Monkstone Pétanque Club

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

APOLOGIES FOR THE LATE POSTING OF THIS REPORT DUE TO WEBSITE ISSUES

On Sunday 26 June 2022, the club’s Open Doubles competition attracted 20 teams from the WPA and beyond. Despite the threat of rain, the weather remained fine all day and saw some very competitive matches.

The morning was played as 5 pools of 4 teams and the results of the pool stage can be found here. Only 2 teams recorded 3 wins – Jean-Yves Robic & Len Field (+21) and Steve Snudden & Gemma Foster (+18).

The afternoon was played as three knockout competitions, Gold, Silver and bronze. All the teams were ranked according to their results in the pool stage, the top 8 played in Gold quarter final whilst the next 8 played in the Silver quarter final and the last 4 entered the Bronze at semi- final stage.

The Quarter Finals went pretty much to form with the exception of the all Monkstone clash in the Gold in which Roger Griffin & Amanda Jenkins pipped Roger Green & Tony Smith by 13-10. The next round was delayed by the mammoth encounter in the Silver, again all Monkstone, between Vickie & Bernard Adshead and Gill Greenwell & Alex Skibinski which lasted just over 100 minutes before the Adshead duo ran out 13-7 winners. The Bronze Semi Finals also went to form.

The Gold & Silver Semi Finals produced no great surprises except perhaps team Adshead, who were suffering from their long Quarter Final, and went down 1-13 to Frances & Robin Ralph. Jean-Yves Robic & Len Field had a close encounter against Steve Snudden & Gemma Foster before securing the narrowest of victories at 13-12. In the Bronze Final Peter Kensett and Rose Fiera overcame Mike Wigg and Ash Seath by 13-5.

So we came to the Gold & Silver Finals – in the Gold, Sean Smith & Ian Bailey prevailed against Jean-Yves Robic & Len Field by 13-7 despite having lost their open game in the morning pool stage. In the Silver Final, Kon Tomczyk & Rhodri Ryland came through to win 13-5 against Frances & Robin Ralph.

The full results of the Knockout stage can be found here.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank-you to all those who participated in, organised or helped in any way in what was a very successful and enjoyable competition.

Silver Winners:  Rhodri Ryland & Kon Tomczyk

with Bernard Adshead (MPC Treasurer)

Silver Runners Up Frances & Robin Ralph with Bernard Adshead

Gold Winners: Sean Smith & Ian Bailey with Bernard Adshead

Gold Runners Up:  Jean-Yves Robic & Len Field with Bernard Adshead