Snow's gone on LPC Piste. It had almost disappeared yesterday. Some of us forlorn souls went up to our Piste to blow away the Winter cobwebs and apply salve to our disappointment at no Pennant Winter League Finals. Understandable, of course. Some wonderful Fairy Godmother (Godfather??) had piled up the remaining stubborn snow to one side. Our damp, sodden Piste was laid bare. So we set to and had a few games. Alan Roden was being EXTERMINATED..in our Winter League LPC competition until 3 ends to go. He dug deep into that plethora of experience that no quick fix on my behalf could do justice to. 12-12 neck and neck. I could almost hear his teeth gnashing. Those blue eyes (laser beams) locked onto the coche. He delivered his boule. His last boule. Not a continent away but not nuzzling the coche either. Easy peasy. 'Get in there' I thought as my boule advanced; an exorcet missile released to kill. Did it kill? Did it? No. 'Say farewell as you wave me goodbye dah dah dah...' Alan Roden 13. Gill Mason 12. Little bloke strutted off the Piste dead chuffed. I had a great game. Loved every minute. Lost to the Grand Master. Only just! Gill Ps. Excellent games with other LPC members too. Lots of fun but noticeable honing of skills with an eye cocked towards the upcoming Petanque Season. Bring it on. Gill Mason
Went to a BEAST OF A PISTE today....Where? Well, Bancroft Park. Of course! T'was there Snow Boule. When I arrived there was a swarm of Bancroft Park players and a gathering of Axe and Compass usual suspects...Cindy, Phil, Debbie et al...Then me. An Alien from LPC. But I was made very welcome by Chief Elf Brian and everyone. Three timed games and mince pies, hot coffee and hot, CRISPY sausage rolls provided by the Good Elf Jan herself! And my goodness, as the rain pelted down and the Piste turned swampy, we needed sustenance...I found myself in teams that were a mixture of B. P. and A&C. Lovely people. Just have to mention Mary (B.P.) Oh boy, WHAT a pointer! She must have been a Blood Hound in a previous life. She snucked her wet boule SLAM DUNK next to the coche every time. Magic. And lovely 'burry' Stewart (A+C). We shared many giggles on and off Piste but he too pointed par excellence. A privilege to play with all of these talented people. It ticked all of the boxes for me...Food, beast of a Piste, fantastic' Playmanship' and....hugs, giggles, jokes to bind it altogether. Thank you Brian for inviting me. Hope to see these people at LPC for OUR Snow Boule Friday 29.12.17. When we can have another jamboree! Yeah!
Recently, a group of Chiltern Petanque players descended on the hallowed grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital following favourable negotiations between 'Our Man on the Ground' Gordon Ansell and his opposite number Michael Hall on behalf of the Chelsea Pensioners. Both men had met weeks previously and over coffee and a game on the newly installed pristine Piste (Petanque playing arena), a warm invitation was extended to Gordon and his team to 'come on down' and play a few games with Michael and his trusty band of keen but relatively inexperienced players. Indeed, the reason for such a visit was to impart some formality into the game. A 'come and try' event if you like. Learning as you go. And so it turned out to be! The day dawned bright and full of promise. Blue skies up above. Warm sunshine. Not a cloud to be seen. Ten Chiltern players decked out in their team colours approached the resplendent site of gleaming wrought iron gates and manicured lawns, beyond which stood the unmistakable architecture of Sir Christopher Wren. Standing proud and tall, the bespoke 325 year old Royal Hospital Chelsea. Commissioned by Charles II for veteran army soldiers to live out their retirement after many years of battle. His legacy lives on today as we found out as we walked through gardens bedecked with flowers and plants buzzing with the lazy hum of bees and the sweet sent of honeysuckle Beyond the archway lay our Shangri-la. Enclosed in the Courtyard, opposite a very aptly positioned Cafe, stood a golden rectangle of sandy Piste. Still in its infancy but fit for purpose. Awaiting its final Jewel in the Crown - a top coating of grit to give it permanency and durability. Michael was there, hand outstretched in friendship. From that moment on things just got better and better. Mike introduced us to his fellow enthusiasts. One lady among a group of six men. Charmaine had been 23 years in the Military Police. She was stalwart, straight backed, sharper than a box of knives. And she plunged into the games with the same considered application and verve that I daresay she displayed during her illustrious Army Career. We played two games of Triples. All 'mix and match.' Their team and ours. It was not fast and furious. Or slow and lugubrious. It was a learning curve for us all. Our wonderful hosts more than made up for any Petanque short falls. They were gracious, as keen as mustard, humorous, humble, willing, courteous. They were a joy. To talk to, to be with, to play with, to laugh and joke with and share light hearted banter. Already, at the end of the game, they had picked up the rudiments of the rules, had watched first hand how our Shooters dispatched the opposition's boule and were developing some excellent 'pointing' techniques. We retired hot and thirsty to the Cafe for refreshments and 'after game' discussion. Such a positive group of people. Full of optimism and determination. Mike had made vast leaps in such a short length of time. The Piste erected, two classes of local school children already 'hooked' on the game after playing with the Pensioners. Smaller boules for juniors having been bought ready for the job. Scoreboards made and ready. Just disabled access to get implemented. Want a job done? Don't go to Trust a Trader! The Chelsea Pensioners will be there in a tick. Job done and dusted. Bull dog spirit alive and kicking. We left with goodie bags and the promise that we will see them in the near future. At their Piste or up to ours, here in the Chiltern Region. Such glorious anticipation. Somehow, gently and magically, those honourable and proud Pensioners, crept into our hearts and stole them. Without a drop of blood being shed. Incredible. Tuesday evening saw the usual suspects from Sports Bar saunter onto our Piste here at Luton. They were a (largely) well revered cluster of very skilled players. The Family Huntley for one. Grandma Rosina, daughter Myra and partner Adrian, son Jeremy and daughter Sarah. Not forgetting Geoff White, veteran of the Petanque Circuit.
The Huntleys have won many 'scalps' here in the Chiltern Region and beyond at the Nationals and Abroad. With amazing regularity Their united skill is immense. Watching them limber up was like seeing poetry in motion. Sarah Huntley, fresh from a National Championship (she was successful,as ever) should be renamed 'The Boule Assassin' because every shot was on target and as forceful as any man could deliver. Then the game started in earnest...To and fro, to and fro. The ends waxed and waned with surprising results...Our chaps battled in the grit. Tape measures flourished over close set boule. Coches re-thrown after biting the dust short of required distance. Teeth gnashed in annoyance and frustration. And as the very last boule was thrown, the Aviators were flying! They had completed their mission. Like a sortie of Hurricanes they had twisted and turned, blazed a trail of glory, not in the moth laden sultry night sky above, but in the dusty, dry grit below. Incredible. The Huntley family lost out on their 'scalp' Our guys returned to their hangar, folded their wings away for another great win. But for now, cool Rev James beers to slake dry throats and time to rejoice and relax. And enjoy good natured banter with the 'Huntley Crew.' Following a hot day the evening was warm and sultry. Our opponents, in their pale blue team kit flooded onto our Piste in readiness for a good, hard fought match. They were not disappointed!
Three formidable lady players from Luton Jets were up against three equally determined men from the opposition. It did not go well for the ladies from the get-go. It seemed they were stuck in the (sparse) grit. End after end saw Martyn Gray's grenades nuzzle the fickle coche... But the ladies foud inner strength and stormed back (no pun intended) to find themselves, like their opponents, on 'sticky 12' The last end was the decider. Martyn pitched his last boule to lie a good 2 and a half feet from the coche. The final boule from the Jets rolled straight and true towards that annoyingly inapproachable coche. Breath was held, eyeballs riveted, silence prevailed except for metal on stone as the final boule slicked past the coche to give The Storm their win: 13-12. What a game though! And more to come! Our husband and wife team Rosie and Kevin Moore teamed up as Doubles. Rosie's shiny boule twinkled in the floodlights as she strove hard to point nearest the coche. Play swung forwards and backwards. Points for the opposition and points for us. And again, down to the wire our gallant duo battled. Kevin, shooting well to keep the opponents boule away from the coche. Determination had set in like a bulldog's jaw and sheer doggedness and resolve saw our happy duo win the game. They deserve a special mention and surely 'Man and Woman' of the Match. Not long on the Petanque circuit, they have just got better and better. An absolute pleasure to watch! Keep it up guys! Last words? Well, The Storm won, but judging by last night's endeavours, we are a force to contend with. Thursday night saw Luton Three Shires Teams splash to victory... well almost!
On the same night that saw the Hatters battle bravely against their valiant opponents Blackpool, all three Luton teams played their hearts out despite incessant stair rod rain cascading down soaked cagoules and depositing yet more water on a sopping wet Piste. Boules danced among the puddles or plopped unceremoniously in the mire. It was hard going. However, the inclement weather just hardened everyone's resolve. Stiff upper lip, chins out, we Brits showed True Grit! On the top Piste it was a close run match between LPC's sister teams, the Blockers and the Boaters with the Boaters just clinching it with a score of 3-2. Both Captains coaxed their teams into a nail biting finale. It was a great match with some excellent pointing and shooting despite the weather. On the lower Piste, Luton's Plaiters played Ickleford Panthers splashing and sploshing about in even bigger puddles. Life Guards were on hand to save the coches from drowning! 'He's only a little 'un. For Gawd's Sake, save 'im!' cried the Skipper standing in the ring a good 9 metres from a disaster waiting to happen...but a lofty shot slicked the little geezer out of its watery tomb and another end was won. Final Score? Plaiters 4, Panthers 1. A great victory for the Home side! A mad dash for the Club House ensued. Warmth, food and Rev. James beers beckoned. Wet clothes were peeled off and we all sat and enjoyed a tasty spread. A good end to a great evening. Gary's mouth watering home made beef stew warmed our insides and chased the last vestiges of cold away. Lovely jubbly Gaz. Our second trip to Cabanas eclipsed out trip last year. The good word had spread and this year we had 32 people interested! As per usual, the organisation on all levels was tremendous. Our husband and wife team in Cabanas, Richard and Carole Stevens, sorted out 'all things Portugal' to the 'nth degree' and Alan and Sheila Roden finalised things here in the UK; liaising with them to make sure everything was ratified re flights, baggage, transfers etc.,
We arrived in Cabanas to sunshine and high winds. Our lovely apartments awaited us. And it wasn't long before we met our gracious Portuguese friends on the Piste and a wonderful weekend of Petanque, banter, delicious food, cool beers and cider, tasty Portuguese 'Toasties' and Cabanas itself fringing the Atlantic where the waves lashed sandy shores and the fishing boats bobbed on little 'white horses.' Oh Glory! It was fabulous. From start to finish. We have always been given a warm welcome here and we were not disappointed this time either! On Saturday the wind dropped and we basked in warm sunshine throughout the ensuing weekend. After each long but satisfying day playing Petanque and enjoying our meals, we sipped our night caps recounting our day's play. Camaraderie at its best, beneath the stars, outside our local cafe/bar, warm and replete, Bliss! Our thanks to all the people who made this trip unforgettable...Carole, Richard, Alan, Sheila, Mario, Brownilo, Gill and Fernando; all the Portuguese people actually. All just so lovely and friendly and us! Roll on next year... Ps. Great to have The Huntley family on board too. They gave the Portuguese lads ' a run for their money!' Great 2 hours + at LPC today. Good turnout. And well organised. Three groups of people having coaching
1. Three lovely youngsters having ace coaching from Steve Z. Saw Nicola Proctor's son there among two well known faces; Archie and Soelie. 2. Pointing practice featuring Danny Simms at the helm and a group of enthusiastic adults gaining from his wisdom and skill. 3. Shooting practice with Sean Prendegast and Ollie Z. Many thanks to Ollie who had infinite patience with my MANY efforts to shoot precisely and properly. He was so encouraging and helpful with pearls of wisdom and advice. EVENTUALLY I did manage a few carefully placed shots. I just kept going and going. I now have one arm 3 ft longer than the other! Sean was as adept with his team. We all learned such a lot from these two guys. Then....the REAL challenge! A game incorporating all we had learned. My goodness. Aided and abetted by Gordon Ansell, we shaped up quite a bit. A lot more to this 'game play' than meets the eye let me tell you! Andy Hing played brilliantly for the opposite team and our man John Spencer used his shooting practice to good avail by getting some well placed shots in. Good pointing by Rosemary and Michael. And all the while, Sean and Gordon asking us 'Why should we do this? Or what should we do next? Making us think. As well as the resounding clunk of boulles, there was the simultaneous whir of 8 brains on the Piste like a little army of beetles wings... You need to come and experience all this fantastic coaching yourselves! Gill Mason TrainingThe day started dank and chilly. Awaiting us in the swirling mist was Ross with all his 'tools of torture.' Our training session had begun. Various tyres, sliced to fit purpose, aligned along the Piste. Each tyre accompanied by either a coche, boule or piece of wood placed strategically to stretch our pointing or shooting. Gary, myself, Geoff, Ian and Stuart dug deep and delivered....Short or long....but SOMETIMES on target! Yeah. Our Boule Master (Ross), heaved a sigh of relief. 'Consistency is the key' was his mantra. My consistency was like lumpy custard. Palatable, but could be better...Still, we enjoyed ourselves and felt we were trying hard to improve. GamesBy the time we had our customary friendly games between us all, we were raring to go! We had four lots of Triples. I found myself on the Boule Master's side, which made me wonder whether I would deliver enough to reach Gold Standard! Well........hey, I was dead proud to deliver a couple of 'sidewinders' that curved in nicely, both to the right and to the left and which left the opposition needing to do better. Carol, on the other hand, playing for the opposition, did just that! Her pointing was second to none. Stuart, on her team, delivered impeccably, his naturally smooth swing was set in liquid motion, spinning the boule to settle pretty darn close to that little orange elusive ball...In the end, after three games, The Boule Master's side (Ross') won 2 games and the opposition 1. But they were hard fought games, the first game going right down to the wire, 13-12. Man of the match? Or Woman? Well, in my estimation, all six of us played reasonably well. But if I was to contemplate with any seriousness, the word 'consistency'...well then, Man of the Match would go to our own Darth Vader ((Ian Clithero). His dark boule torpedoed their blistering way to the coche time after time. His accuracy was impressive to say the least. And Carol Bavister pointed extremely well, so she deserves Woman of the Match. Ross? Well he deserves special thanks for trying to imbue in us all, the very best way to play Petanque. He just might have to wait awhile... Until next week
Gill Mason |
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March 2018
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