Bridget, Pete, Debbie and I decided to go to Worthing to do some cycling on the South Downs and enter a triples competition at Worthing Petanque Club. This would give us an opportunity to meet new players and to gain experience.
Worthing Petanque Club is based in West Worthing and was started in 2013. They have over twenty pistes and a variety of playing surfaces, including part of a car park that they use for big events.
The triples competition was open to all clubs and attracted 28 teams including several England players as well as Southern County players. It was played under international rules, which was a first for us. Our team of Debbie, Bridget and me, was placed in a League of four teams and we played three matches in the morning. The weather was reasonable and after losing the first match we rallied and won both our other matches, one against women from the England squad.
The afternoon session started late and was split into Gold, Silver, Bronze and consolages. As we topped our league we were placed in the Silver. The weather took a turn for the worse and afternoon play was a battle against the rain, wind and cold. We held our own but sadly it was not to be.
However it was a great day, with like minded friendly people with many remembering the man in the shorts from Wallingford!!
Pete who was not originally playing, offered to help out with a team from Oxshott who were short of a member due to Covid. They started off by playing the England mens team who eventually went on to win the competition. They qualified for the Bronze category and battled on through the afternoon, eventually finishing around 6:30 pm, thoroughly soaked. Sadly no prizes, but we all feel it was a great experience and day out.
Paul Hammond
Worthing Petanque Club is based in West Worthing and was started in 2013. They have over twenty pistes and a variety of playing surfaces, including part of a car park that they use for big events.
The triples competition was open to all clubs and attracted 28 teams including several England players as well as Southern County players. It was played under international rules, which was a first for us. Our team of Debbie, Bridget and me, was placed in a League of four teams and we played three matches in the morning. The weather was reasonable and after losing the first match we rallied and won both our other matches, one against women from the England squad.
The afternoon session started late and was split into Gold, Silver, Bronze and consolages. As we topped our league we were placed in the Silver. The weather took a turn for the worse and afternoon play was a battle against the rain, wind and cold. We held our own but sadly it was not to be.
However it was a great day, with like minded friendly people with many remembering the man in the shorts from Wallingford!!
Pete who was not originally playing, offered to help out with a team from Oxshott who were short of a member due to Covid. They started off by playing the England mens team who eventually went on to win the competition. They qualified for the Bronze category and battled on through the afternoon, eventually finishing around 6:30 pm, thoroughly soaked. Sadly no prizes, but we all feel it was a great experience and day out.
Paul Hammond
