Some old stuff that you may have missed. |
2008/2009 Winter League Remarks
Nomads 3(63) 4½ Stars 3(61) On what might be considered the most 'interesting' piste in the league, which incorporates a lane that drops at an alarming 45 degrees (seemingly), a weakened Stars team heroically raced to a 3 to 1 lead at the two thirds stage of the match. Then, the bar opened......!!! Eric and Stella's Tilly Tigers took swift advantage and snatched a much deserved draw. BUGGER ........!!!!!
Sundowners 2(51) 4½ Stars 4(72) Pool 1 leaders, Sundowners, came a right-old-cropper against an inspired Stars team at Letton on Sunday. Not an easy
win by any stretch of the imagination but a dogged, tight and disiplined perfomance by the Clehongerites which propelled them to an unlikely victory. The Man-on-the-Match award goes to: Tom, Blair, Andy, Blair, Graham, Blair and Blair.
Unfortunately, we are not sure where we stand in the table as little or no results and tables have been received lately.4½ Stars 5(75) Strand & Deliver 1(49) Another stunning victory and this time against table-topping Strand. Five - one and 75 to 49 points may appear to have been a comprehensive win, but two of the matches ended as 13 - 12 in the Stars favour, thus a draw was not far off from an out-of-luck Strand team. Its a certainty that at present we lie 2nd in the table and might even be first - depending on other results. Mind you.... we haven't had any actual results since before Christmas so we may never ever......... Oh dear! let's not go there....!
The shimmering stars have now gone five matches without defeat and this fact so moved the captain that he actually bought a round of drinks for the team. (on the proviso of course that each and everybody had to buy him one back).4½ Stars 6(78) Leisure Cruisers 0(32) A superb display by the twinkling stars saw off a those stalwarts of the Leisure Centre - the amiable Cruisers team. A victory unsurpassed in the anals(?) of Seven Stars history. But hark! Have the Stars peaked? Reached the summit? Is it all downhill from now on? Well ......... We don't know...... and we really don't care either! Just enjoying ourselves!
Tram Trailers 2(55) 4½ Stars 4(73) In an effort to halt our onward march, Trailers included the Trams best player - Sam!
His presence had an immediate effect and Trailers sprang into a 2 nil lead.
But the Stars team are nothing (its been said) if not fighters and plan B was put into action. This was to be attrition at its stodgiest - No quarter asked and none given. (whatever that means?) The Stars good-looking captain saw off his opposite number in the singles and the triples team toughed it out to gain another improbable result. Score 2 - 2.Into the last round with Graham up against the mighty Sam. Our man sprang into an 8 - nil lead only to be overhauled by the Trams favourite. But our Graham, resolve strengthened by eight pints of Strongbow, played an exquisite carreaux that I personally only dream of playing, and secured the game by the slightest margin. Score 2 - 3.Meanwhile, our triples were having a torrid time at the hands of young Tim and with Molly on song, Trailers leapt into a goodly lead. But then, a change of tactics and with our Tom coming into his own, brought the Stars back into contention. The game see-sawed into the later stages and was settled by a superb ball from Tom which against all the odds gave us the 2 points needed for victory.This was a very long match - some 3½ hours - but it showed that even after drinking eighteen pints (each) and not knowing which day of the week it was, our lads stuck to the task and came through one of the most hard-fought and gruelling matches we have ever played.
A word about young Tim of the Trailers. He's a lovely lad with a hugely pleasant disposition and good instincts which seems, these days, unusual in one so young. Tim is also a talented boules player and his attitude and enjoyment of the sport will undoubtably help to further his skills. My only hope is, that he is not 'over-coached' and that he should be left to enjoy and improve his skills in his own time and at his own pace.Stars 5(77) Nomads 1(41)On a bright and warm spring day in sunny Clehonger, our lovely lads came out tops against an under-strength, though determined Nomads team. Eric and Stella's Tilly Tigers fought a grand rear-guard action but alas, to no avail. As the stars were cruising to a smooth victory, it was left to Stella to save some face and indeed she did. In her singles match against Tom, she found herself 6 points down and staring into the abyss. Then our Tom decided to have a kip! Stella took quick advantage and before Tom could shake the sleep from his eyes, found himself lost...?? Its that tortoise and hare business again. Nevertheless and all that apart, we can look back on a successful campaign which, after a somewhat poor start, resulted in the winning of Pool 1. We now look forward to the semi-finals - could be agin Mortimers Cross or the Signets from the Swan....(Cygnets surely...???)
Correction.
In the previous report, it was suggested that Sam of the Tram Trailers had made a one and only Winter League appearance and that against the Stars. This in fact was incorrect. Sam has turned out for the Trailers in earlier matches in the Winter League. Apologies.Stars 6 - Signets 0 Those stalwarts of Clehonger exploded into the Final of the Winter League with a crushing win over the young guns of Letton. Those early morning 10 mile cross-country runs coupled with cold baths and strict abstinence from booze, fags and mucky women (I should be so lucky) finally paid off and our brave lads secured, with some ease it must be said, a place in the Winter League Final!
We now meet that talented and wily Strand team in the Grand Final which is to be held at the Swan Inn, Letton on Sunday 5th April commencing 11am.
Strand Won - 4½ Stars Lost On a bright sunny morn, a buoyant and confident Stars team travelled to Letton in the hope of giving our Strand friends a severe thraping and to retain the trophy which the Stars won last year. Oh dear!!! Not a bit of it! A determined Strand team steamed out of the blocks at full pelt and steamrolled into a 2 - nil lead. Tom and Jim managed narrowly to avoid a whitewash and Graham and Andy, although leading at one stage, eventually succumbed to some excellent boules by their oppo's. Things went from worse to badder when the singles and triples matches were, for the Stars, non-events! The Strand team played with deadly accuracy and a fervour not seen on a piste for many a year and secured an utterly comprehensive win which they truly deserved. On returning to the Seven Stars Inn for a post-match inquest, Andy disappeared for quick fag and in his absence, it was decided that he was solely to blame for our poor showing. On his return, Andy blamed the captain, the captain blamed Graham, Graham blamed....etc. In the end it was decided that we really didn't give a toss as we had enjoyed a thoroughly enjoyable winter campaign with lots of bon-hommie, lots of laughs and of course, lots of booze.Seven Stars In-House Event
The competition kicked off with a draw for partners. It was agreed that experienced players would pair with an inexperienced player and that four games would be played with a final involving the top two teams.
Eight teams, scheduled to play four rounds took to the piste armed with boule, cochenets and a burning desire to win. Here's how they got on......
Nigel and Chris won their first match, but then it was all downhill from then on. Nigel, though, showed some talent and played several decent balls. Chris started badly - got worse - and then got drunk!
Mo and Danny narrowly lost their first 2 games but after several pints of best bitter, Mo got her act together and with a little help from non-drinking Danny, managed to win their remaining 2 games.
Emma and Shirley added a touch of glamour to the proceedings and indeed, started off like a train winning their first 2 games in some comfort. Later, Danny put Shirley in her place (believe that you'll believe anything) by thumping her and Emma 13 to 1.
Jack and Sid..... What can be said. This was supposed to be the dream team but alas they only played in a dream. Winning only one of their four games they at least triumphed by making up the numbers.
Kara and Andy. Won 2 games, lost 2 games, drunk 18 pints....each! Kara played with some skill and Élan, Andy played with something else. Kara hopes next year that she'll get a decent partner.
Ron and David. Another potentially decent partnership although all quite new to young David. Winning 2 games and losing the other 2 by small margins they were just a little unfortunate.
Kath and Blair, The surprise package of the tournament winning 3 out of 4 they reached the final - and it has to be said with some skill and aplomb. Kath playing only the second time in her life was more than supportive to Blair who himself bestrode the piste like a colossal....
John and Tom. THE WINNERS!!! They began the day losing 13-3 to Shirley and Emma and looking decidedly early bath favorites. Bi-cycling John (He's a champion Tour-de-France cyclist in real life) has never played the game before and Tom, who also looked as though he'd never played before, swiftly girded their loins and tore through the rest of the card ruthlessly - leaving dead and maimed bodies in their wake.
Superb weather, superb bar-b-que, superb organization by the superb Club Captain made this a truly superb event which will live for evermore in the memories of all those who took part.
The winners were awarded a small tin of biscuits each and the runners-up an even smaller bar of chocolate. Yes... The Seven Stars Petanque Club are famed for their abundant generosity to all successful petankers.Smashin' Day enjoyed by (mostly) Smashin' People.
They came from the Jungles of Worcester, the Mountains of Wales, the Deserts of Upton-on-Seven, the Fleshpots of Tillington, the Opium Dens of Staunton, the Bordello's of Peterchurch, the Ganglands of Holmer (The Leisure Centre), the Hell they call Clehonger....etc. Yes, all from near and far to play in a boules match for charity.
Eighteen teams turned out for a days fun and boule, and after the morning session, four teams finished with a hundred percent. They were Steve & Jill from Wales, Andy & Graham and Danny & Shirley of the Stars, Dave & Elaine. In the afternoon session, The teams were placed into the cup and plate divisions.
After a further chapter of intense and competitive boule, played, I'm happy to report, in a generally goodly spirit, the teams that emerged to play in the final of the cup were Steve & Jill and Andy & Graham. In the Plate, Dave & Karen from Wenvoe took on perennial favourites Eric and Stella of the Bell at Tillington.
Alas, the Tilly Tigers fought well but then succumbed to Welsh wizardry. In the final of the cup, Steve & Jill started well but were eventually overhauled by previous winners Andy and Graham. This was a close fought game with score finishing 13 - 12. After a raffle that saw more prizes and presents won than that you would find in Santa's Grotto, Dilys representing the sponsored charity - Madley Environmental and Study Centre - gave a 'short' speech and then presented awards to the winners. Afterwards, a cheque for £300.00 was presented to Dilys which was made up from £144 entrance fees, £96 from the raffle and £60 pounds from Club funds.
As always our Charity Pairs was a hugely enjoyable affair in the main but it was felt that this years event was slight marred by a single persons attitude and somewhat unsavoury language. We of the Seven Stars apologise for this and assure you that this will not be repeated.