Friendships were renewed on a windy Saturday morning in Cowes on the Isle of Wight for the National Titles weekend for Men’s and Women’s doubles. It wasn’t the warmest of weekends, but at least the wind kept the rain away. Plessey Pétanque Club were the host venue and were very welcoming and helpful as always.
The men played a three round Swiss system to organise teams into gold, silver and bronze competitions. The gold event was a tough event which saw Kent players Jason White & David Plumhoff in the final – but on opposing sides! Jason, playing with Phil Bradshaw built an early lead but David Plumhoff, playing with Sean Prendergast fashioned chances to get back into the game but just couldn’t take them. Phil and Jason kept a strong focus to emerge winners 13-9. After the morning Swiss system, Dean Ashby & Kai Sheffield finished 5th and Tim Edwins & Glen Woodward 9th.
There were 8 teams in the women’s doubles and the event format was a seven game round robin. It was a long day with a late finish after 7pm. Becky Edwins & Alex Spillett had won 6 out of 6 matches and then lost the last game of the day 8-9 to Lesley Eastlake and Gay Evans, but they’d already done enough to be overall winners on points difference.
In similar weather conditions, the Men’s and Women’s triples took place on the Sunday. The men’s gold event was a hard fought competition with experienced teams falling by the way side. The all Kent trio of Dean Ashby, Kai Sheffield & Jason White lost in the semi final in somewhat of a shock result. In the final, David Plumhoff, Sean Prendergast & Josh Tombleson emerged 13-1 winners v Team Chubb.
After the morning round robin in the Women’s event, teams were only separated by points scored. Alex Spillett, Lori Welden & Sabrina Seville and Carol Woodward, Carolyn Edwins & Becky Edwins both had another two wins after lunch but Team Spillett edged the final showdown 13-5 to take the title.
Bank holiday Monday saw the third day of the National Titles weekend and the respective national singles. It was again very blustery and cold, but dry. The reigning Women’s Singles Champion Becky Edwins once again reached the final and played Gay Evans. It was a tight nip and tuck game but Becky built a lead and then won with a fantastic carreau 13-10 to defend her title.
In the Men’s singles, three out of the four semi finalists were Kent players. Jason White defeated Tim Edwins 13-8 after a good run from Tim to reach the semis. The other semi final saw David Plumhoff beat Dave Kilshaw 13-11 setting up a strong final between 2 very experienced Kent players. Ultimately, Jason’s accurate and consistent shooting led him to win 13-8 and retain his singles title.
In the precision shooting event also held on Monday, 18 players entered. An all Kent final saw Dean Ashby play Jason White. After 3 rounds the pair were only separated by 4 points. In the latter rounds Jason extended his lead and went on to win 32-22 to win the National Shooting Championship.
A wonderful weekend of boules and fantastic performances and achievements by Kent players! There is a gallery of team and action photos below.
With thanks to Richard Ruddick and Pétanque England for the photos.
