The annual North v South challenge match is the traditional season opener.  This year, the friendly match fell very early in the calendar on 25 March and was contested by 53 players at Perth Petanque Club.  With the demographic of our clubs somewhat skewed towards the south nowadays, the north/south divide was drawn along the Firth of Forth this time around.  Here’s hoping we can get it to creep north in future – we’re trying!

5 rounds were played and while it was quite cold at times, at others the sun made a welcome return after the long winter.

The result was an emphatic win for the South 31 games to 14.

This weekend, Inverleith PC and MelroseGala PC go head-to-head in Penicuik for Scotland’s place in this summer’s EuroCup for clubs (petanque’s equivalent of the Champions League).  The winning club will travel to either France, Belgium, Monaco or Italy to one of 4 EuroCup Qualifying Rounds, with a place in December’s Final up for grabs for the top 2 placed clubs from each of the 4 qualifiers.  Best of luck to both clubs.