Monkstone Pétanque Club

The first leg of the annual Winter Friendly against Caerleon RFC PC took place today with Monkstone seeking to wrestle back the trophy after 3 successive wins by Caerleon with a good start in the home leg.

After the 12 singles matches honours were even at 6 games [12 Points] each which was not the start MPC were looking for. I would like to be able to say that the captain gave the most rousing, encouraging speech ever before the doubles round but something stirred the dragon in them and they took all 6 doubles [18 Points] which is possibly the first time either team has won all the games in one of the rounds. It nearly didn’t happen as, in the last game, Vickie & Bernard were 10-5 down when they heard that MPC had won all 5 doubles that had finished. Not wishing to have the finger pointed at them as the only losers, they fashioned a surprising come back to win 13-11.

So its was on to the triples – could Monkstone increase their 18 point lead to take into the 2nd leg in 2 weeks time. It was not to be, however, and with 2 wins [10 points] each, the final score was 40-22 to Monkstone.

So with an 18 point lead in the bag, Monkstone move on to the 2nd leg at Caerleon on 30 November. Its not over till ………….. as the saying goes, but its a good position to be in.

It’s ours to loose ……… !!!!!!

RESULTS

The postponed 2nd leg of our annual Friendly v Royal Wootton Bassett PC was played at RWB on Thursday 18 September 2025. All those taking part were relieved to find that the fixture was still taking place after the atrocious weather the previous day. In fact it turned out to cloudy with very warm sunny interludes.

The match was played in the usual format of 2 rounds of 6 doubles and 2 rounds of 4 triples. Unusually RWB chose to start with the triples which were then followed by the doubles after lunch.

MPC had a healthy lead of 13 games to 7 after the first leg, but realised that RWB would be looking to overturn that on their home gravel.

The 2 rounds of triples each finished with 2 games all, so MPC had retained their 6 game advantage, after which lunch provided by RWB was taken.

The first round of doubles finished 3-3 so RWB would have to win all 6 of the games in the second round of the doubles. Fortunately for MPC they came up slightly short by taking 4 of the games to MPC’s 2 thus reducing the overall deficit to 4 games with MPC taking the overall honours by 22 games to 18.

Toady, we welcomed to our club, a party of 15 friends from Royal Wootton Bassett PC. The occasion was the the 1st leg of the annual competition between the clubs. The 2nd leg will be played at RWB PC on 18 September 2025.

Our guests were welcomed in typical Monkstone sunny weather and were treated to tea/coffee and Welsh cakes after their journey across the bridge.

The match was in the usual format of 2 rounds of 6 doubles followed by 2 rounds of 4 triples.

When play got under way Monkstone took an early lead in the first round of doubles and finally won the round by 4-2 (games) and 62-43 (points). The pattern continued the second round of doubles with Monkstone again edging it by 4-2 and 56-41.

A break was then taken for a sumptuous lunch provided by the MPC members with a trip to the bar for those who wanted to slake their thirst in the hot weather. The deserts provided included, what else in Wimbledon fortnight, strawberries and cream.

So, after the repast, play recommenced with round one of the triples. Monkstone proved they hadn’t overeaten or drunk by continuing in their fine form to take the round 3-1 and 50-26.

On to the final round of triples but Monkstone took their foot of the gas a bit and RWB earned a draw with 2-2 and 45-36.

So the final score was a 1st Leg win by 13-7 and 213-146. They may “think its all over ……….” but it’s not. Monkstone can expect a tough fight from RWB in the return fixture in September as they try to overcome the deficit.

Many thanks to those who played and those who provided the lunch and a special “Well Done” to Ros Goddard, supervising her first event in her new role as MPC Fixture Secretary.