Author: huddersfieldpetanque

Heckmondwike club is preparing to order from Obut and by bulk buying they can probably avoid heavy postage costs. Let us know if you want to join in with their order which will be sent in November to arrive before Xmas.

There are 3 general sellers of boules. The market leader, some expensive designer names and the cheap but just as good foreign competitor.

Obut is the market leader. Based in France with large share of the market. Prices are high and the best buy is the Compet Junior at 72 euro. You get a choice of plain or with a pretty triangle pattern and all have 70.5 diameter with weights from 650 to 670. Suitable for official competitions. See them on the Web. Buying direct from Obut is cheaper than from a reseller.

Even cheaper is the Obut Tatou range with more pretty patterns but no weight or diameter specified. I think they are 650g and range from 65 to 74 but can’t find confirmation. Although not allowed in EPA competitions they would be welcome at most clubs and they’re cheap.

UPDATE: another source has confirmed that Tatou are 74 diameter so light but large.

If you want you can buy much more expensive Obut boules which promise a lot but may not be much better than a basic set.

The good thing about Obut boules is they can be engraved at source. Engraving is 9 euros if your name has 3 letters or 17 euros for up to 15 letters.

Finally there is the cheap foreigner. The country is Thailand and the maker is La Franc. The only UK supplier I can find is Complete boules and they cost £49 or £55. There’s a good range of boules. Diameter from 71 to 76, weights from 680 to 720 and a choice of 6 different patterns. Just as good as Obut but not with the same cachet. Find them on the web. If enough members want to buy these we’ll see about a bulk order to save on postage charges.

For most club players you should forget the blurb about soft boules, hard boules, shooter’s boules, rebound boules and carreau boules. Don’t pay lots of money for a fancy name. The most important thing is to buy a boule that has the right size and weight for your hand. If in doubt buy smaller and lighter rather than you think.  Talk to other players and try lots of boules before you decide what to buy. Your own set of new boules will give your confidence a lift and probably improve your game.

A record number of entrants today as 28 people took part in a 3 round melee. Winner as usual was David M but many good performances and 6 players won all  their three games. Well done David, Daniel, Barrie, Pauline, Christine & Yvonne. League table updated on results tab.

Next week Mixed pairs. Next melee Dec 7th.

NEWSFLASH. CLOSED with 18 teams.

This competition filled very quickly and we have decided to allow 4 more teams to enter. We have some players without partners. Please ask a committee member for more info. 4 places left. Enter by email or text to 07977772971.

Same details apply. 9th November; 1300 start, £3 entry fee; prizes to first 3. Please be early. Teams without names please supply one.

First Winter melee on 5th October. Start 1pm , 3 rounds, free to members. Scores go forward to winter season league table on 2014 Results page.

Huddersfield beat Heckmondwike 10-8. Scores on Revenge is sweet post. It was a close run thing.

Members meeting on 12^th October at 12 noon in Community Room. We’d like to review the first 6 months and ask what members want from the club. Play some games afterwards.

Autumn Equinoxe knockout was a small event because of numbers but Sue & Phil ended up winning the final.

Next Club event is Winter Melee on Sunday 5th October. 1pm start prompt. 3 rounds where we keep scores then plenty of time after for more games. No entry fee and members only. Scores go to Winter long league table on 2014 page.

On Thursday 16^th we’re holding our experimental Short game melee. “Speak French all night” option. See details on the web. We’ll start at 5-00 to get some games in before the light goes. No entry fee and members only. Might be the last Thursday of the season.

There’s a Team Event at Stockton Fox on 26^th October. It will be a full day with an early start and a late finish and a team of 6 is required. Talk to a committee member if you want to take part.

Club Clothing now available. Ask Roy for a Polo shirt, a hoodie or a fleece in various colours with club logo on. Ask Paul for a scorer at £5 or a lanyard in club colours for £1.

DVD’s a) “Ma Methode” by Marco Foyot & b) “Basic Coaching” by the E.P.A. Free loan to members from Roy.

We’re hosting a Northern Region Winter League on January 18^th starting at 0930. 5 games in a day. Entry fee and prizes. Higher level of competition but please join in if you want. Bring extra fleeces, woolly hats and gloves.

Christmas Leftovers Event. Bring mince pies & sherry and unwanted presents for a raffle on December 28^th 1pm. Also a melee. Prize for the best Santa hat.

Talk to any committee member at the terrain to know more about these events.