News

Our regular slot in the Northern Petanque Winter Pairs league took place Sunday. There are 10 events throughout the winter designed for players who “wish to continue to play through the winter” and each one has 5 rounds and is usually on a cold and often snowy day. Records are kept of matches won and at the end of the season someone is the winner.

Greatest number of teams was at Heckmondwike in October with 28 teams but yesterday Huddersfield we had 20 teams. It had been limited to ensure everyone could play and not have to wait for an empty piste. Even so one player sent a substitute and 3 players only just made it on time as Matt Blyton made a speech about La British Open in the summer at Heckmondwike.

The day started with Roy raking the terrain several times and our two new tea-ladies Lorna & Margaret setting up the refreshments and being very helpful. 20 Teams were as below.

Huddersfield had13 members playing in 7 teams. Brendan & Paul had a good day winning 4 out of 5; Pete & Margaret won 3; Fred 2, Roy & Sue, Clive and Kath , Maureen & Nigel all won 1; Kevin and Christine had a bad day. Brendan and Paul were hoping for 5 out of 5 and a share in the prize money but ran into an England International in the last game who shot them off the terrain (and he’s over 50 years younger than Brendan and Paul).

Winners on the day were the experienced shooters who also were mostly the younger players. Colin & Andy shared the top prize with Peter and Lee both teams winning 5 games with a points difference of +40. Matt & David Blyton were 3rd with 5 wins and +38. Angela and Maurice were best of the teams that won 4 games. Paul & Brendan were 6th and 16 points short of the prize money.

In the League table there are 114 players and 16 are members of Huddersfield. Our top player is Brendan with 17 wins just 6 off the top of the table in 7th place with 2 events to go.

See official results at http://www.northernpetanque.co.uk/EventResults.aspx?Ty=CR&TN=865

It was a good day; well organised; no problems with the games or the players. Some club members dropped in to see how it was going and have a chat. I expect we’ll do it next winter.

Despite being strapped together the roof continued to deteriorate thanks to Storm Dylan and Storm Eleanor and one day in January the committee decided that the roof had reached the end of its useful life. Action was needed. Quotes were received – one of them for more than the value of the shed but a DIY solution was preferred.

So Compo, Foggy & Cleggy (Brendan, Paul & Pete) met at B&Q one day and decided they would buy some corrugated bituminous roofing and repair the roof themselves. It only needed 3 cups of coffee and a calculation on the back of a 3 round snake  scoresheet to work out that it would be £180 for materials or £162 if they used Cleggy’s over 60s discount card the following Wednesday. This roof (Corrubit) was also guaranteed for 10 years

In the meantime Bob and Nigel and Robin (who are fortunate not to have nicknames) joined the team and on Wednesday 7th they bought the materials, turned up on site in freezing temperatures and effected the repair.Thanks especially Bob, Nigel, Robin, Compo, Cleggy and Foggy.A few finishing touches needed and it’ll last for another few years. A new bigger clubhouse is planned and we hope its will be here the year. See Menu Bar.

…for the title of winter melee champion and it will conclude on March 4th with the final members melee of the winter.  Pete will win unless Rita overtakes him. We’ll see in a month.

Todays’s winners were Pete first and Amanda second. Robin and Christine tied for 3rd.

A Good time was had by one and all. The meal was fine; Barrie and Amanda received their Oscar as most improved players of the year; Nigel won his for best newcomer this year. Many notable achievements were highlighted in particular Sandy winning all 5 games in a York melee and Brendan and Barrie’s 5 wins in a winter pairs.

We played Heads and Tails and Play your cards right where the cards seemed to beat everyone’s attempt to win a prize.

Over 30 prizes were given out again with the games and the raffles.

We think everyone had a name check and everyone as their photo in the pictures below.

Thank you to those who made impromptu speeches and finally Happy Birthday Christine.

Enjoy the pictures! Most of them are Play your cards wrong players.