A Charity Pairs competition was hosted by the Birds and Bees Petanque Club at the Birds and Bees in Causewayhead, Stirling on 12 September.

By 9:45 on a surprisingly sunny and warm early autumn Sunday morning 20 keen players assembled in the Birds and Bees car park. Why the car park? Well, the gate to the courtyard was locked and when manageress Jemma arrived at 10:15 she announced that no one had come “to knock her up” – what sort of thing is that to say on a Sunday morning!

20 players, 10 teams, 4 pistes – how was Bob going to fiddle that? – easy peasy – two leagues of 3 and one of 4 and the morning’s play commenced.

The teams were – Pres. Byron & Sandra M, Zandra & Bob B, Jimmy & Margaret W, Carol B & Judy C, Paul & Pierre B, John & Norma C and Judy’s grandsons Thibault & Matthew (pronounced Tibo) from the Birds and Bees and Jean & Henry H, Alice S & Stuart M and Eileen M & Douglas H from Perth.

After an excellent lunch of soup and sandwiches the top 4 teams from the morning leagues played for the honour of being ‘top team’ of the day.

The remaining 6 teams fought it out for the non existent plate via Bob playing his ’fiddle’ again!

The above resulted in Paul & Pierre coming from behind to beat Jean & Henry 13-10 to be ’Top Dogs’. Oh no, the Perons are back! Jimmy & Margaret were third.

Eileen & Douglas, surviving some excellent pointing from young Thibault and accurate shooting from Matthew – keep playing guys the SPA needs you, hung on to win the ‘Plate’ 13-11.

Another sociable open competition, only one ‘fanny’- no names no pack drill! was as usual with B & B competitions run immaculately by Bob and enjoyed by all.

Douglas.