22 August 2009
Following the Jersey Petanque Association’s affiliation to the World and European Federations, twenty two members went to Plourivo in Brittany to play a competition against the French club.
Supported by Condor, the party made their way to France on the Friday in order to play an all day competition on the Saturday. Ten teams of doubles competed for each side on the hard, fast terrain at Plourivo. The Jersey players found the competition tough and only 4 games were won by Jersey pairs in the first round. A second round in the morning saw similar results, after which all competitors enjoyed a leisurely barbeque lunch with their hosts.
Perhaps this made the visitors more relaxed, as many Jersey teams won their first games after lunch! In all three games were played in the afternoon and there were some closer results as the day progressed.
At the conclusion, Ken Le Brun, Chairman of the JPA presented a pennant to mark the occasion to the President of the Plourivo club Philippe Riou and thanked him for the warm welcome the Jersey team had received from everyone.
Trophies were presented to the top teams of each side. Three of the home teams won all five of their games; Alain Riou and Joel Gestin, Bertrand Le Goff and Philippe Riou, Yvette Gestin and Anne Marie. For Jersey the top teams were Frank and Robert Morel, Beryl and Ken Vibert, who won 4 of their five games and Elaine and Fred Paisnel were third.
It was certainly a very successful first overseas experience for the JPA members and one which will certainly be repeated. The President of the Plourivo club is also hopeful that his club will visit Jersey next year for a return match.
Lots of photos in the gallery!