ronnie and mother to Mike and Stephen.
Jenny was a founder member of the Birds and Bees
Pétanque Club in the early 80s and of the SPA upon
its formation in 1985.
In the early days of Scottish National competitions
the family team of Dowsers, with Jenny and Ron with
a very young Mike, were feared opponents and had
much success at National level, with their names
appearing on several National trophies.
In 1986 the Inaugural British Open Triples was held,
sponsored by Piat. After a Scottish qualifying heat
Dowsers qualified along with 3 other teams to
participate in the Finals to be held at Blenheim
Palace. The best-performing of the Scottish
contingent that weekend Jenny and the “boys” reached
the last 16 where they held a commanding lead before
succumbing to the greater experience of the
opposition, the Number 1 English team of the day,
who went on to be runners-up in the tournament
I am sure all SPA members will share with me in
sending our heartfelt condolences to the family at
this extremely difficult time.
Byron Milton, SPA President |
Jennifer with Chris Pern |
