The petanquers from the remote outpost of Handcross, having withdrawn from division 1 of the Southern Counties Petanque League last year have re-emerged, and are threatening the cause of the Southsea Rebel Alliance as they attempt to end up top of the new East/West division 3.
A team of Southsea rebels was handpicked to travel across 2 counties and 1.5 car hours to deal with this threat. Little did they know as they travelled, but their cause was assured, I Obut-wan-kenobi meerkat would be there to oversee a Southsea victory.
On arrival at Handcross, I made my presence clear to assure nerves, and told our rebels my oversight meant they could not lose. Southsea was then divided into a pincer attack of two triples. Trevor ‘Yoda’ Treend, Rod ‘Solo’ Smith, and ‘Col-3-PO’ Thirkettle made up the first triple. Dawn ‘Leia-timer’, Andy ‘Sky’ Walker, and Peter ‘Chewbacca’ Missen made up the second.
Things started well. Leia-timer, Sky-Walker, and Chewbacca went 2-0 down, but quickly adapted to the home terrain, and scored 13 points in a row to defeat their opponents to a ‘technical fanny’ and Southsea were 1-0 up. Over on the other half of the terrain there was then a slight set-back, Yoda Treend, Rod Solo, and Col-3-PO didn’t manage a victory, going down 13-6.
1-1 in games and all to play for in the doubles.
A poor start saw the first game quickly lost 13-2 with Leia-timer and Sky-Walker not turning up. Backs against the wall at 2-1 down now, with Southsea needing both remaining doubles games to win. Yoda Treend and Rod Solo fought through a game of attrition to get things back on track, eventually running out 13-10 winners and the scores were levelled. Yoda Treend quickly noticed (Where’s the Meerkat??) I was not present and there was a summons from the Handcross shed. Chewbacca and Col-3-PO were then informed that the overall score was 2-2. It was pointed out their victory was required, but that it would be a certainty as long as they trusted the force.
At 10-9 down Chewbacca Missen closed his eyes and summoned the force (I really am pretty sure). He then lobbed a fast shooting boule from the circle. Result: a carreau for 4, a winning game score of 13-10 and an overall Southsea victory.
Final result, Handcross 2 – Southsea 3. A good win in the opening skirmish of the season after so much travelling, and hopefully the first win of many. Next up, Oxshott at home on 19th April.
With thanks to ‘models’ David, Dawn, Peter, and Jacqui, draft flyers have been sent to the printer for approval, and hopefully these will be approved and printed so we can soon start leafleting Southsea. This will be combined with commencement of new midweek daytime sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The start date for these is yet to be confirmed, but timings will be 1000 on Tuesdays, and 1400 on Thursday.