Monmouth Pétanque Club

The season’s first friendly was held on Sunday May 22nd against Abergavenny.  Monmouth managed to share the pairs matches but lost the triples four nil. It was an enjoyable day marred only by a few heavy showers but balanced by the high class catering for which Monmouth Petanque Club is known.

The rain did not stop the three of us playing a game this morning. Managed to avoid the puddles but not the weather.  A good game all the same won by Paul.

Lets hope it is better on Saturday

Following the AGM the new committee is: Paul Chairman,  Bill Vice Chairman, Guy Secretary, Richard treasurer, Jo Club Captain.  Membership is now due and you should have received notice from Richard. If not please contact one of the committee.

The club will be holding a coffee morning in Monmouth Priory on Saturday 23rd May 10.00 am to 12.00. As well as refreshments there will be a tombola and books, handicrafts, bric-a-brac and cake stalls. Club members will be on hand to discuss aspects of the game of pétanque. Do come along.

After a poor start to the campaign in the second division of the BIG league, Monmouth returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over PILCs last Tuesday and followed that up with a 4-0 home victory against Ponthir House Monday. Apart from the defeat at Clytha on the opening day of the season many of the games have been very close. The difference in points in the home game against Rising Sun Locos was only 5 although we lost 3-1.
One thing to emerge from these early games is the importance to make sure that you do not leave the end in a position where it is possible for your opponents to score heavily with just one well placed boule or a good shot. When you only have two boules left look at the end and think how you can leave your boule in a position that makes it difficult for them to be removed, try to restrict you opponent’s ability to score more than one or two points.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to throw all your boules. Take one point rather that give several away with a miss thrown boule. Indeed, in the last game against PILCs our opponents managed to convert a position where they were holding three points into one for us. That 4 point shift was possibly what gave the last game to us and our first victory.
From what I have seen all the pairs have played well this year and with a little confidence I don’t think it will be long before we start to move up the table. The victory last night should already have ensured that we are no longer bottom.

The draw has now been made for the BIG league and Monmouth’s first game is on Monday 14th April away to Clytha A. A full fixture list and team selection will be sent out to all who have expressed an interest in playing shortly. Anyone who has not let Peter know of their interest in playing please contact him or speak to Paul. The fixtures will be on the board Saturday.

You can acces the club fixture list here.

There is a pre-season BIG league melee arranged for Sunday 6 April at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Llanhennock nr Caerleon NP18 1LT. Tel number is 01633 420468. There will be a barbecue and prizes on the day. Registration is at  1030 for a 11am start.  Please let Linda – Wheatsheaf Club Secretary –  know if you are attending ( jilicrinic@talktalk.net).  Her telephone number will be on the board if you wish to phone.

We have entered the Cup and have been drawn in the first round and await the winners of the prelim contest between Caerleon Blues/PILC.

The club is holding an open day on Saturday 12th April from 10.30 am to 4pm. If you are interested in playing the game, just want to find out about it, already play but are not a member of any club, are visiting from another club and fancy a game, play but want some advice on how to improve or are just curious about the game why not come along during the day.

The game can be played by all ages and of every ablity.

We will have hot and cold drinks and biscuits freely available during the day. If you wish to bring your own food  that is fine, there are several picnic tables on site.

We aim to make the day child and family friendly and have equipment for children to use and are reserving an area for family use. Young children should be under the supervision of a parent whilst on the playing area. There is also a play area in the park close to the community centre.

We will have basic information about the game for you to take away and there will be people to show how the game is played.  We will also be organising a couple of competitions so you can see how good at the game you can be.

2013 saw further development of the club with good results in several competitions. Play throughout the season mixed the more serious with the social providing events to suite all members.
The year started and finished with the club entering the qualification rounds for the European Cup for Clubs. The qualification for 2013 took place at a very cold Monkstone ground early in the year with the club beating Careleon in a close last game to finish 5th. The qualification for 2014 was changed to a straight knockout home and away and this time the club lost six games to four to Careleon.
There were friendlies organised against Abergavenny and Monkstone with the club loosing heavily in Abergavenny 9-3 and drawing 7-7 at home. The away game at Monkstone saw a 6-4 loss. Good results against much more experienced teams. Due to scheduling problems the games against Ross were unable to go ahead. It is hoped to reinstate these for 2014.
Four teams from the club entered the over 55 championship at Monkstone. The surface of their terrain again proving difficult for Monmouth’s Members, with the teams finishing in the bottom half of the competition.
The real success was in the BIG league with the club entering for the first time. Monmouth PC won the 3rd division title with only one loss all year. A large number of members played at some time during the year for the team. The club came 4th in the “Champion of Champions” event finishing one place above our division 3 status.
Once again the club championship played in September proved very popular. The singles competition was won by Barbara Clarke who defeated Paul Macer- Wright in the final and the doubles was won by Paul Macer-Wright and Chris Marshall who defeated Len & Bill in the final. I think Peter is still occasionally reminded of Barbara’s success in the singles.

Finally thanks must go to all who provided the catering for the various matches and especial Jo for the tea, coffee and cakes on a Saturday afternoon. Don’t forget; Tea and Red both have three letters.

Following the AGM changes to the club committee comprises of the following members. Chris remains Chairman and Bill is now Vice Chairman.  Richard takes over as treasurer from Jane and Paul is now Secretary. Peter remains Club Captain.