Hills Players take a shot at Titles
Adelaide Hills Petanque Club players have claimed victories at recent State and national championships. The SA Petanque championships were held on April 8-9 at the Eastern Suburbs pistes, with Hills club member Jenny Key emerging as part of the successful women’s triples combination. The Crafers resident teamed with Adelaide club duo Tina Stockley and Rada Pierre to turn in decisive performances throughout the weekend and take the SA title.
The Open men’s competition was a hard-fought affair, with an all-Hills team of Peter Sharpe, Greg Anderson and Brenton Key ducking and weaving into the semifinals by just one point.
The trio advanced to the grand final and engaged in a gritty contest, left with a creditable second placing after a 7-13 defeat.
A second Hills side — Ralph Foster, Anthony Pietsch and John Weatherley — also did the Stirling-based club proud by winning the consolation event. The State titles proved a good prelude to the national triples championships, held on the Easter weekend at the picturesque Hanging Rock reserve in Victoria. While the backdrop provided a magnificent scene, 53 men’s, 35 women’s and 14 veterans teams faced difficult conditions at times, enduring persistent rain and Artic-like wind. SA players turned in solid efforts amid national company, with J. Key and her State-title winning partners claiming a gold medal in the women’s D division.
Adelaide player Dominic Pierre took the Australian shooting title in an impressive display, while SA veterans Valmai and Mike Nicole and Dave Ward took top honors in their competition.
Several other medals were claimed by SA contenders in a strong display of the sport’s strength within the state.
The Adelaide Hills club hosted one of the most prestigious events of the local calendar when it staged the annual Rowley Cup this Sunday. The competition perpetuates the memory of a highly esteemed playing member, the late Professor Derrick Rowley, who died a couple of years ago.
