OVER 30 teams competed at the Moffat Petanque Club’s recent open competition.
During the Coronation weekend the club welcomed competitors from all over the UK, and beyond, for the three-day contest. Between 80 to 100 people attended the event, making it the club’s biggest competition to date.
The competition at Hope Johnstone Park kicked off with a melee, where contestants were randomly placed in teams of three to play three rounds of pétanque, competing for the top prizes donated by Dark Sky Spirits.
Moffat Petanque Club’s president John Jardine described a festival atmosphere and was delighted with the turnout. He said: “The melee gives everyone an opportunity to size up the opposition for the following days’ competitions because most of the people arriving have never played against each other before.”
The Saturday saw 31 teams of triples competing for the second Moffat Open Triples trophy, won by a team from Ayr, Fireboules captained by Istvan Polka, in blazing sunshine, and hotly contested by a triple from Perth.
Istvan returned on Sunday with his doubles partner, Real Steel, battling against 40 teams to snatch first place once again from a Fochabers team.
Moffat Open organising committee members were blown away by the response to the event, from players as well as local establishments, as John continued: “We couldn’t put this event on without the support of the town. There was nearly 100 people to accommodate, feed and entertain. We are exhausted, but we are already reviewing what went well with this year’s Open and starting planning for the next. I think it will be bigger and better next year, I hope it will.
“We’re proud to have achieved so much for a wee club.”
