Friday 22 Jul 2022 at 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
SCL – Handcross triumphant in nail biting southern counties match
The seventh match in this year's league saw Handcross making the trip to Cobbetts to play the ‘Bees’ team. After the 4-1 victory in the home tie Handcross were looking to match or even better that result. The Handcross team consisted of captain Justin Ellis, Nigel Sibbring, Bill Mackrell, Sean Wiggill, Peter Kidd and Liam Kidd. Travelling to Cobbetts you expect to be playing on one of the fastest terrains in the region, however two of the three piste selected to be used were those with thick gravel upon similar to that of Handcross perhaps giving some advantage to the team.
The triples matches were to be played first and the team was split into the following teams: Liam, Bill and Justin would be the first team listed followed by Nigel, Peter and Sean. The first team were playing against the Cobbetts captain Bernie Miles with relatively new players Ness Raynbird and Paul Bone. The Handcross team got of to a good start, Justin was pointing in well although having some difficulties on deciding the right way to play each shot either squatting or standing lob. Bill was effectively playing in the middle with some both effective points and helping to shoot if Liam had missed or used all his boules.
The team ended up fairly comfortably winning the match 13-5 and getting the first point on the board. Meanwhile the second Handcross team were taking on the much more experienced Cobbetts team of Ali Stubbs, Jay Willcocks and Sue Sandy. The Handcross team got off to a flying start taking a 8 point lead. However, a costly end meant the Handcross team gave away 6 points and the match was nip and tuck from there on in. Jay and Peter were both trying to out do each other with the shooting and the match ultimately turned into who could point the most boules. Eventually Handcross managed to come out on the right side of the score line to win the match 13-12.
With a 2-0 lead it was time for the three doubles matches with the team knowing they only needed one further win to secure the victory. The teams were split very evenly across the board for Handcross to have the best chance of winning as many matches as possible. Sean and Justin were selected to play Paul and Sue on the one fast terrain Cobbetts had selected to be used. With pointing proving to be tricky on the smooth terrain Justin took an attacking game to Cobbetts shooting most boule they would point within a foot. It proved to be a good tactic and the Handcross team won the match 13-7.
With three matches won the overall match was won and the pressure was taken off the remaining matches. The last two matches however were both a very close affair. Bill and Liam were having an extremely close match with Bernie and Ness whilst it was a similar affair between Nigel and Peter playing Ali and Jay. Both matches went all the way to 12-12 and amazingly the Handcross teams managed to come out on top in both.
An emphatic 5-0 victory helps Handcross to go ten points clear in second place on the league table. An enjoyable competitive evening of Petanque was had by all and on another day it could have been a different score line. Following the match, a social drink and some nibbles was had between the two teams and Handcross were wished a safe journey home. A slight damper was put on the evening when the players were held up for over an hour on a stationary M27 whilst an accident was being cleared. The next scheduled match for Handcross is an away match against Fareham who thus far are the only team to beat the team in the league.
(Liam)