The petanquers from the remote outpost of Handcross, having withdrawn from division 1 of the Southern Counties Petanque League last year have re-emerged, and are threatening the cause of the Southsea Rebel Alliance as they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.