The final competition of the 2010 season was the Inverleith Cash Pairs hosted by Inverleith Petanque Club at Inverleith Park in Edinburgh on 3rd October.

October – the month of mists and mellow fruitfulness, or is that November? Whatever, it was mist and raining cats and dogs as players assembled for bacon butties and coffee in the clubhouse. And you have guessed it – an odd number of teams yet again! – 13 on this occasion. So three leagues of 3 and one of 4 for the morning’s play, the top 8 for the Main and the ‘big prizes’ and the remaining 5 for the Plate, with a small consideration for the winners, in the afternoon.

The 13 teams were – Mags & Montie, Alan & John P, Emma & Derek, Christine & Art,

Colin S & Benny, John W & Chantal, Stephane & Istvan (Troon) and Mari & Douglas (Perth) from Inverleith, Shirley & Lynn and Robbie & John from Fochabers and Jean & Henry, Eileen & Alice and Mabel & Finlay from Perth.

Fortunately the weather improved, and continued to be fine all day, by the time play started and with no ‘leagues of death’ most of the usual suspects qualified for the Main. After two rounds of the MRK (Modified Rolling Knockout – you were told about it in the last report) The Foreigners (Stephane & Istvan) overcame Pocket Jacks (Colin & Benny) and fannied The Old Farts (sorry Alan & John P!) to meet Fasch (Robbie & John), winners against Just Us (Alice & Eileen) and Meikleour (Shirley & Lynn) for the big prize of £130:00!

Both teams were firing on all cylinders however The Foreigners edged ahead an held on despite Fasch’s efforts to catch up. At 11-9 with John’s last boule of the end holding shot Istvan tiered and stayed for 2 and a 13-9 victory.

Emma & Derek came out top of the 5 team league to win the Plate.

Inverleith Cash Pairs –

1^st The Foreigners – Stephane & Istvan £130:00

2^nd Fasch – Robbie & John £60:00

3^rd Champignons – Mags & Montie £30:00

Cash Pairs Plate –

1^st Emma & Derek £15:00

Thanks to Inverleith PC for their generous prizes and hospitality, top class as usual, and to Colin S for running a smooth competition.

“That’s all folks!” – for 2010.

Douglas.