THE XMAS

ALL THETALK TALK OF THE OF THE IN

TERRAINTERRAIN THE CIRCLE

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@ JsyPetanque www.thejpa.co.uk December 2018

Jersey’s world cup wonders They couldn’t have had a tougher start – drawn against , the eventual winners of the World Triples Championship - but the Jersey team have returned from Canada with their heads held high.

The Jersey trio, Matt Buesnel, Mark Nicol Have you seen our opponents in the first round? and Matt Pinel played really well and proved that they can perform on the world The level of the competition was much lot and we will take away that knowledge stage but they do realise there is some way stronger than the European to aid our development with a view to to go before they can compete at the very championships.” further improvement in future highest level. competitions.” “However the team handled themselves Team manager, Michel Morel, said: “I’m extremely well and made most of their See special report by James Rondel on really pleased with the team’s performance. matches competitive. We have learned a the page 7

They think it’s all over. It is now!

Inside:Inside: a two a page Christmastwo page special, includingChristmas … Spot… thespecialincluding: VIP boules player In the Circle’s including: festive gift guide We’ve all been there. The moment you know you’ve missed with your last The Xmas caption competition boule and the game is won and lost. And for St Saviour it was a moment to savour. They were parish champions for the first time. Full report on Page 11. Michel Morel’s terrain teaser

The ground rules

A regular series in which Elaine Paisnel looks at some of the laws of At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valleygame carthat park, can leadAt least to there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, misunderstandings.

PUTTING YOUR FOOT IN IT

The Coach Tossing the cochonnet is an important to land. This way you have a target

throw in any game, but one that is not which helps you to judge the distance. regarded as such by many players. How often do you see a player carrying on a It also helps if your partner looks at the conversation and just 'chuck' the little kind of area you want the cochonnet to ball without even a glance as to where it occupy - thick gravel, thin bare patch or ends up? Putting the cochonnet where among the stones - but where you want you want it is one advantage you should it and at a distance that suits your team. not undervalue. Some teams get the shooter to throw the The rules concerning the but, jack, cochonnet so that he or she can get the bouchon, cochonnet, petite or whatever distance they are comfortable shooting

you want to call it are clear and precise. at. Other teams, ones perhaps with a A situation arose in a recent parish match Its size must be 30mm. The weight less competent shooter, play long so when a ‘shot’ boule was stopped by

between 10 and 18 grams and a wooden that the opposition shooter has a more someone’s foot. This meant it remained painted one must not capable of being difficult shot. on the playing area and did not go ‘out of picked up by a magnet. You will find bounds’. cochonnets made of composite or If your opponents throw the cochonnet Now, the important thing to establish synthetic materials that can be picked too long or too short then grab the up by a magnet. These, however, are opportunity and place the cochonnet here is “whose foot was it?” If the foot belonged to an umpire or generally too heavy. On the other hand where you want it. Too often people plastic cochonnets tend to be too light. just pick up the cochonnet and drop it spectator (who should not have been on without thinking. Treat it as if you had the playing area!) it stays where it is. Please check the cochonnet before the honour of the throw. Place it at the If the foot belonged to a member of the taking part in any competition. One distance you want and place it precisely team who had played the boule, it is dead other aspect of the composite or where you want it. Often the cochonnet and is taken out of the game. synthetic cochonnet: according to the is thrown too long because they wanted Now for the interesting bit: rules if it floats in water it is considered it long or too short because they wanted when a boule shot, or hit, is stopped or dead. The composite one sinks! The it short. Do not do what your opponents deviated accidentally by an opposing reason these rules apply is to ensure that want - do what you want. player, their opponents have options as the cochonnets respond and react in a follows: consistent and regular manner. If the cochonnet is thrown too long or 1) leave it where it stopped; too short the opponents are supposed to 2) place it on the extension of a line which Back to the importance of throwing the place it within the six to ten metres starts from the original position it occupied cochonnet. Firstly watch the run and allowed. If they place it outside those to its stopping point, but only on the roll of the thrown cochonnet. Although limits (this does happen) then a tape playable area and only on condition that it it weighs only one twentieth of the measure should be employed to weight of a boule it will give you a clue establish the nearest legal limit. had been marked. as to which way the ground goes and Article 20 of the FIPJP rules applies. therefore the way your boule will roll. For example if it is too long then once AND FINALLY (and this happens now and Learn to throw the cochonnet so that the ten metre limit is established then then) you can control it. There are several the cochonnet is placed at ten metres. Sometimes players, maybe when checking ways but one good technique is to hold Too short then the cochonnet is placed positions of boules by the cochonnet, it between the index and ring finger at six metres. accidently kick or step on boules which with the thumb and middle finger top have been played. In this case, their and bottom. Curl the wrist and launch it Whatever approach you take please opponents can, according to the wishes of high. consider the throwing of the cochonnet the player whose boule was moved, replay as an important, integral part of the it or leave where it came to rest. It is a good idea to get a playing partner teams tactics. Another example of how important it is to to stand where you want the cochonnet mark boules and cochonnets in games! The Coach

Fanny feast at Liberation CLATTER hands of Lady Luck – this year the number was up to t least there was no argument& about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car22. park, One At of least them was a there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, double fanny, awarded for only the third time in the CHATTER club’s history, to players that hit rock bottom twice in one game. What was remarkable however was the identity of the pair that suffered the bum note twice at the hands of Boules blitz ends knife rampage Dave Ibitson and Matt Ryan … none other than Andrew Liberation Pétanque Club’s Bellamy-Burt and Callum awards evening in October Stewart. However they were turned out to be a fanny fiesta. quick to point out they The previous season just three themselves had handed out

certificates were awarded to three fanny certificates to players who’d suffered at the opponents.

for GUERNSEY Canadian comms successOPEN

A knife attack in a Paris Street around 20 people chasing him ended when the assailant was and they started throwing pelted with boules by people boules at him. Four of five hit playing pétanque on a nearby him on the head.” Seven people terrain. Eye-witness Youssef were injured including two Najah said he was walking British tourists. The knifeman alongside the Ourcq canal was an Afghan but police have The incredible success of our live-streaming of the Home Nations when he saw a man running ruled out terrorism as a motive was repeated when we broadcasted live from Canada. Thanks to with a knife. “There were for the attack. the excellent commentary provided by James Rondel we had no less than 20,000 visits to the JPA Facebook page during the week of the World Triples, many of them from places all over the Silence, s’il vous plait world, some of them with names in totally baffling scripts.

Gill’s the gaffer Friends reunited

Visitors to the JPA Facebook page may have seen the heart-rending appeal by a lost and lonely boule. It was seeking two A French mayor has taken the drastic step of banning pétanque friends for a threesome after during the early hours due to the 'noise pollution' he says the Gill Blampied is the new captain having been mislaid. The players are causing. Unlike in Jersey where nightfall tends to put a at Jersey Pétanque Club. She good news is that the appeal damper on the game it turns out that the French are so passionate told members at the club’s AGM was answered and the boule about the sport that they want to play it at all hours of the that her first job was draw up the is back where it belongs. night. However in the town of Decazeville in the southern region of programme for next year’s Occitanie, its mayor, François Marty thinks this love might have competition, “but as I’m new to JPA membership gone a bit too far. As a result he has imposed a ban on the game the job don’t expect too many between the hours of 11pm and 8am to "preserve the tranquillity" changes.” She said she also There are now 563 of the town. The official document states that "the activity of wanted to form a small captain’s registered members of the pétanque playing causes repeated noise such as rattling balls, committee to share some of the JPA, a slight increase on the accompanied by the sound of loud voices and screams". workload. previous year

Many people believe one of Harry Houdini’s greatest stunts was to go over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel … and to survive.At Heleast didn’t. there The was no argumentHeading about which way to head from for the Vic in the aValley carfall park, At least? ? closest he came was swimming thethere rapids was of no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, the Niagara River for the climax of his film The Man From Beyond. However he An intrepid did work on a stunt in which he’d be nailed into a packing case which would then be thrown over Niagara Falls. In Jersey trio the event he pulled out.

The JPA meanwhile also sent some intrepid heroes packing take on the … to Niagara Falls in pursuit of a different kind of dare- devil stunt – to escape from the World Triples champion- world’s best ship with their heads held high and to keep Jersey’s reputation intact as an emerging force in puzzles like the Mystery of the airport by someone who can international pétanque. It was Missing Finger in order to only be described as a madman a tall order but it wasn’t the make their escape. on wheels. After loading his car, only great escape the lads had putting the suitcases on our to pull off. Coach Michel Morel had the laps, in between seats and over

most miraculous escape of all. the hand brake and gear-stick The trio, Mark Nicol, Matt He travelled separately to the we set off. The trip, which Pinel and Matt Buesnel rest of the team and the last leg should have taken 30 minutes (along with their small band of his journey proved to be a took a lot less. Jacques of travelling supporters) also hair-raising adventure. Villeneuve would have been left found themselves trapped in a trailing in our wake. variety of ‘escape rooms’ The demon driver “Two Lebanese and me were from which they had to solve given a lift from Desbiens We raced through the two sets that this madman was none of red lights and, despite it other than the Mayor of being pitch-black at 2.30 in the Desbiens!” morning, took corners at what seemed to be well in excess of The rest of the squad endured 100 mph. How the vehicle an equally arduous journey to stayed on the road and I Desbiens, but at somewhat remained alive is a mystery that slower pace. Among the party I think the laws of physics would was James Rondel who really find difficult to explain! made a name for himself with Imagine my astonishment on the his commentary as he live- following evening at the streamed the event via his opening ceremony to discover mobile. He even found time to submit a report on the trip

The Jersey party that went to Canada Trying not to get wet at Niagara

Desbiens?At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car èpark, At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park,

Très Bien! “ An early practice started also made the most of the in the most unusual of places. Quebec delicacy called, Somewhere between Gatwick poutine (fries, cheese curds and Heathrow Mark Nicol and gravy), of which we all challenged me to a game of had our fair share. ‘La Pétanque’ on his iPhone. Ever the pétanque enthusiast, Most memorable perhaps Matt Pinel watched with great (aside from our ride on the interest before challenging me vessel ‘Hornblower’ in and to a game (repeatedly) in around the Falls) was a trip Heathrow Airport until he round a haunted house fannied me – thanks Matt! attraction. Suffice to say it was scary (see Front Page pic)! Fast forward 8 hours and we had arrived safely in Montreal. Next up was another long drive We jumped straight into our back into Quebec and onto the extra-large Dodge Caravan town of Desbiens, arriving at (luggage in tow) and drove for our motel about 15 hours after roughly 10 hours through having left Niagara. We were Quebec and into Ontario. After up early the next day and off a quick 5:30am McDonalds to the competition where the for breakfast we arrived in lads, having met up with Niagara Falls. Words cannot Michel Morel, were keen to get do justice to just how breath- some practice in ahead of their taking this was. Arriving so first game against France! early in Niagara Falls, we had Team Jersey the benefit of experiencing the Mark shot admirably in what beauty and sheer power of this was his first precision shooting . With some 3,798 people For the tail end of the trip we natural wonder before the competition but unfortunately having watched the game via went to Quebec & Montreal, hordes of tourists descended a he didn’t make it through to our live-stream I know I can both of which, although in few hours later. the second round. After going speak for everybody when I say stark contrast to one another, down 2-13 to France and then that the team really appreciated were fantastic places to have We stayed in Niagara for three losing to Samoa by the same the support they received from experienced. We found time days, occupying ourselves with score-line the team remained everybody back home! After a for some further escape a visit to a shopping centre, upbeat during the opening heavy loss against Luxembourg rooms, whilst Matt Buesnel escaping (or not!) from ceremony It was hard not to - and a win against in and I also managed to fit in multiple escape rooms and literally thousands lined the the first round of the Nations some live music and a night using a makeshift practice streets as we paraded from the Cup (thanks to some fantastic out in Quebec City! terrain next to our Airbnb. We competition venue to the Hotel pointing from Matt Buesnel) our De Ville. Whether it was Friday night was curtailed As well as the boisterous fatigue or a most bizarre because I had to go to hospital Mexicans who were a great offering of entertainment (The on the orders of the competition laugh, and the Slovenian team Celine Dion Experience) we doctor. The mosquitoes in who were our neighbours at all decided that an early night Quebec are vicious. our motel, other friends we was in order! made in Desbiens were On the final day’s play for players from Montreal who As a result, the team were Jersey, the team beat Slovakia had come to watch the play, fresh and ready for another 13-8 before losing to a very so our last day rather fittingly day’s play; first up was fortunate Chinese-Taipei in the involved playing with them in Cambodia and after a fantastic quarter final of the Nations a melee at their local club; a comeback the lads were Cup. Having watched the great way to finish what was unfortunate to end up losing inevitable French triumph in the a fantastic holiday and an 12-13. However, with their event it was on to the closing amazing experience for tails up after a promising ceremony which was another everybody, players and performance the team fantastic event and a tribute to supporters alike!” managed to secure their first the organisational skills of the Ace of the airwaves win of the tournament against town of Desbiens. James Rondel Poland, with some 3,798 people having watched the Mike Pegg, President of the English Pétanque Asssociation and a Darts big wheel in the sport’s European administrative body, the CEP, has not surprisingly added his support to the bid for pétanque to be included in the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in France. Well, according to the Guardian newspaper, it now appears that V darts is another sport interested in gate-crashing the Olympic party. So one of their reporters has been weighing up the respective merits of the two sports (with his tongue lodged firmly Pétanque in his cheek)

The Paris Olympics of 2024 will be the first to feature the sport of pétanque, if French administrators manage to persuade the International Olympic Committee of their plans. As so often, from across the Channel comes a challenge. The game of arrows – darts – is hitting back against the French grapeshot with its own bid for Olympic recognition. Both have endured question marks over their sport status. But, in truth, that’s never been the key question in modern sport: which is more marketable? Here are some metrics.

Dress code Boules In an attempt to professionalise the sport’s image, the French have banned jeans in national championships. But some are hitting back. The chairman of the Gy boules club protested against the mandate by arriving for a competition dressed as a clown, saying it was “allowed under the new rules”. Darts Wearing an outsized synthetic polo shirt remains de rigueur, preferably in a garish colour, such as Michael van Gerwen’s trademark snot-green. Winner: Boules.

Celebrity power Boules In St Tropez, Karl Lagerfeld hosted a celeb-studded pétanque party for the likes of Vanessa Paradis and Diane Kruger. Chanel and Louis Vuitton have sold designer pétanque sets in soft leather cases for £1,500. Darts One Direction’s Niall Horan donned a flat cap to sit in the stalls at the 2016 Darts world championship, with golfer Lee Westwood also in attendance.

Winner: Boules.

Bad boys Boules In Marseille, at the 2010 Boules World Cup, a three-person team from Marseille reportedly threatened to “rip the heads off” a northern French team if they reported, accurately, that they had won. The northern French took this seriously enough that they duly reported a defeat and took the next train home. Darts Former darts world champion Les Wallace, whose nickname was “MacDanger”, was jailed for four months in 2001, for going the wrong way round a roundabout while attempting to evade police. Winner: Boules.

Potential for participants to drop dead mid-game Boules New pétanque star 19-year-old Tyson Molinas (he beat Dylan Rocher 13-12 in the 2018 French singles final), is a wispy blond 19-year-old in a polo shirt who looks like Justin Bieber with a brassica addiction. A picture of health. Darts Legend Eric Bristow died of a heart attack at just 60, in the car park of a darts arena in Liverpool. Andy “The Viking” Fordham weighed 196kg (31 stone) and drank 23 bottles of beer a day when he collapsed during a tournament in 2007, aged just 45. Winner: Darts.

The Guardian’s conclusion? “It’s true. The French have won this one. But they’ll still never get our post-2021 continued customs partnership trade harmonisation.” The Euro Men’s and Women’s Singles Euro Women’s Triples

The Italian job Le travail français

At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park,

Whilst watching play at the Euro Women’s Triples Lorna Limbrick noticed how many of

the ladies squatted to play their boule. Lorna said she felt it worked really well but doubted Arresting sight in Savigliano, Lydia Beck and two Carabinierie she could do it as she has problems with the World competition has had a profound cartridge in her knee! No-one asked when They didn’t exactly “blow the influence on his approach to the game she’d been shot. It wasn’t her only problem. bloody doors off” but Mark Nicol and and the Men's singles has confirmed his Joy Hart’s performance in the European thinking. Joy, although not a natural Arriving in Montpelier Lorna, while checking Singles Championships in Italy but it singles player, performed well but again in her boules and luggage, pulled out the did open up the way to serious thinking she lacks the shooting skills. My view relevant paperwork, inadvertently also about how we approach top-level is that Jersey players will not progress extracting her JPA licence which fell European competition in the future. without the aid of a more professional noiselessly and unseen to the floor. At security I will not go into great detail because the results can be found on the CEP website but I believe that both players approach to training and development. I she checked her bag and discovered, with Mark openedplayed his account at an agreeable with a 13 level-2 displaying skills equal to other nations. do not think sending players to top horror, her loss. She had to seek permission to win over Austria, but lost by the same competitions should be done without return to the check-in area and after checking margin to and then went the due consideration of their ' proven' the rubbish bins and other areas a security distance against his Finnish opponent pointing and shooting skills and their official found what she was looking for. only to lose 13-12. However he turned psychological approach to the game.” the tables against England 12-11 and It wasn’t the only set-back suffered by our followed that up with a 12-7 win intrepid squad at the Salle Bleue, Pavalas Les against Greece. The win put him in the Flots, which also included Cassie Stewart, Joy tenth place in the CEP ranking system – Hart and Wendy Ritzema. The terrains were a remarkable achievement, but he went tough enough but the opposition proved even out in the first round of the main more formidable. Although Cassie Stewart did competition, losing to the Belgian 13-4. manage to finish ahead of the Scottish, Greek and Bulgarian representatives in the precision Joy Hart had a tougher time of it in the shooting competition, thanks to one perfect fire. preliminary rounds of the Women’s Singles, but after three defeats she Sadly it was downhill from there. In their stormed back to beat opponents from opening match the Jersey trio went down 13-6 Slovakia and the Ukraine to earn a CEP to . That was followed by a 13-1 th ranking of 26 . In the Nations Cup Joy Mark with Philippe Quintais defeat at the hands of a young Turkish trio. got through to the quarter-finals before Latvia were their next opponents and once being eliminated 13-8 by . again their shooting skills proved decisive, Jersey going down 13-5. Another 13-1 reverse Manager Derek Hart said afterwards followed at the hands of Spain, although Jersey that the pair had reached a creditable did get points on the board with a bye in their level in the championship, “but both. final match! Relegated to the Nations Cup Joy and Mark have realised that without competition Jersey played the team who accurate and consistent shooting skills finished second from bottom but to no avail, we will not succeed.” Slovakia handing them another 13-1 hiding.

“Mark has already said that he needs to There was one silver lining. Jersey proved a change his shooting style and popular team and the club at Pavalas Les Flots

concentrate on boule to boule firing. I Joy with German opponent, have issued an invitation for a women’s team to believe that his participation in the Muriel Hess play in their Ladies Open next year.

At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley

In the Circle brings you two

pages of festive fun and frivolity Christmas Caption 1 Competition

2 4

3 5

Come up with a caption for one or more of the above pictures. The best answers will feature in the next edition of In the Circle. Email your suggestions to [email protected] DOING THE TURKEY TROT THIS WINTER Michel Morel takes us on a festive tour of the Island’s Triple-A terrains

This winter some of the game’s hardier types will be taking part in the Triple A PIANO ORDERS competition which is played on some of the DARNED AGE RASP Island’s tougher terrains. Can you identify them from this list of scrambled names BOARDED GLUE RUN (which also includes a few extra venues not WORST REFIT being used in the current Triple-A event)? DARKEST PRAWNS ANTI SUB CONGO MEMORY PLANK PREHEAT ASS NORM COOK PARROT NINA VINEGAR ILL

But not here – the gate is padlocked! CORFU REAR Answers on Page 10

CELEBRITY PETANQUE At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the ValleyPLAYERS car park, At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, Can you identify the 10 boules superstars? (Answers on Page 14)

1 2 3 4 5

Clue: Not an energetic Clue: He also plays Clue: Notorious for a Clue: Normally seen Clue: The Euro version player Kung Fu apparently head-butt in a triples team of Elvis?

6 7 8 9 10

Clue: Hanoi heroine? Clue: Prefers a softer Clue: La Dolce Clue: Boy band – but not the Clue: Hollywood real-life ball Vita? Animals baroness

Fed up of those In the Circle’s long, petanque- free, winter evenings? Then why not play

the game in the

comfort of your

own living- room? The pétanque board

Note: one of the ads is genuine! game is a snip at only 18€

Not an energetic player

The JPA awards t least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, Beeches Old Boules, winners of Division 3 of the Winter League celebrated their achievement in style … in DJ’s, shades and dicky- bows. Oh, and Brian Harris wore a tie! And JPA chairman Andy Beeches Old Boules adding a touch of class Limbrick did his Andy Capp impression, picking up the Wooden Spoon on behalf of the To cap it all Peaky Bouleurs, who ended their first season supporting the entire and Summer League Division league. One of the awards was 1 titles went to Vagabonds presented for the first time. James and Grantez respectively. In Rondel and Steve Foster were the Division 2 Grand Cru were inaugural winners of the Triple A awarded the cup for winning League, the new winter the Winter League and competition devised by JPA vice- Lethalimbs received the summer equivalent while chairman, Michel Morel. Kerplunk were the winners of the newcomers, La Hague Tigers, JPA KO league while the Winter took the Summer League cup. Winter League Ist Division winners, Vagabonds Summer League Division 2 champions, Leathalimbs looking suitably pleased with their award

JPA KO Cup winners, Kerplunk

Grand Cru, Winter League Division 2 winners

Summer League Division 1 winners, Grantez

AAA League winners: James Rondel & Steve Foster Summer League Division 3 winners, La Hague Tigers

Liberation’s

t least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park,

Award’s

Evening Alex Stewart Matt Pinel Brigitte & Alice Ibitson

Liberation Pétanque Club’s Player of the Year award went to Richard Premier League doubles champions, Jake Romeril and Mark Williams. Other awards went to the club’s Premier League singles Nicol (runners-up Matt Pinel and Toby Northern and third Neil champion, Matt Pinel (the runner-up was Andrew Bellamy-Burt and Selby and Ross Payne) and the Division 1 champions Alice and third was Ross Payne); the singles Division 1 champion Alex Stewart Brigitte Ibitson (runners-up Eamonn and Karen Bougeard and (runner-up Richard Williams and third Laurent Pellaton); the third David Le Gresley and Paul Bell).

L’Homard Qui Rit POSH Lunchtime … still Leagues laughing!

JPA chairman Andy Limbrick presented and received one of the awards for the winners of the Parish of St Helier summer leagues! His team, Equiom Hitters, were the Division 2 Summer winners in the Lunchtime League winners. The Division 1 title once again went to L’Homard Qui Rit, while the Division 3 table toppers were the Generals.

Equiom Hitters, top dogs in Division 2 Champions, L’Homard Qui Rit Division 3’s The Generals 2nd Michel Morel & James Gennoe. League winners 3rd Barry Blampied & Frank Morel XMAS QUIZ ANSWERS at Carrefour Social singles: The terrain turkey trot 1st Brian Mollet. Competitive singles: 2nd Martin Illien. PEIRSON ROAD GOREY COMMON 1st Tony Morton 3rd Matthew Perree PARADE GARDENS ELEPHANT PARK 2nd Rob Birch. L’AUBERGE DU NORD RANSOMS 3rd Michel Morel Social doubles: 1st Brian Mollet & Ralph Morin. FIRST TOWER CORONATION PARK Competitive doubles: 2nd Martin & Anita Illien. ST ANDREW’S PARK GRAINVILLE 1st Sid Simkin & Tony Morton. 3rd: Marion Simkin & Paula Dobson ST AUBIN CARREFOUR

Spoils divided in new parish competition

Ron Le Herissier, Ruth Perree and Ralph Morin

good start and never really back by their opponents,

Wally Garratt and Ron Vibert Keith Boleat looked back, beating Mike Wally Garrett & Ron Vibert, Ritzema 13-5. who went on to win 13-9. The inaugural Parish pétanque compete for the silverware: competition, organised by Ken cups for the top Singles player St John were the only parish St John however made good Le Brun, took place in mid- and the best Doubles and with a chance of lifting two in the Triples, knocking out September and at the end of Triples teams with all the trophies, being involved in Trinity 13-4 in the semi-final play the three trophies were split competitions played on a both the Doubles and Triples while St Clement had a between St Helier, St John and knockout basis. finals. In the former they had resounding 13-1 win against St Ouen. a 13-3 semi-final win against St Mary. In the final the St In the singles St Brelade beat St Clement, meeting St Ouen John trio of Ralph Morin, All 12 parishes were invited to St Lawrence 13-5 in the first in the final after they beat St Ruth Perree & Ron Le play in the new competition at semi-final while St Helier Martin 13-7. The St John Herissier went on to win 13-8 the Carrefour pétanque club but triumphed 13-8 over St Martin husband and wife pair, Bryan against the St Clement team only St Peter failed to raise a in the second. In the final Keith and Carol Mollett raced into of Brian Heard, Tony Beddoe team. That left 66 players to Boleat for St Helier got off to a an early lead but were pegged and Rosemary Benest.

No double-take for Ken Le Brun in St Mary The club competitions in St Mary went from famine to feast. There were only two entrants for the Singles, Ken Le Brun beating Alan Still in the ‘final’. But Ken wasn’t able to make it a double in the Doubles, played a week later, though again he got through to the final. There was a record turnout for the latter St Mary doubles champions event – fourteen players took part in the knockout. Ken and final but lost out in the end 13-10 Competitors in the St Mary Doubles Jeanne Le Brun were to Peter le Liard and Mick involved in a close-fought Cotillard.

Groundhog Day at St Mary

There was a déjà vu experience at the annual St Mary pétanque precision firing competition where the holders of the Men’s and Ladies’ Shooting Star trophies both retained their titles. In Elaine Paisnel’s case it was the fifth year in a row she’d won the competition. She beat Jean Stewart 11-8 in a low-scoring final. In the Men’s event it was a repeat of last year’s final between Geoffroy Buffetrille and Matt Pinel. With the score poised at 17-16 in the former’s favour, he fired out the coche from metres in the last round to clinch the Runner-up, Jean match 22-16, giving him a hat-trick of successive wins. Stewart

Le Crunch At least there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least The Parishthere League was no argument championship about which waycame to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, down to crunch matches on the final day

St Saviour savour their victory at St Peter home, if not exactly dry, on a Saviour in the penultimate cold and wet afternoon, in front week of the season. They of an elated band of travelling slipped to fifth place behind supporters. Afterwards captain, St Clement on games points Black Friday was anything through the first half of the Peter Blampied said: “I lost difference. but for St Saviour because it season unbeaten, needed them both my games but I couldn’t was the day they became Parish to slip up, as well having to care less. My team have been St John finished in the top League champions for the first beat St Mary. They managed brilliant all season and they six, five points clear of St time. Not that St Peter made it the second part of the equation thoroughly deserve this.” Brelade in seventh place (up easy for them on the final day of with a 6-nil win and then had to from tenth the previous the season, nor did their nearest wait for the other key result to It was probably the most year). Grouville were a rivals St Helier. come through. competitive parish league further five points behind season ever. Even the team that but the bottom four were Entering the final week there St Saviour had finished second won the wooden spoon and seven point adrift, with St were three parishes in the title to St Lawrence in 2017 and failed to win a game all season, Peter finishing in ninth place race, all of them playing away were determined to go one St Martin still managed to compared to fifth the from home. The outsiders were better this time around. They avoid defeat in eight of their previous year. reigning champions St went 3-1 up at St Peter but games (and reached the parish Lawrence but they fell at that there were tight finishes in the Knockout Cup final). St Mary Thanks are due to Elaine final hurdle, drawing 3-3 at St remaining doubles and the who finished third from bottom Paisnel once again for her Ouen. triples. managed to avoid defeat in smooth organisation of the exactly half their games. league and for keeping us To clinch the title St Saviour Although they lost the latter St Trinity, in their second season updated throughout the needed to win at St Peter while Saviour’s doubles pairing did will be pleased to have moved season. She in turn praised St Helier, the team that had gone the business and they were off the bottom of the table and all those who were took part. they will start next year “While competitive … the playing on their superb new competition has been terrain behind the parish hall. friendly, with great Inter Parish League final table sportsmanship. Here’s to P W D L Gs W Gs L P St Ouen were another team in another great year in 2019.” the title hunt until they suffered The Parish League will be Pts A St Saviour 22 14 3 5 77 55 45 a defeat at the hands of St back in February!

St Helier 22 13 5 4 83 49 44 St Lawrence 22 11 7 4 80 52 40 St Clement 22 10 8 4 75 57 38 St Ouen 22 10 8 4 74 58 38

St John 22 10 7 5 72 60 37 St Brelade 22 8 8 6 69 63 32 Grouville 22 7 6 9 62 70 27 St Peter 22 6 3 13 63 69 21 St Mary 22 2 9 11 53 79 15 Trinity 22 4 2 16 39 93 14 St Martin 22 0 8 14 45 87 8 So close. The runners-up, St Helier Competitions

JPA Veterans’ Triples

Triples thriller

Competitors in the JPA Veterans’ Triples Brigitte Jean Pierre Doubles Guernsey Open Doubles There was a superb finale to this year's JPA Veterans' Triples with the two top trios in Revenge is sweet Sarnian success the round-robin tournament playing each other for the title in their last game. Derek and Joy Hart, partnered by Steve Foster, had won all their four games up to that point whereas their opponents had suffered one defeat but had a better point’s difference.

Any win would have been enough for Jean and Alec Stewart plus Keith Boleat to take the title and they surged ahead 11-5. Their rivals chipped away at their lead but were still 11-8 behind going into what should have been the final end in a game limited to 50 minutes playing time.

However the Hart trio managed to pick up the three points they needed to tie the match Rob Birch and Gary Cowburn were the and force a sudden death play-off. Joy Hart only pair to be successful in six of their managed to place a boule close to the coche seven matches in the qualifying round of and all their opponents’ effort to fire it out the Jean Pierre Memorial doubles ended in failure. It meant that the Harts competition at Carrefour. They faced the team that spoiled their record, Sid and lifted the trophy for the first time after several near misses in previous years. Third Marion Simkin, in the semi-final. However Geoffroy Buffetrille & Rich Nevitt place went to Mike Ritzema, Brian Harris this time they were comfortable 13-2 winners. There was another successful raid by and Paul Le Moine. Jersey players at the Guernsey Open, The other semi-final was a much tighter although at one stage there were doubts affair, Ralph Morin and Brian Mollett just whether they’d get there at all because of shading it 12-10 on the last end after the problems with the Condor sailings. In the match was timed out against Callum event two pairs didn’t get there at all and Stewart and Andrew Bellamy-Burt. another one only made it in time for the The final was close to begin with, tied at 5- prize-giving. Luckily one pair who did get all, before Birch and Cowburn won eight there on time were Rich Nevitt and unanswered points to take the title. It’s the Geoffroy Buffetrille and they got through second major title of the season for Gary to the final where they beat the top Cowburn who won the Dave St Croix Guernsey pair, Seb Renaud and Giles Singles earlier this year. Cleal. .

The answers to the Celebrity Petanque Players Quiz

1 Eric Idle 6 Jane Fonda 2 Eric Cantona 7 Maria Sharapova 3 Zinedine Zidane 8 Sophia Loren 4 Jeremy Clarkson 9 The Beastie Boys Mike Ritzema, boule juggler 5 Johnny Hallyday 10 Brigitte Bardot Competitions

Carrefour club men’s and women’s singles Liberation Open Doubles

LahiffeAt least theretakes was no argument the aboutlaurels which way to againhead from the! Vic in Mattthe Valley & car Andrewpark, At least again there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park,

Matt Pinel and Andrew Bellamy-Burt won this year’s Liberation Doubles Open, a title they first picked up in 2013. They beat James Rondel and Paul Bell 13- 6 in Alan Lahiffe won the Carrefour club men's singles - the third time in four years he's the final. Rich Nevitt & Tom Scragg took picked up the trophy. He beat Andy Limbrick 13-10 in the final. Tony Morton won the third place beating Neil Selby & Ross third place play-off 13-8 against Mat Scholefield. The ladies event was played on a Payne 13-12. All of the top three lost two round-robin basis and Wendy Ritzema emerged as champion, winning all four of her matches in the open 5 Swiss Rounds with games. Second on three wins was Christine Eccles, the 2017 champion, and third with just Toby Northern and Gary Cowburn two wins was Lorna Limbrick. winning all 5 matches.

Kerplunk win the KO Cup Charity begins at the home of Liberation

Kerplunk ended Grantez's hopes of completing the league and cup double after winning this year's JPA club knockout cup 4-2. It was sweet revenge for Kerplunk after finishing second to Grantez in the league. Played at the St Peter terrain Grantez winning the opening doubles but Kerplunk hit back by winning the next three doubles, meaning they only had to win either the singles or the triples to lift the trophy. Matt Ryan beat Matt Pinel in the singles to clinch the win, and Grantez's victory in the triples wasn't much consolation. Liberation Pétanque Club’s Limbrick plus Alan Lahiffe, charity triples competition at winning 13-7 against Toby Rock on Tommy Liberation largesse the Weighbridge in September Northern, Steve Simkin & was a topsy-turvy affair. The Colin Myers. The only team A Jersey Pétanque Club A not so unlucky 13 teams took two teams which emerged to win all four games in the charity doubles melee raised a part in Liberation’s charity from the qualifying round in first round, Andrew Bellamy magnificent £1060 for the Open Triples event because a third and fourth place both Burt, Callum Stewart & Matt Robin Ward at the hospital. fantastic £313.50 was raised for won their semi-finals against Pinel, having lost their semi- One of the organisers, Tommy Jersey Children’s Charity the top pair. Then the tables final to the eventual winners, Glennie was delighted with the (along with donations and a were again turned in the final then lost the third-place play- sum raised – and even happier club contribution) which is not with the fourth placed off 10-13 to Neil Selby, Ross because he won the event as far off doubling the amount qualifiers, Andy and Lorna Payne & Neil Bell. well! raised the previous year.

Dates for your Diary (Please note this is only a guide. It’s drawn from the club web- sites and is subject to change. Please check with the host club before attendingAt least any there event) was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, At least

there was no argument about which way to head from the Vic in the Valley car park, DECEMBER 1st Last day of EuroCup final in France

3rd Parish League meeting. St Clement Parish rooms 10.30am 8th LPC Charity Open Doubles, 8.45am for 9am 15th CPC melee and awards presentations, 13.45 for 2pm start 29th CPC Christmas melee, 13.45 for 2pm start

JANUARY 12th Carrefour AGM approx 4pm, following winter melee

FEBRUARY 4th JPA AGM at JPC, 7.30pm 7th St Mary PC AGM 7.30pm 21st Inter Parish lunch, Ambassadeur Hotel, 12.30pm for 1pm

Home Nations 2019: Six of the best?

Carrefour’s progress into the EuroCup finals was never going to be It’s the turn of Wales to host the Home Nations competition next Carrefour’s EuroCup squad August, but as they have only one terrain big enough to host the easy. After being the first Jersey club to actually qualify for the top tournament (in Cardiff) they’ve suggested reducing the number of sixteen they then had real difficulties putting together a team for triples teams to six (so the venue can go to other locations). the event – mainly because of the cost of yet another European However both Scotland and Jersey have indicated they want to adventure and work and family commitments. Captain Steve stick with the eight team format. England have yet to respond. Leathem and top player Mark Nicol were among those unable to take part.

However members rallied round president Bob Morel and a ten- Draft dates for the majors strong party was despatched to St Yrieix-sur-Charente, just north th of Angoulême. The event took place at the Boulodrome Gilbert Guernsey has proposed Sunday, June 16 as the date for next Louis which will be the venue for the next three EuroCup fnals. year’s Inter-Insular as it’s the one with the most favourable ferry schedule. Meanwhile The JPA has proposed the following dates for next year’s major competitions: Men’s and Women’s Triples, Carrefour’s first opponents couldn’t have been tougher, the French th th nd champions from . The result was a 31-0 drubbing and the 27 April; Singles, 25 May; Doubles, 22 June; Free Choice th Jersey team went by the same scoreline in their second game Triples, 20 July. against the Danish club. However there was a morale-boosting Winter winners singles win by Andy Limbrick in third match, against the English Trinity terrain nearing completion representatives from Baldock but who went on to win 29-2.

Playing against a Dutch club in quarter-finals of the Federation Cup, the EuroCup’s plate competition, Carrefour managed two singles wins but losing all three doubles brought the match to a premature end, 17-4.

“We knew we would have a tough time against 15 teams who are far better qualified than us,” said Rosie Boleat. “We have left our mark, everyone knows who we are and we will benefit from this weekend, even if only that we have made friends along the way,”

The new terrain at Trinity, behind the Parish Hall, has been installed and the pavilion is taking shape. The new facility is due to be ready for the new parish season when it begins in February

Politicians in the firing line?

Politicians from Jersey and Guernsey have gone head-to-head in the annual inter-island sporting clash. Jersey States Members travelled to Guernsey to play pétanque and table tennis against their counterparts. Guernsey’s win in the pétanque competition for Liberation will represent Jersey in the EuroCup the second year running helped them to an overall victory. next year after winning the InterClub competition