News

Weather was a problem. After many hours of waiting for heavy snow which never arrived a pitch inspection was made at 0900 today. Everything looked fine. Terrain was perfect – no lying water. There was something in the air but not heavy snow. We decided to go ahead. At noon it started snowing. At low levels it wasn’t too bad but on the tops it was heavy stuff. Considering the conditions to have 6 teams was quite good.

Round one had a few snowflakes; Round two it was heavier. Round three and we saw hail and finally rain. It also started to get to the hands. Most other parts of the body were well wrapped up but hands started to freeze. Inexperienced youngsters played in trainers WITHOUT proper socks. Grizzled veterans donned their full wet weather gear. After a few hiccups with people not turning up; hasty replacements and people feeling ill halfway through we made it to a finish 3 hours later. 3rd were Trafford Petanque consisting of Chris, Aly & Lewis (Our first podium said Chris proudly)

2nd and walking away with Milk tray were locals Three in a Shed (Robin, Rita & Brendan)

But overall winners and the only team on the day to win all 3 matches were Nunns Plus made up of Roger, Anne and Alan from Wetherby and York.

The rain had by this time stopped. But puddles were everywhere.

Thanks to everyone who turned out. There were some interesting final games. Trafford could have pinched second place if they’d won their last game quicker but points difference decided it in the end.

Hope to see you all again when warmer weather comes back.

goes ahead.

Dress appropriately, warm up your boules before leaving home; be prepared for a bit of precipitation. Just think of all those chocolates waiting to be won. Shelter is available close to the terrain and in nearby cafe & pub.

Or as the say in ‘uddersfield Bell bum and domino.

For some time we’ve drawn attention to any team losing 0-13 by ringing a bell and inviting the losers to kiss a bare bottom (known as fanny). it’s an old tradition often quoted as “fanny paie a boire” which means losers get the drinks in.

This year we’ve decided to reward achievement rather than embarrass people so today we instituted the Six Blank award whereby anyone who scores 6 in one end gets to wave a giant domino around and have their photo taken.  We didn’t think this would happen so quickly but less than 2 hours later it did.

The players who demonstrated this supreme skill were Jane, Martin and Marie. Here they are with our makeshift domino. A local joiner has been commissioned to make a 3ft by 18 inch domino for extra dramatic effect. Losers in this game were Brendan, Paul and Richard. What’s worse is the domino effect – the team scoring 6 were on 7 points so accelerated through the tape to win. Watch this space.

Friday 27th and over 40 members and partners attended our annual dinner at Greenhead Masonic Lodge. It was a nice 3 course menu with coffee & mints and wasn’t bad at all.  Before the meal there was speech from the Chairman to say how well 2016 had gone. Membership at 86; good results in the leagues we have entered; players moving out to play in other clubs and at regional events and considerable money raised for our chosen Charity.

We also awarded 3 Petanque Oscars for the most improved players (M/F) and the most useful member (AKA Rake of the year). Both pictured below. Categories for next years Oscars to Committee before end of 2017 please.

Then we started eating. After first course we presented a bunch of flowers to Liz Henstock (still our best supporter) and also to Sue Crofts our treasurer who was also awarded an Honorary Life membership in recognition of her massive contribution to the club over 3 years.

We had a game or two of Heads and Tails with Brendan as MC. Winners won prizes. Raffle tickets were sold.

Then we continued eating.

After main course we played Play your cards right with Robin as MC. Incredibly 9 players failed to get through to the end until finally one player made it.

Pudding followed and then it was Raffle. There were.. wait for it… 18 prizes to be won. It took some time but 18 people walked away with a prize. Best one was an bottle of ancient Port.

Believe it or not there were still prizes to give away so we played heads and tails again to get rid of them.

Everyone agreed it was great night and at least half the people who attended walked away with a prize (some with two or three!).

The committee decided later that we’ll have a repeat in the summer. This will be the Petanque Picnic and will be on  a sunny day in June or July. We may not be able to have alcohol in the park so we’ll have to bring our own lemonade. More later.

 

16 people played but only two won all 3 games. Rita S just beat Christine K by having a points difference of 24 instead of 22. Seven players won 2 games with Robin and Sandra B being the best with 14 points difference.

Winter	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Total	adj
Daniel	10	13	9	12	9	53	35
Robin			7.5	11	10.5	29	29
Sue	13	8	1.5	7	3	32.5	28
David	7	4.5		13	8	32.5	28
Sandra B		11	3.5		10.5	25	25
Marie		3	11.5	9	1	24.5	23.5
Fred	8	8			4	20	20
Christine K		8			12	20	20
Barrie	4		11.5			15.5	15.5
Richard	12				2	14	14
Brendan			3.5	10		13.5	13.5
Kevin			13			13	13
Rita					13	13	13
Roy				8	5	13	13
Michael		12				12	12
Sandie	2	10				12	12
Malcolm		4.5			7	11.5	11.5
Jack	11					11	11
Elisabeth	9	1				10	10
Mick X			10			10	10
Amanda	3	6				9	9
Rita W	1	2	5			8	8
Diane			7.5			7.5	7.5
Edwina	6					6	6
Pauline			6			6	6
Paul					6	6	6
Alasdair	5					5	5
Sandra L			1.5			1.5	1.5

All this means that Daniel cannot be caught. If Robin had been 3rd rather than 3rd= he could have equalled Daniel’s score in the March Melee (assuming Daniel didn’t play or scored nothing). However that’s not the case. Daniel is the winner.  The race for 2nd and 3rd is still on. Any from 6 players can fill these 2 places.

April first Sunday is not happening as we are playing an away fixture at Mansfield. May 7th will be the first in the summer season.