Monkstone Pétanque Club

There was a fantastic turn-out last Sunday for our melee with nearly 30 players participating. It was a pleasure to be joined by Tansy and Paul from Caerleon with their Finnish friends, Tony and Kimmo. But all the honours went to three club players who were the only players to win all their matches. Congratulations to Ian Baildon-Smith (1st), Phil Roberts (2nd) and Vickie Adshead (3rd).

Monkstone entered 2 full teams and Tony Smith played in a composite team at today’s Caerleon Open Triples. 18 teams battled it out all day under the blazing sun. After the mornings snake competition Barney’s Rabble (John Barnes, Roger Green, Keith Nott, Peter Kensett) and Monkstone Marvels (Vickie Adshead, Peredur John, Bernard Adshead) finished 10th and 11th respectively putting them in the Silver Competition.

Both teams won their Quarter Finals, but the Marvels run came to an end in the Semi Final against the Vikings. They made a spirited recovery from 12-2 down to pull the score up to 12-9 when unfortunately with all the momentum with them, they ran out of time. Barney’s Rabble won their Semi Final and faced the Marvels conquerors, the Vikings, in the Final. Barney’s Rabble struggled to get going and found themselves 7 points behind. They then got their act together and clawed their way back into the game (no doubt the Vikings had been softened up by the Marvels recovery in the previous game) and eventually ran out 13-11 winners.

Thanks to Caerleon – especially organiser Tansy – for a great day’s boules,

With the mid-point of the 2018 League season reached the following is a brief review of how our 5 teams are getting on.

FIRST DIVISION

The Monarchs started well and were top of the division for a couple of weeks. Results in recent weeks have fallen away slightly and they are now lying in 3rd place in the league. In the Cup/Plate the Monarchs suffered a surprise defeat away to Creigiau Crusaders.

The Minotaurs have struggled a bit but have recorded 4 draws and a win out of the 7 games played. Except for 1 week, they have regularly been in the next to bottom slot, which is where they are now lying. In the Preliminary Round of the Cup they had an easy win away to Barnes Wallace as the opponents could only field 3 players. In the next round they face the Monarch’s conquerors, Creigiau Crusaders, at home.

SECOND DIVISION

The Marauders, led this year by Phil Roberts, have not had the best of starts winning 1 match and getting 3 draws. They are currently next to bottom in the division. In the Cup, the Marauders had a bye in the Preliminary Round and now face third division side Monkstone Inn Youth away in Round 1.

THIRD DIVISION

The Musketeers have struggled to get a team together some weeks but have always made it in the end. This reflected in their 6th place in the table. Hopefully with 5 new players having joined, or about to join, the Club, the situation will be eased for the Musketeers and the other teams in Division 2 & 3. In the Preliminary Round of Cup the Musketeers lost in a difficult away tie to first division side Wenvoe Dragons.

The Mystics, led this year by Judith Smith, have had an excellent first half of the season and currently lie in 3rd place with 2 wins and 4 draws. In the Preliminary Round of Cup the Mystics came out on top against fellow third division side, Penarth Panthers. In Round 1 they have a more difficult tie at home to Maesteg who are running away with Division 2, not having dropped a point at the halfway stage.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON