Nutbrook Petanque

On Monday 13th May the Nutbrook triples teams met at Mansfield joining a tournament atmosphere, the heat of the day still lingering despite the promise of rain in the air.

The wise Owls got off to a great start with a nail-biting finish in their first game against Titchfield Harriers – 8 across and all to play for as the bell had been rung. Skillfull play put a boule against the coche that the opposing team were unable to move, giving the Owls their first win of the evening. A different piste in the second game against Pentangoed, was more difficult to conquer, and left the Owls with 13 points to 3. Overall 1 win and 1 loss, so not a bad result and still mid-table.

Nutbrook Lightening found the piste difficult to master in their first game, boules flying in every direction, but managed to hold the game against Game of Throws to 12 points to 8 points. Their second game was played on deeper gravel and suited them better. As the bell rang they were on 9 across and their first boule in the final end landed close to the coche confounding the Eagles who had to concede defeat, leaving Lightening with 1 win and 1 loss. This result took them clear of the bottom of the table showing the only way was up.

Nutbrook Thunder had a new member who still had to find his feet in the first game against Mission Impossiboule with 4 points to 13, but more than made up for it in the second with a good win against Megs + Merry Men with 9 points to 6. Their final result echoed that of the Owls and Lightening with 1 for and 1 against but left them a little above the Owls in the middle of the table

Andy, Chris, Val, Graham, Nick and Bob have successfully treated the sleepers by the pistes with Andy, Chris, Dave, Graham and Nick fitting anti-slip strips to the outer edges. As you an see, they’ve made a great job and added extra safety to the grounds.

Many thanks to our volunteers, for this and all other necessary maintenance they continue to work at.

Storm fired a wonderful victory on 9th May against Ravenshead Rookies with a great 3 wins to 1 and 41 points against 31. This keeps them well and truly in the top four on the Leader Board and just 1 point behind the second team, White Horse 5.

The Fledglings had an amazing result on 9th May against White Horse 3, taking full advantage of the home match with a 2 all draw but ahead on points with 45 points to 42. This great result puts the Fledglings just 2 points away from the middle of the Leader Board, leaving them with all to play for. Well done.

The Buzzards took a well earned rest, girding their loins for the match next week against Titchfield Bandits.

The sun sank slowly behind the trees taking with it the heat of the day. Fortunately the warmth of the welcome at Rainworth offset the lack of a fourth layer of clothing.

The Chesterfield team, the Holmebrook Harriers, were on top form on Thursday 2nd May,but had to fight hard for every point finishing with just three points between themselves and Storm. The final score of 3 wins to the Harriers and 1 to Storm, with 42 points to 39 doesn’t do justice to the close contest and still leaves Storm in the top four on the Leader Board. Well done all.

The Buzzards had a difficult match against the Kestrels second team, on Thursday 2nd May, watching every good boule fly from the coche with a well aimed fire. The final score of 3 wins to Kestrel 2 and 1 to the Buzzards with 43 points against 32 didn’t take the Buzzards from their spot of third on the Leader Board.

The Fledglings played top of the Leader Board, Beacon Flames on Thursday 2nd May, stuggling against players whose confidence is high. With a 4 – 0 score and 52 points to 17 the Fledglings came away feeling that they would remember that every team is there to be beaten and next time they would win.

The first Monday triples game was at Ravenshead on the 29th of April 2024. Nutbrook entered three teams, Nutbrook Thunder, Nutbrook Lightning, and Nutbrook Owls.

The teams played well with two good wins, putting Nutbrook Thunder and Nutbrook Owls towards the top of the table. Nutbrook Lightning will, I’m sure soon climb up the table. All in all this has been a good start to the year.

The next match will be at Mansfield on the 13th of May