The pétanque league singles event was played at the Varne Boat Club, Greatstone, for the second year running. Some 40 players turned up for the competition on a breezy but pleasant evening and some great games were played before we were down to the last four.
In the first semi-final the defending 2017 champion Rob Thomas, who plays for the Cock Inn, Peasmarsh, couldn’t come up with the goods against John Simpson from the Crown Inn, Tenterden, who played some outstanding pétanque.
The second semi-final saw Brendon Doughty, playing for the Bell Inn, Iden, with all the luck going his way and he defeated Tom Thumb of Pub 31, Winchelsea Beach.
The final between Doughty and Simpson saw both players throwing some great boules and either could have been a worthy winner in a great-to-watch final. But it was Doughty who triumphed to become the 2018 pétanque champion. The pétanque players have a pairs competition at the Pipemakers Arms, Rye, on July 10 to look forward to and which will be another competitive and sociable evening.
Photo: Dennis Leeds-George