JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL May 7 2008
The first ever competition between Junior Petanque players from Jersey and France took place at the premises of the Jersey Petanque Club at Les Quennevais in glorious sunshine.
See photos in gallery.....
JPA Development Officer, Tony Allchurch and Christian Le Sauvage from Coutances in Normandy had each been coaching young players in preparation for the International match. The Jersey team were all pupils of Les Quennevais School and although having had only a few weeks of training performed very well and showed great team spirit.
Twenty players made up each team. The visitors were taken on a tour of the Island in the morning. Minibusdirect had generously given the use of transport for the team and JPA member Brian Malzard was their chauffeur for the day. After a buffet lunch at the clubhouse, the visitors were joined by their challengers.
The Honorary French Consul, Robin Pallot welcomed all to the event and the competition then got under way. Teams of both doubles and triples competed in four rounds.
After the first round Jersey was in the lead 5-3, but then France caught up with the same score. Round three was drawn 4-4 leaving all to play for in the final round. This was taken – again by the closest margin of 5-3! Thus the visiting team were the victors by 17 games to 15.
The Amity Trophy was presented to the winning team captain Loic Grandin by Joan Le Mercier, President of the Jersey Petanque Club. Medals were also awarded to the best triples and doubles in each team. These were:
Jersey Triple: Sophie McGranahan, Jodie Powell and Alex Kelly.
Jersey Double: Deryk Tolman and Toby Webb.
French Triple: Jean-Baptiste Ange, William Letousey and Jeremy Couillet.
French Double: Matthieu Collette and Loic Grandin.
All competitors enjoyed a barbeque where many new friendships were formed and addresses exchanged, their different languages not appearing to be a barrier. The French team have extended an invitation to the Les Quennevais school players to go to France in 2009 for a return match.
The Jersey Team players were:Emily Stead, Claire-Louise Vautier, Alex Daghorn, Sophie McGranahan, Jodie Powell, Alex Kelly, Lauren Midgeley, Tabby English, Naomi Journeaux, Chloe Cheald, Chloe Rayson, Cara Malorey-Vibert, Lewis Quenault, Tom Beadle, Alex Newton, Jonny Rice, Deryk Tolman, Toby Webb, Stephan Spittal, Tom Ellis, Bryce Harris, Robbie Rive and Sam Graviou.
The French Team players were:Jean-Baptiste Ange, William Letousey, Jeremy Couillet, Juliette Boudot, Laurie Moulin, Elise Raulline, Julien Unvoy, Simon Lebreuilly, Pierrick Salaun, Margot Fautrat, Lucie Jacquette, Clarisse Lecouillard, Chloe Fauvel, Charlotte Lecouillard, Adelaide Legluais, Chloe Anne, Paul Resbeut, Louis Foucher, Matthieu Collette and Loic Grandin.