KENT PÉTANQUE GAZETTE

Transcription

1 September 2007 KENT PÉTANQUE GAZETTE Kent come home trophy-less! Inter-Regionals rethink necessary after triple loss Inside this edition Inter-Regionals 2-3 Tour de France 5 Reports 6,7,11,14 World Champs 7 Junior Reports 8-9 Home Nations 10 League update 12 Kent Classic 13 Letters 15 What s On 15 News For the first time in 11 years Kent have come home from the Brean Sands EPA Inter- Regional Championships with no trophies. Kent, and their predecessors, South East Region, have consistently won Division One, Challenge or Junior titles, often a combination and sometimes all three. But this year, the Kent team in Division 1 came second (to Southern Counties), the Challenge team also came second (to Chiltern Region) and the juniors were in third (behind Southern Counties and Northern ). Last year the seeds were set with close competitions for Division One and the Juniors but now some rethinking by the KPA may be required before the 2008 competition. What was most apparent was not the decline in Kent but the increase in quality in the other Regions with depth throughout their squads.

2 Inter-regional Reports and Results Division 1 Squad Below are the results of each round. As you can see we played well as a squad on Saturday and took a two game lead into Sunday. After a good start on Sunday the wheels fell off with a disastrous 2-7 drubbing by Eastern, which was followed by two more lost rounds. Saturday v Wales Won 6-3 v Chiltern Won 6-3 v Northern Won 5-4 v East Midlands Won 6-3 v Southern Lost 3-6 v Eastern Won 5-4 v West Midlands Won 7-2 Sunday v Northern Won 7-2 v Eastern Lost 2-7 v Southern Lost 4-5 v Chiltern Won 6-3 v East Midlands Lost 3-6 Further analysis of the results shows that 28 games went to double figures (i.e , or 13-10) of these we only won 9 and lost 19. However the whole weekend hinged on the t wo r o u n d s against Southern, both of which we lost. During those two rounds we had 6 close games (to double figures) of which we lost 4. If just two of these games had gone the other way we would have retained the title. Consequently whilst the four game margin seemed significant it was really down to the difference of losing two close games against Southern. From the above you can see that the bottom half of the squad was not as strong as previous years and we only had four teams winning more than half of their games. However the positive points difference is testimony to the Team Performances Won Lost Diff D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Kent D1 Juniors Ch Kent Ch Kent Ch Kent Ch Kent amount of close games we lost. Corinne Cooter Juniors As we have come to expect, our juniors put on a good performance. Like the senior squad their championship also hinged on the two games against Southern, which they unfortunately lost. However they did contribute well to the overall team performance. Corinne Cooter Challenge Once again I was honoured to be the manager of the Kent Challenge squad for the Inter-Regional competition at Pontins, Brean S a n d s t h i s year. Being unable to qualify, this is the next best way to enjoy the excellent weekend. However, as I am sure Sven a n d S t e v e MacLaren agree, being manager brings a whole new meaning to involvement. For the uninitiated, the Challenge squad is a supplementary four teams from each region playing against every Kent Challenge Squad at play Division 1 winners, Southern Counties Region 2006 Junior Triples winners Alex Bruce, Charles Fribbens, Robert Cooter and Philip Jarrett collect their shirts. Play on the main terrain, Brean 2007 Page 2

3 Inter-regional Reports continued other region that wishes to enter. This year that was 12 teams in all, including Devon who dropped out of Division 2 and only put a Challenge squad in to the competition. Therefore their Challenge teams 1-4 were the equivalent of every other regions' main 1-4 teams. The Kent teams were superb. On Saturday, we started off with two perfect scores (all four teams winning) and round 3 was a close 3-1 win. Rounds four and five were the same and we were looking very comfortable. The team was happy with its results and was looking forward to success. Then it started to go a bit wrong. Round 6 was a 2-2 draw against Chiltern who eventually won so the -6 point score would become significant. By mistake, Round 7 was played on Saturday evening instead of Sunday morning and we suffered another 2-2 against Southern who had a strong squad. Perhaps a Sunday morning game would have been better. On Saturday night we were top of the pile but knew that our good results were being matched by Chiltern and Northern regions. On Sunday, Barry Wing was complaining he could not play because he had no hangover. Others were saying the exact opposite. The Challenge squad was probably the most unhungover I have ever seen it (and normally I am the worst but even I had had a good night's sleep) so we were well prepared. We were lying first with a two game advantage over Chiltern and Northern.. The first round on Sunday was a straightforward 3-1 but it was Round 9, mid-morning on Sunday, where it went wrong. We were already tracking our results against Northern and Chiltern who had played one another in the previous round. A 4-0 to Chiltern really stirred things up. We then played East Midlands and lost 1-3 with only one game being closely contested. East Midland were very happy and we felt we had blown the title. Then we heard that Chiltern had also lost 3-1 and therefore we were both still on the same number of games (but they had better points' difference). In Rounds 10 and 11 the squad came together and won 3-1 and 4-0. Frantic to-ing and fro-ing between our games and the Chiltern games kept a close run- ning total on our positions but ultimately we won the same number of games but they had a better points difference than us, by 13 points. Chiltern Kent Ultimately Kent lost the title that they had previously won 4 times from 5, There were other reasons which I am sure the KPA will look at. But this writer's opinion is that it was not the team played badly but the opposition has improved and played better. The Kent Challenge squad statistics show they turned in a slightly better result than last year, the average games result per round was exactly the same as last year and the average points per round was compared to last year's so would have beaten our own 2006 winners. Martyn Fribbens Kent Challenge Squad Kent Division 1 Squad Page 3

4 Final Regional Qualifier Positions 2007 Team Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Reg 1 Reg 2 Reg 3 Reg 4 Total BROWN JUG Roland Jones Tracy Turner Peter Turner Rachid Hannache MNR Nic Baxter Martin Baker Bruno Bove KP 1 Kevin Spillet Dave Turner Dean Ashby REJECTS Dave Hurren Matt Horrigan Rich Spillett Lu000000ke TEAM YELLOW Scott Ashby Jenny Cooter Fribbens OLD SHEAF Kevin Wood Kris Smith Matt Shrimpton Margaret Baxter OLD G'S David Baxter Ken Pinder Hugh Aldred GEORGE 3RD Martin Eggleton Dave Woodman Andrew Williams MOSSY'S BOYS Rob Harvey Jon Holbourn Kevin Atkinson Gary Atkinson Charles Fribbens BTY Alex Bruce Phillip Jarrett Robert Cooter HARTLEY SHAW Colin Senneck Joyce Nash Mick Nash AB FAB KENT ANGELS Chas Shrimpton Mark Dennis Barry Wing Larry Belcher Lynn Shrimpton Faye Golder Sheila King GEORGE-OUS Richard King Neil Phillips Brian King Michelle Cregeen E-DEPOT Alan Cregeen David Blakely JOHN BOI Roy Pemberton C. Watkins K. Maggs Mick Weston FLUMPS Sam Littley Steve Brown Matt Whatley RED ALERT FCUK Stephen Rudden Ryan Rudden Tracey Rudden Daniel Rudden Keith Atkinson Steve Golder Jean-Louis Guiot NUFF SKILLS Geoff Booth Rob Booth Rob Brewis MJL John Bradley Linda Bradley Martyn Fribbens Glynis Johnston P&C 4 Mark Cooter Corrine Cooter C Wilson DEBS D Snook Mark Thorne T Williams P Mount Georgina LITTLE DEVILS Sam Littley Ben Littley Sheppard BAT & BALL Jes Paine Martin Pennell Mick Lawrence EAGLES John Fowers Mags Yates Ron Yates Eileen Fowers HARRIERS NAF N Hurren P Killick A Pucknell LORDSWOOD J Patmore Eric Hatfield I Clarke MINARDOS P Hardwick A Dunstall L Gilbert TOVILEARS P Collins J Selling R Hill Page 4

5 Reports from the Tour de France events Early July saw the first stage of the Tour de France sweep through Kent on its way to France. Several French related events took place around Kent including pétanque competitions. The KPA, with Canterbury City Council, planned a come and try session near the Tour de France finish line and also ran an official Tour event. At Hadlow, The Harrow invited Mark Thorne to help them organise their French-flavoured event. The reports below come from the successes and failures of that weekend. Canterbury Despite numerous discussions in KPA meetings and with Canterbury City Council, it was necessary to abandon the come and try event at the last minute. Bad weather had left the area where the terrains were to be placed in an awful condition. Added to this a lack of effort or commitment from the Council and general apathy from the KPA members meant that Colin Senneck had no choice but to call the event off. Hadlow Meanwhile, at The Harrow in Hadlow, the single piste was in great demand. Lead by Mark Thorne, the locals got into the French mood with a few French drinks and a game of boules. After a demonstration from M a r k, H o w a r d a n d Howard s mate to get the regulars familiar with the rules, the players stopped to watch the cyclists go by and then ate the food laid on by the landlady. At this point the BBC intervened and interviewed the assembled party, which was later broadcast on BBC South East news. The pétanque started shortly afterwards, with a 5-a-side, 2 boules each 20 boules frenzy. Mark reports that as many as 10 as side were playing at one stage when two young ladies decided to try their hand at the game, drawing in several new (male) players. The boys redoubled their efforts when they realised the girls were better than them Mark described the event as manic. They upshot of the event is that the Harrow have asked for coaching and are trying to get a team together, initially for the Winter League. Lordswood 16 Teams participated in what turned out to be a perfect day for pétanque. The play was based on 4 pools of 4 with the top eight teams into the Main and the remainder into the plate. The afternoon saw the same league format for with two pools of 4 for the Main and Plate 4 with the winner of each pool competing in the final. In the Main the runners up in each league competing for the third place prize. Main Winners Losing Finalists Third Place Plate Winners Losing Finalists Surprisingly Tracey Turner and Dave Turner (T&D) failed to make it to the Main. One of the Main leagues was won by the Rejects (Matt Horrigan and Dave Chalkly) and the other by Brown Jug (Kevin Spillett and Roland Jones) They decided to share the prize money and not play a final. The third place was an all Lordswood affair won by Colin Mears and Larry Belcher who beat Maggie Maxey and Eric Hatfield. In the plate final Tracey and Dave Turner played Tracey Rudden and Mark Dennis. The Turners proved too strong for the Lordswood team. The afternoon ended at 5pm after a very successful day. Page 5

6 The KPA 2007 Singles Championships Twenty four determined players turned out for the 2007 KPA Singles Championships at The George PH, Meopham on Friday 29 th June. Fortunately the rain stayed away, and it was far warmer than some years, good for the Organiser & players alike. Play was based on 8 leagues of 4, with the top two going into the Main competition and 8 into the Plate with the games at this stage played to 9 points to allow some chance of finishing before breakfast!! Throughout the evening the draw threw up many possible "domestic" disputes and several club mates also faced each other, yet there were no scores resulting from a desire to maintain harmony. If anything, these rivalries produced some of the hardest fought games of the evening. This year none of the players from The George were able to make best use of home advantage, with the previous final representative, the 2006 winner Trevor Glenn, being knocked out by Hartley's Colin Senneck in the semi finals. Colin went on to face Steve Golder, of the Old Sheaf (pictured with KPA Chairman, Martin Eggleton) in the final. The final was good to watch, as those who had stayed around to the end will confirm, with Steve Golder emerging triumphant as the 2007 KPA Singles Champion, at about 11pm with the score at The Plate quarters showed Tovil s Dean Ashby & Lordswood s Ro y P em ber ton emerging into the semi final, where they beat Tovil s Paul Collins & GRFC s David Baxter. The Final result was Roy Pemberton beating Dean Ashby Report Jack Milner Kent do well at the Jersey Open 19th Open Competition - 5th May 2007 RESULTS: 1st Double X Martin Baker & Sofiane Lachmani (UK) 2nd Bon Paul Bonnie Robert & Paul Duchemin (Guernsey PC) 3rd Just in Time Tim Bechlet & Neil Fennessy (Carrefour) Picture: Winners & Runners-up: Winning centre pair being P&C s Martin Baker & Camb r i d g e s S o f i a n e Lachmani. No other Kent players were mentioned. Extracted from the Jersey website & comments added by Jack Milner, Page 6

7 Kent Doubles Championship Sunday 5 th Aug was the Kent Doubles Championship day held at Hartley Country Club. Incredibly hot temperatures saw many of the participants flagging before lunchtime & even more so after as the heat increased. The shelter of the trees & the covered way places were at a premium as the afternoon progressed. 24 teams entered for the event. After the morning league sessions, 16 went into the main and the other 8 into the plate. The Plate: Was won by Mags and Ron Yates of Hartley who beat Janet and David Rayner of GRFC in the final. The Main semi final losers were: The Bananas team of Rachid Hannache and Martin Baker both of Gillingham s Plough & Chequers, who lost in a close match to the BTY team of Matt Horrigan Lordswood (Chatham) and Dave Chalkley of Plough & Chequers, who after having an easy 11-2 lead ended up having a fight on their hands. The Hartley Shaw team of Joyce and Mick Nash, who were beaten easily by Matt Shrimpton Chatham s Old Sheaf and Kris Smith Plough & Chequers13-4. In the Main final: The on form duo of Matt Horrigan and Dave Chalkley beat Matt Shrimpton and Kris Smith by an extremely easy 13-2, to become Kent s 2007 Doubles Champions. Mick Nash was not only playing but was also running the competition (with help from Colin Senneck and others at Hartley). He was also taking photos, as well as celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary and putting up with considerable abuse from all and sundry because he hadn't bought an anniversary card. Report by Mick Nash, with additional information by Jack Milner World Championships Great Britain was represented at the World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand from 18th to 23rd September by Vanessa Webb, Chris Allen, Herve Bavazzano and Jerome Rousseau. Full details will appear on the BPF website soon but in the meantime here is a summary: GB won 3 of 5 in the group stage which was pretty good coming third behind France 2 and Finland who were the two teams that beat them. So they qualified for the main competition, drawing Italy, Slovenia and Ivory Coast in a barrage where they lost badly to Italy and Slovenia putting GB in 25th place which is not too bad from 55 teams. Team GB joined the Nations Cup (plate) in the 2nd round in a group with Poland (won 13-7), USA (lost 10-13) and Belgium (lost 3-13) putting them 17th in the Nations Cup. France 1 won overall, Henri LACROIX, Philippe SUCHAUD, Bruno LEBOURSI- CAUD, Thierry GRANDET beating Madagascar 13-5 (what happened to games played to 15 in the final?). Italy and Tunisia were the losing semi-finalists. Belgium won the Coupe de Nations, beating Thailand. World Champions, France World Shooting Champion, Carlos RAKOTOARIVELO (Madagascar) Page 7

8 BPF Junior Doubles Luton Juniors Competitions Luton, 21st July report from EPA Pétanque Quarterly Samuel Blakey and Reece Gould of Chiltern won the BPF Junior Doubles title when it was held in Luton on Saturday 21st July. After a dry but windswept start to the event Alex Bruce and Charles Fribbens of Kent were the only undefeated team going into the fifth and final round of the Swiss system. They were matched against Samuel and Reece who were the best of the teams on three wins. Unfortunately the match was interrupted half way through when the heavens opened but the boys soldiered on and Samuel and Reece ran out worthy winners in that deciding match to take the title. Results (Top 3): The EPA Junior Doubles and Triples were held over the weekend of 15th and 16th September at the Sandown and Shanklin PC, Isle of Wight. The weekend was poorly attended with most regions not sending representatives, only Kent, Isle of Wight and Southern regions having players there. The EPA recognises that the difficulty and cost of getting to the Isle of Wight, especially only a week after the Inter-Regional Championships, played a significant part in the lack of interest and aims to change venue and date next year. However, that did not take away anything from the teams who did turn up and Page 8 1st Reece Gould & Samual Blakey (Chiltern) 2nd Alex Bruce & Charles Fribbens (Kent) 3rd Samantha Littley & Deborah Elcome (Kent/Southern) Official Results: Junior Doubles Championship held at Luton P.C. in the EPA s Chiltern Region 21st July. Organiser: Mike Pegg Umpire: John Thatcher Rank Team No Name 1 Name 2 Region Score BHN fbhn Match Points GOULD, Reece / BLAKEY, Samuel Chiltern :1 58: BRUCE, Alexander / FRIB- BENS, Charles Kent :1 61: ELCOME, Deborah / LITTLEY, Samantha Southern Counties / Kent :1 61: HUNTLEY, Amy / McCLUSKEY, Ria Chiltern :1 63:43 played very well against some very tough competition. On Saturday, the winners of the Junior Doubles title were the Kent/Southern team of Samantha Littley (Villager, Vigo ) and Deborah Elcome (Southern Counties Region). In Second place were Robert Cooter and Philip Jarrett (Plough and Chequers) and third were brothers Charles and Elliott Fribbens (Hartley). All through the weekend, a shooting competition was held and Philip Jarrett won this so is now English Petanque Associate Junior Shooting Champion SEVILLE, Sabrina / SEVILLE, Josh East Midlands :2 51: SEVILLE, Lori / STOCK- BRIDGE, Emma East Midlands / Isle of Wight :2 52: LIPETZ-ROBIC, Sam / MARQUES, Guillaume WPA :2 49: MANLEY, Helen / DENNIS, Charlotte Southern Counties :3 53: WALKER, Peter / LICKORISH, Kirsty East Midlands :3 46: COOTER, Robert / JARRETT, Philip Kent :3 43: PARKER, Annie / WALLER, Christian Southern Counties :3 39: LEE, Rhys / LEE, Rhydian WPA :3 48: LONGSTAFF, Emma / CRITCHLEY, Morgan East Midlands :3 40: O'ROURKE, Max / JONES, Ross Chiltern :3 40: BROOKS, Martin / SEPE, Giacomo Southern Counties :4 24:59 EPA Junior Double for Kent s Sam Littley On Sunday, the EPA Junior Triples competition was again dominated by Kent with Samantha Littley and Deborah Elcome once again being part of the winning team, this time with Gary Atkinson from the George, Meopham as their third player. Second were Robert Cooter and Philip Jarrett who were joined by Charles Fribbens and in third were newcomers Ben and Joshua Littley (Villager, Vigo ) partnered by Elliott Fribbens. The weather was very kind, especially on Saturday and the facilities and welcome were excellent. Those who made the effort all agreed that the result justified the time and the expense.

9 Juniors Competitions EPA Doubles winners, Sam Littley, Debbie Elcome with Mike Pegg EPA Triples winners, Gary Atkinson, Sam Littley, Debbie Elcome French Invite for Juniors Kent Juniors at EPA Championships Back: Gary Atkinson, Phil Jarrett, Rob Cooter, Charles Fribbens, Sam Littley, Ben Littley. Front: Josh Littley, Elliott Fribbens Report by Brian Stote (from the EPA Petanque Quarterly) An invited team of English juniors, Alex Bruce, Charles Fribbens and Samantha Littley, together with David Blakeley as head of delegation and chaperone, and myself as coach and manager, travelled from Stansted to Marseille on Friday, August 3rd. The invitation was engineered by former EPA member Dr Philippe Roche, now resident in Marseille. The brief for the visit was to experience playing under continental conditions, to learn as much as possible about the French approach to the game, particularly at the younger age level, and to forge local links which might be advantageous to the development of English pétanque. After observing, on the Saturday and attending an official reception our juniors took part in a pétanque tournament on Sunday morning as one of 20 invited teams, including the Spanish champions from Catalonia and two of the recently crowned French World Junior Champions. Running parallel to their competition were similar tournaments for 'minimes', cadets and ladies, all with some of the best players from various regions of France. Whilst they did not play to potential, our team learned an enormous amount about the qualities which we are looking to replicate in England and, on the Sunday afternoon, took part in a melee in which teams were composed of a junior, a cadet and a minime. We were all impressed by the skills of the youngest players, some only 6 years old, and Alex contributed well to his team's three undefeated games, coming home the proud possessor of an inscribed plaque and a spending card worth 40 euros. We met several very influential coaches and top French players (Sam got to partner a Junior World Champion, Logan Clere, in a friendly) and all agreed that the trip had been beneficial in many different ways. Thanks to Philippe and to Fred Ney for their advice, taxi service and support during our stay. Page 9 The EPA representatives from Kent in Milles, near Marseille Front row: L to R Charles Fribbens, Sam Littley and Alex Bruce. Back row: Francois Galves (French National Junior Coach), Fred Ney (National Ladies' Coach), Francois Grange (National Junior Coach), Philippe Roche, David Blakeley and Brian Stote.

10 Kent lead England to Home Nations triumph 11th -12th August, Inverness,Scotland Whilst most of the Kent squad was heading South to take on the French in Dunkirk a party of 10 KPA members, along with supporters, headed North to Inverness in Scotland over the weekend of 11th -12th August to represent England in the Home Nations Tournament. The weather was mainly dry on Saturday but wet on Sunday with the new pistes at the Loch Ness Golf Course, Inverness, becoming waterlogged but the quality and depth of the England squad overcame the difficulties. The Scottish Pétanque Association arranged various events and ensured the whole weekend went smoothly. The long journeys that all had seemed to have been worthwhile. As expected there were no surprises as England won their eighth consecutive Home Nations title despite the depleted English squad which didn t include the top 3 qualifying teams. The victory wasn t as emphatic as last year s but the newly laid terrains proved to be a great leveller for the competitors. For the eighth year in a row England recorded a double by winning both the Home Nations and Junior Home Nations titles. All the KPA players acquitted themselves well and in particular our juniors who were top team over the weekend winning all 12 of their games with a points difference of A magnificent achievement. Like the adults the English juniors also won an eighth straight title. Again the outcome was no surprise as England were represented by the current British Junior Champions (Stuart Floyd, Helen Manley and Charlotte Dennis) and the current English, and former British, Junior Champions (Robert Cooter, Alex Bruce, Phillip Jarrett and Charles Fribbens). However the level of the victory was quite emphatic as they lost just one of their 24 games. Top performers: Top performers over the weekend were England 9 with 12 wins out of 12 and a phenomenal +116 points difference while England 8 were the top adults with 12 wins +86 points. Home Nations final results: Kent was represented by the following members: EPA 1 was Irene Gibbs, Colin Gibbs and Colin Senneck EPA 5 was Mark Cooter, David Blakely and Allan Cregeen EPA 9 (juniors) was Phil Jarrett, Alex Bruce, Robert Cooter and Charles Fribbens Junior Home Nations final results The KPA contingent of the English Home Nations squad Pictured right Back row: Allan Cregeen, Colin Gibbs, David Blakely, Irene Gibbs, Colin Senneck, Mark Cooter Front row: Robert Cooter, Alex Bruce, Philip Jarrett, Charles Fribbens Page 10

11 International North Sea tournament The 28th International North Sea Pétanque Tournament was held in Travemünde, Germany between June. The Great Britain Squad consisted of (Kent in bold): GB1 - N.Baxter, S.Lachani & M.Eversden GB2 M.Hickman, D.Blakeley & A.Bruce GBE K.Smith, C.Gidlow & D.Seville GBL T.Turner, M.Huntley & S.Huntley GBJ R.Marston, J.Barrington & A.Willis Coaches M.Eggleton & A.Thomas (HoD) Tovil WMC - Sunday 29 th July 2007 On Sunday, 29th July 2007, 16 teams turned up at Tovil W.M.C. to play in the Harriers Petanque Club Ricard Cup competition. The weather turned out fine for the day after all the rain in the previous few days. Neville Hurren, (Harriers) turned up without a partner as did Dan Hill from Croydon, so the pair teamed up for the day and won through to the final of the Main Competition. They played as the team name "Anything". Last Year's winners Y.P.C. (The Towers, South Weald, Essex) Dean Little and Keith Flack returned In his opening address INSPT President, Andrew Lloyd, stated that The North Sea Tournament is a unique format in World Class level with teams made up of all the different groupings, working together to achieve the best possible results for their whole nation. Whilst those results are measurable, the friendship that develops between players and officials of all the nations cannot be measured but is of enormous importance. After 3 days of play Germany retained the title for a fourth consecutive year. Belgium Harriers Ricard Cup Page 11 hoping to retain the Cup for a second year. They managed to get through to the final, but unfortunately lost to the very talented Dan Hill, whose shooting throughout the whole competition was second to none, and Neville Hurren, who was also very much on song with his pointing and the pair could do no wrong. The final score was 13-2 to Dan and Neville. The Plate Competition Final was contested between Harriers Chestnuts ( Barry Soilleux and Elaine Jackson) and Rob and Sam (Robert Cooter and Sam Littley). It was rather a one sided game with the Chestnuts winning. managed to improve on recent performances to finish second with Sweden third and Netherlands fourth. For the fifth year running Denmark, Britain and Norway finished in fifth, sixth and seventh places respectively. Results courtesy of INSPT Final Tables 2007: 1st. Germany 44 wins 2nd. Belgium 42 wins 3rd. Sweden 38 wins 4th. Netherlands 35 wins 5th. Denmark 26 wins 6th. Great Britain 16 wins 7th. Norway 9 wins Cash and wine prizes were given for the Main Competition and wine for the Plate. Clubs represented were Plough and Chequers, Old Sheaf (Mossy's Tav- ern), Lordswood, Tovil, Southampton, Northern Region, The Towers (Essex), Croydon, Villager Neville Hurren, Harriers (Michael Gear, Chairman of Harriers P.C. who presented the prizes) Dan Hill, Croydon. and Harriers." Report: Denise Williams Secretary Harriers P.C.

12 KPL Summer Season League update By the time you read this the season will be all but over with the final games being played and the tables sorting themselves out. Here is a quick summary for those in the other divisions or outside of the KPL. In Division 1 Plough and Chequers have not had it all their way and their three teams are spread out at the top, middle and bottom. However, P&C2 have a clear lead at the top over George 1. P&C3 and Villager look like they will go down although Old Cocks are not safe yet. Page 12 Changing places with them, Tovil Tornadoes and Vale Tavern look set for promotion to Division 1. GRFC barbarians and Seal Whites look destined for Division 3, swapping places with Harriers 1. them. They will be joined by either Lordswood 4 or George 2 from Division 3. Two Hartley teams are rooted to the bottom of Division 3, Kestrals and Hawks, although Kestrals may overtake The Optimists. In Division 4, Ightham could still catch Toviliers but Singleton Barn look destined for promotion. At the bottom Redstart, Walnut Fishermen, Sydney Arms and Walnut Tree are all scrapping to stay up. Division 5 has a clear leader, Duke of Wellington 1 who look like being joined by Veterans although Borstal Mudlarks or even White House Lions could join This division is very tight and Lloyds, Pilot and Luddesdowne Cocks could all be relegated still. Division 6 is another close group although the Three Tuns and Villager Hurricanes look safe for promotionwhereas at the bottom New Ash Green Ditton Kiln Barners and Old Sheaf Stingers are all possible relegatees. Division 7 is also tight with White House Senators, Sydney Small Arms and Hartley Kites battling to rise to Division 6, whereas Villager D and Colyer Arms are KPL Summer Doubles League tables League 1 P W F A Diff Lordswood Hartley GRFC Sherwood John Middleton, Secretary KPL johngfmiddleton@hotmail.com already doomed to fall to Division 8. In that division White House Presidents could be overtaken by Lordswood 7 to top the group but it is unlikely that Villager E can join them. Ditton Streamliners and Borstal Sandpipers are firmly at the bottom with Borstal the more likely to get the wooden spoon. KPA Notice of Annual General Meeting As at 13 September League 2 P W F A Diff Old Sheaf Hartley Horsa Lordswood Lordswood Notice is hereby given that the 2 nd Annual General Meeting of the Kent Pétanque Association will be held at GRAVESEND RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Milton Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2TL on Thursday 15 th November 2007 Commencing at 8.00 p.m. Details of agenda, nomination methods and motions can be found at Notice.htm

13 The ab fab Kent Indoor Classic The Classic competition, next year will be held on Sunday 10 th February This year the competition will benefit from significant sponsorship from ab fab Flowers of Walderslade. In return the competition will be known as the Ab Fab Indoor Classic and marketed under the Ab Fab Logo. This allows a big prize of 500 to the winners and various subsidiary prizes from a prize pot of 2,500. It is planned to invite top ranking teams from Spain, France, Holland and Belgium. There will be a limit of 96 teams, accepted on a first come basis (Prior year prize winners will be guaranteed entry). Entry forms are available from your club or you can cut out the form below and send to the address shown together with a cheque for 7 per player made out to the Kent Pétanque Association. The organising committee has extended its thanks to Mark Dennis of Lordswood whose team is sponsored by Ab Fab and who was instrumental in introducing them as possible sponsors for the Indoor Classic and to David Baxter for concluding the deal with ab fab ab fab Kent Indoor Classic Entry : Send before January 28 th 2008 to D Baxter, 28 Ingress Park Avenue, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9XJ Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player Classic at Detling 2007 Classic finalists I enclose cheque (payable to Kent Pétanque Association) for... ( 7 per player) Signed.... Contact ... Address... Post Code... Tel.... Page 13

14 Crowborough Sports Shield Doubles The Crowborough Pétanque Club held their Sports Shield Doubles on the 9 th September. The weather was ideal for playing with mostly warm sunshine without it being too hot. Sixteen teams entered from Chiltern, Kent, Surrey and Southern Counties Regions. The competition got off to a prompt start at ten-oclock, with the morning s play being divided into four leagues, the best two teams from each league going forward into the main. There were many close fought games ending in and no team was fannied, the morning games were finished by when the lunch break was taken. Two Crowborough P.C teams went through into On Sunday 12 th August, a fine sunny day the Compaid Charity Doubles was held. Twelve teams entered with one team travelling from London by train. The play in the morning was divided into three leagues with the first and second from each league and the next best two from the rest going into the main. There was some very good pointing and shooting in the morning and most teams produced some good pétanque. Three teams won every one of their league games, three teams lost all theirs and there were three fannies. Page 14 the Main but unfortunately were eliminated in the quarter or the semi-finals. The semi-finals saw Handcross (Nigel Sibbring &Tony Watson) knock out the Crows (Dorothy Bickford & Martin Gordon) 13-8 and Frog Eyes (Neville & Pam Plimmer) Harriers played really well against Mad Hatters E i g h t t e a m s went forward into the main competition after lunch. All the q u a r t e r f i n a l s were hard f o u g h t resulting Mad Hatters Sport Shield Winners in those going forward only won by one or two points. Bordeaux Coffee (David Bourdeau and Cristof Choffy) Croydon beat M&M (Merle Sullivan and Mark Barlow) Croydon and met (Richard Holland & Elaine Chappell) Chiltern before going out The final looked to be a one sided affair with the Mad Hatters on 9-0 before a cheer rang out when Handcross scored one point, the Mad Hatters got to 12 but Handcross would not give up and Crowborough Compaid Doubles Compaid Doubles Winners 2007 Handcross (Tony Kidd and Derek Offer) Handcross beat Dyson (Joan Fread and Gladys Tester) Crowborough 13-1 to go into the final. Bordeaux Coffee won the toss and went into to the lead with some good played several more ends before Mad Hatters managed to get the last vital point to win In the plate the final was one of the best games of the day Alana (Albert & Diana Hollis) Adur met Martlets (Glad Reed & Tilde Waldron) Crowborough, Martlets getting in some excellent pointing only to be shot out time and time again by Alana. The scores were creeping up evenly matched with the Martlets on and three boules on the jack but Albert shot them all off, unluckily sending the jack up the piste on to another Martlets boulé bringing the score to In the last end Martlets with one boule on the jack managed to get their last one on as well to win a very even and hard fought game. Both reports from Tom Waldron pointing from both teams. Progress was slow with every end being won by one point. The score was 7-0 before Handcross began to score and gradually over took their opposition with the score at in Handcross s favour. It could have gone either way but Tony who had been pointing well all through the game pointed straight on to the jack and Cristof missed the shot to leave Tony to put his next boule on the jack again to take the winners trophy. A total of 220 was raised for this deserving charity

15 Your letters and s Your s are very welcome and we will always publish your thoughts and comments (assuming they are publishable and you wish them to be shared). Please send your s for publication to Letters are also welcome at the address on Page 13. From Ian Usmar Borstal Sandpipers Question? Does it seem to be taking a very long time to rewrite books on our sport. I have been after a copy of ""Petanque - A Coaching Course" for more than 12 months now. Surely someone can get this and other books. Websites advertise various books but with the proviso that as mentioned they are being rewritten. What s on for the rest of 2007? September Page 15 From Mike Dow, Stirling I think I have spotted a mistake! Brown Jug twice! Good newsletter though From The Editor Well spotted Mike, the table on page 4 of Issue 24 was incorrect. Apologies to Kent Angels (Fay Golder, Lyn Shrimpton, Sheila King) for missing them out. BPF - British & International Events From Robin Gordon, Lyddair I wondered if you might be interested in the events in Le Touquet? We fly daily into the resort from Lydd Also see in French mostly but tourist office V helpful. I have played a bit in the past and just thought the idea might interest you! EPA - English National Events KPA - Kent County Events Sat 29 th EPA Champion of Champions Doubles Ickleford SSC, Chiltern Doubles Sun 30 th EPA Champion of Champions Triples Ickleford SSC, Chiltern Triples Sun 30 th KPA Triples Championship The Villager, Vigo Triples October Kent Club Events Sun 7 th Kent League Handicap Lordswood Club teams Sun 14 th HCC Open Mixed Doubles Hartley CC Doubles Sun 21 st Plough & Chequers Cash Doubles Plough & Chequers, Gillingham Doubles Sat 27 th EPA AGM Ring o Bells, Bristol Conference Sun 28 th Crown Cup The Crown, Seal, Nr Sevenoaks Doubles November 3 rd - 4 th EPA International Tournament Godmanchester, Cambridge Triples Sun 4 th Icicle Doubles Lordswood S&SC Doubles Sun 11 th BPF Congress Conference Sun 11 th Remembrance Day Doubles Harriers, Tovil WMC Doubles Thur 15 th KPA AGM GRFC Conference Sun 25 th Dolores Rodriguez Memorial Trophy Crowborough Doubles December Sun 2 nd Xmas Hamper Doubles Plough & Chequers, Gillingham Doubles Organisers remember to send reports and pictures to The Gazette

16 Coaching update Schools and youth David Lavelle, EPA National Coach, has confirmed that he is available to run another course for Grade 3 Coaches at Lordswood in the near future. Already signed up are: David Baxter Mark Thorne Tracey Rudden Roy Pemberton Barry Soilleux If you wish to join them, contact the KPA Regional Coaching Coordinator, Eric Hatfield eric.hatfield@blueyond er.co.uk From the EPA News The Schools Cup is being sponsored by Integrale and is being held on Sunday 7 th October 2007 at a venue to be decided depending on entries. Junior Fund use suggestions The fund was set up in 2003 following an idea by Jack Milner. The current fund stands at around 300 which is diminishing. At present, most of the money is used to support Kent Juniors when attending International events and, occasionally, National events. The KPA hopes that the fund can be increased to help it spread the game among the youth of Kent through arranging some Junior-only events and some high profile coaching. If any members have ideas for improving the junior participation, should funds be avail- able, please let a KPA committee member or The Gazette know. Also if you have ideas for raising money for the Junior Fund your suggestions and donations will be welcome. Suggestions will be discussed at the next KPA committee meeting. There are Primary and Secondary Sections and entries should be sent to Kath Knight, Youth Development Officer of the EPA kath@knight1308.frees eerve.co.uk by 17th September. In Flight Pétanque The September edition of the Ryanair Magazine has a front page feature titled A Load of Boule with a lengthy article about playing the sport in France, contact details for various countries and an article on Irish champion Richard Elvin. The items can also be found online at Letter from the Danes ryanairmag.com/2007/09/11/ throw-your-own/ From Mette Cornelius-Knudsen, of Hedebo Club Kanlslunde, nr Copenhagen to Jack Milner ref match against Plough and Chequers. Thank you ever so much for sending the newsletter and photo from our competition at your club. We will put it up on our website in the near future. Also I would like you, on our behalf, to thank "Plough & Chequers" for a wonderful and well arranged tournament and for your warm and well coming hospitality. Our next match against the Dutch team will take place the 29th. of July. We are very much looking forward to that day. Page 16

17 Advertisements The Gazette is coming over all commercial. For some time we have carried a box ad by Mark Thorne (see below) and there has been interest lately in adding some more small advertisements. From the next edition we will carry adverts from anyone who wishes to promote their goods or services or classifieds to a potential 800 member readers. We shall make a small charge for this which will be donated to the KPA Junior Fund. A small two line advertisement will cost 2 for a single edition or 10 for an annual insert (8-10 editions). A box (approx ¼ page) will cost 5 for a single edition or 25 for the year. Please provide copy or artwork plus a cheque to the KPA to the address at the foot of this page. Jes flies high with Jet Set Pétanque playing quizzer, Jes Paine of the Bat & Ball PC in Kent, recently featured on three editions of the BBC Lottery quiz Jet Set. Unluckily for Jes he made the final twice and then the semi-final but just missed out on a luxury trip. On the plus side though the shows went out live on Wednesday evenings when all his mates were out playing in the Kent Pétanque League so no one knows about it! From the EPA Pétanque Gazette Nord Maritime Martin Eggleton reports that the Nord Maritime fixture between Kent and Nord Maritime, this year held across The Channel, resulted in a narrow loss of 33 games to 31. At the recent KPA committee meeting he expressed the Association s thanks to David Baxter & Ken Buchan for organising the visit Editor s Notes I would like to apologise for the late production of this Gazette which was due to technical reasons and pressure of work. I apologise as well if I have missed your article or report. The views expressed in the KE T PÉTA QUE GA- ZETTE are those of the editor and contributors only. They do not, necessarily, reflect the views of the Kent Pétanque Association, the British Pétanque Federation or the English Pétanque THOR E PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Fascia. Soffits. Guttering. Bargeboards Double Glazing If it s broken let us fix it % Discount to pétanque members and their families MAINTENANCE OF WINDOWS & DOORS Sealed Units. Window Locks. Window Handles Door Locks. Door Handles. Solar Film. Security Film Gaskets. Sealant Hinges. Door Closers. Restrictors KPL Cup & Plate finals Kent Pétanque League Cup and Plate Finals will be held at Hartley Country Club, Culvey Close, Hartley, DA3 8BS on Friday 28 th September 2007, starting at 8pm. The Cup Final will be contested between Bat& Ball and Plough & Chequers 1. The Plate Final will be between Seal Whites and Lordswood 4. The Kent Pétanque Gazette is edited by: Martyn Fribbens Any items for inclusion should be sent to: The Editor, Kent Pétanque Gazette, 16 Old Downs, Hartley, Longfield, Kent DA3 7AA Tel : gazette@fribbens.co.uk