The SPA Singles and Shooting on Saturday 21st and the SPA Doubles on Sunday 22nd of August were held at Perth Petanque’s Piste on the North Inch in Perth.
Saturday’s weather forecast wasn‘t promising, however the early morning scotch mist didn’t turn to rain and the sun put his hat on and came out to play!
Players from The Birds and Bees, Fochabers, Inverleith, Inverness, Perth and Troon numbering twenty five turned up on parade.
Twenty five, an awkward number, were formed into eight leagues – seven of three players and one of four players and battle commenced.
Sixteen players qualified and were divided into two modified Swiss leagues, the winner of each league to play off for the honour of lifting the Trophy.
After some close games Paul B of the Bees met John W of Fochabers in the playoff to decide who was to be Singles Champion 2010.
Paul took the early initiative and built up a commanding lead but uncharacteristically gave away six points in two ends and John didn’t look back and emerged the winner!
John, normally a man of few words, was ecstatic, announcing –
“It’s taken me twenty six years and six finals to win the Scottish Singles!”
Robbie S, Fochabers, prevailed over Mari S Inverleith, in the third/fourth playoff
SPA Singles Trophy –
Winner – John Wilson.
Runner Up – Paul Bretenoux.
Third – Robbie Stronach.
Fourth – Mari Snell
The other players were –
Derek A, Paddy H, Stephane M, Mags & Colin M, and Fiona & Howard T, – Inverleith,
Christine & John M, Pat & Gordon S and Christine, Calum & Stewart T – Inverness,
Douglas H, Jean & Henry H and Frazer S – Perth.
Malcolm McK, Istvan P and Brian W – Troon.
The Shooting Competition, set up by Brian, Istvan and Malcolm, was run at the same time as the Singles. Most of the players entered in the Singles tried their hand at the Shooting Competition. With three team leagues in the Singles those sitting out took their turn at competing and scoring. Eight ‘tireurs’ qualified for the knockout stage ending up with Derek A meeting and defeating Colin M in a low scoring final.
SPA Shooting Trophy –
Winner – Derek Adam.
Runner Up – Colin Montgomery.
Semi-finalists – Robbie Stronach and Istvan Poka.
Sunday loomed sunny, bright and breezy!
Thirteen teams, made up of most of Saturdays worthies, from The Birds and Bees, Fochabers, Inverleith, Inverness, Perth and Troon turned up to compete for the SPA Doubles Trophy.
Note the odd number again! So three leagues of three and one of four for the morning session with eight teams qualifying for the Trophy and a modified Swiss in the afternoon
leaving five (odd!) teams for the Plate, so a five team league, games played to nine points.
The Bad Boys – Dave P & Bob B were on fire, powering their way to a showdown with an equally upbeat pair The Acorns – Istvan P & Brian W to decide the2010 Doubles Champions.
The Acorns retained the coche and ground their way to 10,11,and 12-4 but then The Bad Boys won an end and changed the direction of play to across the piste and at 10-12 Dave dragged the coche to his first two boules and a 13-12 victory!
SPA Doubles Trophy –
Winners – The Bad Boys – Dave Patterson & Bob Boyle – Birds and Bees.
Runners Up – The Acorns – Istvan Poka & Brian Ward – Troon.
Third – Pisteols – Robbie Stronach & John Wilson – Fochabers.
SPA Doubles Plate –
Winners – The Champignons – Mags & Colin Montgomery – Imverleith.
Runners Up – The Campers – Jean & Henry Hutcheson – Perth.
The other teams were –
Almost Vacant – Chris S & Richard C – Fochabers,
Frado – Frazer S & Douglas H and Just Us – Eileen M & John S – Perth,
Gie Us the Viskey – Mari S & Bill McM and I P A – Derek A & Colin S – Inverleith,
Nord Ecosse1 – Gordon S & John M and Nord Ecosse2 – Pat S & Christine M – Inverness,
The Umps – Byron M – Birds and Bees & Stefan M – Inverleith.
Thanks to Derek A for organising play, to Perth members for hospitality and with fair weather and a good turn out an excellent weekend was enjoyed by all!