Festive Boules a Plenty
A touch of Christmas boules wrapped up the first stanza of the Adelaide Petanque Club's super summer series last Wednesday night.
A festive atmosphere was evident, with most teams in a joyful mood as the sixth and final round of the pre-Christmas competition was played under the glow of a full moon, which provided a touch of extra illumination over the Stirling pistes.
As an added bonus, members also enjoyed the delights of the traditional gourmet barbecue, cooked by Quentin Jones, who has already threatened to grill a few opponents when he makes a return to the playing ranks in the New Year.
Amid the social inter-action, there was still the hint of competitiveness, with all but one of the 19 teams present recording a win over the evening.
Five trios emerged with a clean sheet of three wins, with the night's victors being decided on points.
The Hopefuls combination of John Weatherley, Ralph Foster and Remko Leijs grabbed the wine prize with a total of 31 points, with the much improved Soixante Neuf combination of Bruce Welsh, Andrew Nicholls and Geoff Brown, having their best outing for the season, in snaring 19 points to take second, ahead of the consistent Skid Kids, on 18.
Coming into the final round in an unassailable position, The Gropers side of Tim Hanckel, Martin O'Leary and Anthony Pietsch were again a formidable opponent, finishing in fifth spot with 14, cementing their overall victory.
It marked a second successive series win for the trio, who were dominant over the six-week competition, dropping just one contest over the duration, and finishing with an aggregate of 88 points, 29 ahead of nearest rival, The Other Three.
The Hopefuls' late season form gained the side third placing on the overall ladder.
The second six-week season of the 2005-06 super series will commence on Wednesday, January 11.
