Braintree & District
The Braintree & District Petanque League caters for clubs in the North East of the region. There are 2 leagues, Summer commencing during April played on Wednesday evenings and Winter commencing in October played on Sundays.
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BDPL 18/2/08
Of the four teams battling it out for the runners up spot in the Braintree & District Petanque
League, only Colne Angel managed a win. This was a good away win over third placed Rayne Swan 1 which
started well with a 13-10 win in the triples. Colne went into a 9-1 lead but despite making a fight of
it and getting back to 10-11 Lorne Gibson, Beryl Gibson & Adam Buxton could go no further, losing out
to Viv Middleton-Sams, Dave Mark & Simon Bird.
Mark & Middleton-Sams dominated the doubles winning 13-5 for Colne, so it was left to Lorne Gibson to
salvage a point in the singles. This he did when he came back from 9-4 down to go 12-9 up and held on
to win 13-11 against Bird.
Rayne Cock 1 who are also in contention came unstuck at Feering Bell. The Bell triple of Bird, Pearse
& Winter started well establishing an 8–1 lead. The Cock triple of O’Sullivan, Wilsdon & Linehan
picked up 5 at the next end when Bird dropped short with the coche. However with good play from
Bird & Winter the Bell re-established their advantage 11-6. The Cock triple refused to be beaten,
twice saving the game with their last boule and pulled it back to 12–11. However, where before the
Bell may have capitulated they held their nerve to pick up the last point 13–11.
Bird & Winter maintained their good form in the doubles to secure a surprising 13–3 win against
O’Sullivan & Wilsdon who are the top doubles players of the campaign, having lost only one game all
season.
In the singles Pearse couldn’t make it a clean sweep as Linehan out played him to a 6–12 lead. A
brief rally saw Pearse pull back to 9–12 before Linehan pointed in for a well deserved win.
Well done Feering Bell for winning their final two games in their first season of playing and we
look forward to more wins in the summer.
The Onley Arms and Rayne Swan 2 teams observed a minutes silence in memory of John Boreham before
their game at Stisted.
In the triples, it was the visitors, Dennis and Tom Smith plus Trevor Turner who adapted best to the
frozen terrain, winning 13-2.
The doubles saw Tracey Austin and Daniel Blows take a 6-4 lead but Turner and Tom Smith took nine
from two ends to win the game.
It was left to home captain, Trevor Brenson, to secure a point
for the Onley. In a close game, Dennis Smith took the first four points. Brenson came back to lead
5-4 then 10-7, only for Smith to take three to even it up. It was Brenson that came out on top,
taking three from the next two ends to win 13-10.
BDPL 10/2/08
In the local Braintree & District Petanque league only one game went ahead which saw Colne Angel
defeat Feering Bell 2-1.
The Rayne Swan PC cancelled their games after the sad announcement of the the death of John Boreham.
John had played petanque for the Swan for many years and had just returned to the game after illness.
He will be sadly missed by all.
BDPL 3/2/08
With just two weeks to go in the Braintree & District Petanque Winter League, bottom team Feering Bell
have finally broken their duck.
Things didn’t start too well for the Bell as Rayne Swan 2 took an early lead in the triples. Although
the ends were keenly contested the Bell triple of Dave Bird, Dave Pearse & Tom Winter were not quite
good enough to put the Swan under any sustained pressure and when they did point close, Dennis Smith's
accurate shooting ensured the Swan continued to accumulate points to run out 13 – 4 winners.
In the singles Pearse started well against Smith running up a 6 – 0 lead after 3 ends thanks to a
little bit of help from the difficult home terrain. Pearse maintained his form to lead 10 – 0. Smith
then scored 2 after an error by Pearse, however Smith left a chance on the next end and Pearse pointed
in to secure a 13 – 2 win.
The attention turned to the triples where after being 4 – 1 down, Bird & Winter managed to pull
themselves back into a 6 – 4 lead. The next couple of ends proved crucial as Trevor Turner had the
misfortune of moving the coche back twice to convert ends they were holding into points for the Bell.
The Bell now sensing their maiden victory closed out the match 13 – 4 with excellent pointing from Bird
and shooting from Winter when needed.
Second placed Rayne Swan 1 were unable to displace Chequers (Gt Tey) from the top spot when they went
down 2-1. Swan started well coming back from 12-7 down to win 13-12 in the triples. The turnaround
occured after gaining control of the coche, Swan switched play to a long game which saw Beryl Gibson
start to point more accurately backed up by shooting from Adam Buxton.
The doubles saw the Chequers pair of Lloyd Herman & Bill Eve gain a convincing 13-3 win, and to
emphasise their right to be top of the league Frank Britt trounced Lorne Gibson in the singles 13-1.
It is turning out to be quite a battle for second place, which will probably not be settled until
the last game of the season.
In with a shout are Colne Angel who boosted their chances with a 2-1
away win over Rayne Cock 2. Dave Mark, Colin Sams & Viv Middleton-Sams were untouchable in the
triples, winning 13-0.
Mark carried his good form through to the doubles where he and Middleton-Sams defeated Mike Eldred &
Mark Sainsbury 13-10.
Cock's Simon Miah halted Colne's celebrations with a very good 13-5 singles
win over Sams.
There was a good win for Rayne Cock 1 at the Onley Arms but they will have left Stisted wondering how
they lost the triples. Clay O'Sullivan, Paul Linehan and Scott Wilsdon took a 5-0 lead. The Onley
triple of Derek Roughton, Daniel and Trevor Blows got back into the game to lead 8-7 when a poor end
from the home side saw the visitors go 12-8 up. At 8-12, the home side had boule in hand to win the
game but only scored a single shot. Then the visitors could not respond to Roughton's first boule and
allowed the home side to take the game 13-12.
The singles saw Linehan point and shoot well to beat
Trevor Blows 13-7. The deciding pairs was a one sided game with O'Sullivan and Wilsdon beating Tracey
Austin and Daniel Blows 13-3.
BDPL 27/1/08
In the Braintree & District Petanque League it was a good morning for the Onley Arms at Colne Angel.
Trevor and Daniel Blows, along with Derek Roughton, had the best of the bounce in the triples.
Dave Mark, Viv Middleton-Sams and Colin Sams were never in the game, losing 13-1.
On a difficult surface, Trevor Blows just got the better of Colin Sams in the singles, 13-9, to gain
some revenge for the defeat suffered earlier in the season.
The doubles match was very even
with Mark and Middleton-Sams pulling back an early Onley lead to 6-6. Points were traded at the next
few ends, to 9-9. Daniel Blows and Roughton continued to pressurise the home pair, but over the
next five ends the Angel managed to pick up the points to win 13-10. It finished 2-1 to the Onley.
Rayne Swan 1 moved into second place after defeating their team mates Swan 2. Adam Buxton, Beryl Gibson
& Lee Dodge went 3-7 down in the opening triples, but Dennis Smith, Trevor Turner & Tom Smith only
managed 1 more point, losing 13-8.
The doubles was a close affair, and at 11 all Dodge & Gibson were holding game point, when Turner
pointed in and moved the coche to take the game 13-11.
Swan 1 looked to be running away with the singles when Lorne Gibson went 11-1 ahead, but there was a
very good fight back by Tom Smith. Smith managed to get back to 11-10 before Gibson finished the game
off 13-10.
Chequers stay in first place on points difference, after a 3-0 win over bottom placed Feering Bell.
They also have a game in hand on 2nd placed RayneSwan 1. Onley are 3 points behind in third with Colne
Angel 4th.
BDPL 20/1/08
In the Braintree & District Petanque League Rayne Cock 2 gained only their second win of the season
over fellow strugglers Feering Bell. The match started well for the Bell triple of Dave Bird, Jack
Pearse & Dave Pearse who raced into a 10 – 0 lead. Just as things started to look desperate for the
Cock triple of Peter Eldred, Paul Christian & Mike Eldred they won an end. Adjusting quickly to the
Bell terrain they took control of the game gaining 12 unanswered points to take the game for the
Cock 13 –11.
In the singles Dave Bird quickly established another 10 – 0 lead for the Bell. Mike Eldred won the
next 3 points, but Bird mindful of what had happened in the triples, made sure of the game 13 – 3.
With the match depending on the doubles, ends were close but the Cock pair of Christian & Peter Eldred
pointing well built up an 8 – 1 lead. The next passage of play saw Jack & Dave Pearse respond to bring
the score to 6 – 8. However the Cock regained control and stopped the Bell’s revival securing the
game 13 – 8 and the match 2 - 1.
Rayne Swan 1 started well against second placed Onley Arms. Lee Dodge, Adam Buxton and Beryl Gibson
built a 9-5 lead. Trevor Blows then shot and moved the coche to give the visitors four to tie at 9-9.
At 9-10, the Onley had boule in hand to win the game but did not take advantage. At the next end
Daniel Blows put the Onley into a winning position and Swan could not respond, losing the game 13-10
and their unbeaten triples record.
Lorne Gibson defeated Trevor Blows 13-5 in a singles match
where good pointing from the home side punished sloppy play from the visiting captain.
Tracey Austin and Daniel Blows raced into a 7-2 lead for the Onley in the pairs. Dodge and Buxton
upped their game to take the lead and run out 13-8 winners.
Following Onley's defeat, Colne Angel move into second place after a 2-1 win over Rayne Swan 2. After
leading 10-1 in the triples Colne hung on for a 13-10 win after a hard fought comeback by Dennis Smith,
Tom Smith & Trevor Turner.
After last weeks excellent doubles win for Viv Middleton-Sams & Dave Mark they never stood a chance
against John Boreham & Dennis Smith who scored 11 in just two ends and won 13-8.
The match rested on the singles and despite some good play by Tom Smith, Colne's Colin Sams held on
for a 13-11 win.
BDPL 13/1/08
Feering Bell, on home ground, were very close to their first league win against the Onley Arms. The
home triple of Dave Pearse, Dave Bird and Tom Winter built an early 6-1 lead as the Onley struggled
on a difficult surface. Onley got themselves back into the game with Derek Roughton, Daniel and
Trevor Blows drawing level over the next three ends. They maintained their form and pulled away for
a 13-7 win.
In the singles, Trevor Blows built a 6-1 lead but excellent pointing from Bird took
him to a 7-6 lead. At 11-12, Bird, holding shot, had one boule in hand but failed to take the win.
At the final end, Blows pointed close and this proved enough to take the point and the game, 13-12.
Tracey Austin and Daniel Blows stormed away in the doubles to take an 11-0 lead. Winter and Pearse
clawed it back to 11-11 as the Onley form fell apart. A welcome point by Blows took it to 12-11 but
the Bell responded to take the score to 12-12. In a tight final end, it was the Onley who held their
nerve to take the point and game and climb into second place.
Feering Bell were so close to their
first win but remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Rayne Swan 1 continue to put pressure on the top teams with their second 3-0 win in a row. Against
Rayne Cock 2 Lorne Gibson, Lee Dodge & Adam Buxton won the triples 13-5.
Gibson continued his comeback
with a 13-5 win over Mark Sainsbury.
Simon Miah & Mike Eldred got off to a storming start in the
doubles leading 7-2. Unfortunately they did not score another point & lost 13-7 to Dodge & Buxton.
Third place Colne Angel failed to make progress against leaders Chequers losing 2-1 at home to their
rivals.
'Lucky' Lloyd Herman showed a trick or two in the triples and along with team mates Frank
Britt & Bill Eve ran out 13-6 winners.
The tables were turned in the doubles though when Viv Middleton-Sams showed her true shooting
abilities which complemented Dave Mark's pointing trouncing Herman & Eve 13-0.
The scoreline of 13-8 didn't do Colin Sams justice when he lost the singles to Britt, but Britt's
accurate pointing clinched the game and keeps Chequers firmly at the top of the table.
Rayne Cock 1 are quietly keeping in touch with the leaders and gained another 2-1 win against local
rivals Rayne Swan 2. Paul Linehan, Scott Wilsdon & Clay O'Sullivan won the triples 13-9.
Wilsdon
& O'Sullivan got back to winning ways in the doubles, although Swan's Boreham & Turner made them work
for their 13-12 win.
Swan's only win came in the singles where Dennis Smith defeated Linehan 13-7.
BDPL 6/1/08
In the Braintree & District Petanque League it was a happy New Year for Rayne Swan 1 when the return
of Lorne Gibson, after 6 weeks of illness, helped them to a 3-0 win over Feering Bell.
In lovely sunshine all three games followed a similar pattern, with Swan taking the lead and Bell
not able to catch up.
The triples saw Beryl Gibson, Lee Dodge & Adam Buxton take a 4 nil lead and the Bell peg it back to 4-3.
Good shooting from Buxton meant Swan took another 4 on the next end. Although the game was close, Rayne
kept control to run out 13-7 winners & carry their unbeaten triples record into 2008.
In the doubles Dave Bird & Tom Winter were in contention for the home side until at 3-6 Swan won 4 to
take the score to 3-10 and then win 3-13.
In the singles the scores were close although Lorne Gibson always held the lead and control of the game.
The pointing was fairly even but Gibson's ability to shoot when needed proved decisive, winning 13-9
against Dave Pearse.
Onley Arms hosted Rayne Cock 2 and it was the visitors who started well in the triple. Simon Miah,
Paul Christian and Peter Eldred, pointing well, were 10-3 ahead before the home side found some form.
Four good ends for Tracey Austin, Daniel and Trevor Blows saw the Onley take ten unanswered points and
the game, 13-10.
In the doubles, Miah and Eldred got the better of Austin and Daniel Blows.
Leading 11-2, the home side pulled back but could not prevent a 13-7 defeat.
In the deciding
singles, a good all-round performance took Trevor Blows to a 12-3 lead. With good pointing from
Christian, the score became 12-7 before Blows secured the winning point and the match 2-1.
Rayne Cock 1 took advantage of their difficult home piste to defeat second place Colne Angel 2-1.
A good start in the triples saw Paul Linehan, Scott Wilsdon & Clay O'Sullivan defeat Viv Middleton-Sams,
Dave Mark & Colin Sams 13-5.
In the doubles Wilsdon & O'Sullivan lost their 100% record to the narrowest of margins, losing 13-12 to
Sams & Mark.
Linehan gained a very good 13-9 win over Middleton-Sams to take the match and keep them in third place
just 1 point behind Colne.
BDPL Christmas period
A number of games were played over the Christmas period. Feering Bell visited the Onley Arms and
their triple was quickly dispatched a 13-0 by Trevor Blows, Derek Roughton and Tracey Austin.
In the singles, Blows took on Dave Bird. Good pointing from the home captain built a 12-0 lead. Bird,
with better pointing, took advantage of two poor ends by the Onley, to claw back three points.
The success ended as Blows took the next point and a 13-3 win.
The doubles started well for father
and son, Dave and Jack Pearse, as they built
a 7-0 lead. Two good ends from Daniel Blows and Tracey
Austin brought it
back to 7-7. At this stage, the ‘zig-zag’ pointing of Austin took control and the
Onley, with Blows shooting well at the final end, went on to win 13-7. So 3-0 to the Onley Arms,
but young Jack Pearse shows great promise for the future.
Feering Bell took on Cock 2 at Rayne with both teams looking for their first win. Cock 2 started well
in the triples building a 3 - 0 lead . Feering then had the good fortune to be holding three boule
when the coche was put out of play. This gave Feering some confidence and they built up a 10 - 3 lead.
Feering eventually ran out 13-6 winners for their third game point of the season.
Dave Bird and
Dave Pearse went into the doubles with hopes of securing their first match win but the game was a
total reverse of the triples with the Rayne pair playing very well. Rayne were 10 - 0 up in a few
ends and there was no way back for the Bell. The Cock winning 13-3.
Tom Winter played Cock
landlord Mark Sainsbury in the singles. Mark pointed and shot well to win 13-5. So it was Rayne
Cock 2 who celebrated their first match win of the season and Feering Bell have to wait for 2008!
Onley Arms got the better of Rayne Swan 2 and took three points back to Stisted to start their New
Year celebrations. The home triple of Dennis Smith, Trevor Turner and John Boreham started slowly but
four at one end took the score to 6-6. The Onley triple of Trevor Blows, Daniel Blows and Derek
Roughton then stepped up a gear to take the next seven points for a 13-6 win.
In the singles
Dennis Smith took a 7-6 lead over Trevor Blows. Blows then found the shooting form that had deserted
him in the triples, took seven points from three ends and the game 13-7.
The doubles was a closer
affair. Early on, Turner and Boreham built a 6-2 lead for the Swan. Daniel Blows and Tracey Austin
pointed well to peg it back to 6-6. The teams traded points to 10-10 but the Onley pair took three
at the next end for the game.
At the half way stage of the Winter league, Chequers lead the way, closely followed by Angel, Cock 1
and the Onley Arms. With games in hand, reigning champions Swan 1 could still figure in the fight for
the title.
Best wishes go to Lorne Gibson from the Swan who spent some time in hospital before
Christmas. We look forward to seeing him back on the terrain in 2008.
BDPL 16/12/07
Chequers proved too strong for the Onley Arms, taking a 3-0 win.
In the triples, Bill Eve,
Lloyd Herman and Frank Britt 'ping ponged' the coche during the early ends to go 6-0 ahead.
The Onley triple, with Trevor Blows producing some good 'end saving' shots, started to claw their
way back into the game. The Chequers responded and moved up a gear to go 12-2 up. The Onley then
produced a strong comeback. Tracey Austin and Derek Roughton pointed well to bring the score back
to 12-8. The success ended there as the Chequers won the next end to take the game.
In the singles,
the all round game of Britt was too strong and he defeated Roughton 13-4.
In the doubles, Eve and
Herman traded points with Blows and Austin. At 6-7, the Onley failed to take advantage of 'boules
in hand' and gave points to the Chequers. This was the turning point as the home side won the next
end to take the game
13-7.
It is a match like this, with all six players contributing to a
competitive yet highly entertaining and sociable morning, that makes Petanque such a great game to play.
BDPL 9/12/07
Rayne Cock 1 continued their good form with a 3-0 home win over Feering Bell. The away team struggled
to get to grips with the difficult terrain and were out-pointed and out-shot in the triples losing 13-0.
Their woes continued as Dave Pearse & Dave Bird took on the unbeaten duo of Clay O'Sullivan & Scott
Wilsdon and proceeded to give 5 away on the second end. There was no way back and O'Sullivan & Wilsdon
raced away to a 13-3 win.
In heavy rain, Tom Winter tried to salvage a point against Paul Linehan in the singles. Winter
played really well keeping the game very close throughout and at 12-8, picked up 3 points to set up a
nail biting finish. However, Linehan kept his game together and pointed in for a 13-11 win and the
match 3-0.
Another difficult terrain is at Colne Angel and this helped the home team to a 2-1 win over Rayne
Swan 1.
Things didn't start well for Colne when they were 12-8 down in the triples and Viv Middleton-Sams
shot their own holding boule to give the game to the Swan 13-8.
Skipper Dave Mark, who is
leading from the front with some superb pointing this season, partnered Middleton-Sams in the doubles
where they made amends with a fine 13-5 win over Lee Dodge & Adam Buxton, and this was despite some
excellent shooting by Buxton.
In the singles Colin Sams went into a 7-0 lead over Beryl Gibson. Gibson made a spirited effort to
gain some points and even surprised her opponent when shooting out the holding game boule at 12-5.
Sams was the stronger singles player though and won 13-8. This moves Colne Angel up the table where
they are challenging the leaders Chequers, with Rayne Cock a close third.
BDPL 2/12/07
In the Braintree & District Petanque League Feering Bell, who normally start well in the triples, were
outplayed by a good team effort from Colne Angel, quickly losing 13-2.
In the singles Dave Pearse looked to be heading for a drubbing when he went 8-2 down to Colne's Dean
Middleton. But Pearse's luck finally changed and he went on to gain an excellent 13-9 win over the
experienced Middleton.
In the deciding doubles things did not look good when the Colne pairing of Dave Mark & Colin Sams went
into a 6-0 lead. Tom Winter & Dave Bird put up some good resistance getting up to 9-6 but eventually
lost 13-6 and a well deserved match victory for Colne.
Rayne Cock 1 had a very good away win over local rivals Rayne Swan 1. The Cock got off to their usual
bad start in the triples, being trounced 13-2.
Then the unbeaten pair of Scott Wilsdon & Clay
O'Sullivan kept their record in tact with a 13-9 win over Beryl Gibson & Lee Dodge.
It was then
down to Paul Linehan in the singles and he didn't disappoint, storming into a 10-0 lead over Adam
Buxton. A slight rally saw Buxton gain 5 points but Linehan was untroubled and won 13-5 and the
match 2-1.
BDPL 25/11/07
In the Braintree & District Petanque League Rayne Cock 1 still have 'triple trouble' after their
match against the Onley Arms. Despite taking four points at the first end, Clay O'Sullivan, Paul
Linehan and Scott Wilsdon could not add to their score. With Derek Roughton pointing well, the Onley
took the game 13-4.
Wilsdon and O'Sullivan keep their unbeaten record in the doubles.
With Daniel Blows and Tracey Austin not making the most of their chances, the home side won 13-1.
In the deciding singles, captains Linehan and Trevor Blows traded points early on. Two good ends
saw Blows move into a 9-4 lead. He kept up the pressure to take the game 13-8 and the match 2-1 for
the Onley Arms.
Rayne Swan 2 got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Feering Bell. The scores do not do the
Bell justice as the games were hard fought and points were gained at just 1 or 2 at a time.
Tom Smith,
Dennis Smith & Trevor Turner won the triples 13-4 against Dave Bird, Tom Winter & Dave Pearse, mainly
thanks to the accuracy of Tom Smith's pointing.
Dennis Smith & John Boreham defeated Winter & Pearse in the doubles 13-6.
Tom Smith held his form
the singles and there was another 13-4 score for the Swan.
Colne Angel put pressure on the leaders Chequers, whose game against 2nd place Swan 1 was postponed.
Colne defeated Rayne Cock 2 3-0, the best performance was in the singles where Viv Middleton-Sams
came back from 10-4 down against Mark Sainsbury to win 13-12.
BDPL 18/11/07
In the Braintree & District Petanque Winter League, Feering Bell finally got the chance to earn some
points after having 2 games postponed. Playing at home against Chequers PC from Gt Tey, Jack Pearse
(10) enjoyed his first competitive game when he teamed up with father Dave Pearse & Dave Bird, for
an excellent 13-7 win in the triples.
The joy didn't last though with Chequers father & daughter pairing of Frank & Megan Britt gaining
a 13-5 doubles win.
Tom Winter finally arrived after reporting in at the wrong venue, and maybe
wished he hadn't when he lost 13-2 to Bill Eve, and the match 2-1.
At the Onley Arms, the home side and Colne Angel braved a biting cold wind to produce some great
petanque.
In the triples, Trevor Blows, Daniel Blows and Tracey Austin pointed well to win 13-5.
In the singles, Colin Sams played the all-round game of his life to restrict Blows to a single
point.
The doubles was the closest game of the day, with Viv Middleton Sams and Dave Mark just
edging out Austin and Derek Roughton in a game that could have gone either way. Onley had a chance
to shoot for game but missed and the next end Middleton-Sams pointed in for game and a 2-1 win for
Colne Angel.
BDPL 11/11/07
In the Braintree & District Petanque League there was another 3-0 scoreline for Colne Angel and this
week it was in their favour. Dave Mark, Colin Sams & Viv Middleton-Sams were untroubled in the triples
against Rayne Swan 2, winning 13-2.
In the doubles Colne took an 8-0 lead and looked to be
romping home, but Swan started to peg them back and closed the gap to 10-9, but 3 on the next end gave
Colne the win.
It was a similar tale in the singles with Mark taking a 7-1 lead over Dennis Smith,
but it became a very close game with Mark just squeezing home 13-12.
At Stisted, Rayne Swan 1 overwhelmed the Onley Arms in the triples. Lee Dodge, Beryl Gibson and Adam
Buxton scored points with ease to win 13-3.
The singles matches between Lorne Gibson and Trevor
Blows are usually close fought and this was no exception. From 7-7, Blows built an 11-8 lead but good
shooting from Gibson brought it back to 11-10. At the next end, Blows pointed in to claim the points
and the game 13-10.
The deciding pairs looked a one horse race with Onley taking a 9-4 lead through
Daniel Blows and Tracey Austin. Dodge and Beryl Gibson fought back to 9-9 but Onley got back into gear
and solid play from Blows saw the Onley home 13-9 to take the match 2-1.
Chequers PC from Gt Tey inflicted the first defeat of the season on Rayne Cock 1. Frank Britt, Bill
Eve & Lloyd Herman had a resounding 13-1 win in the triples.
Rayne Cock came back at them in the
doubles with Scott Wilsdon & Clay O'Sullivan keeping their unbeaten record with an impressive 13-3 win.
Britt made sure of the win for Chequers defeating Paul Linehan in the singles 13-5.
BDPL 4/11/07
Rayne Cock 1 got their BDPL winter league season off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Rayne Swan 2.
The Cock didn't start well with Scott Wilsdon, Clay O'Sullivan & Paul Linehan losing the triples 13-5,
but they turned it around in the doubles with a comprehensive 13-0 win. Wilsdon & O'Sullivan totally
outpointing Clare Courtney & John Boreham, who was making a welcome return for the Swan.
Linehan made sure the points went their way with a 13-9 win over Trevor Turner.
Chequers PC from Gt Tey were back to full strength this week and it showed with a 3-0 win against Colne
Angel.
Frank Britt, Bill Eve & Lloyd Herman defeated Viv Middleton-Sams, Colin Sams & Dave Mark 13-9.
The doubles was a close affair with Eve & Herman coming out on top 13-10, but the singles saw a
one sided win for Britt over Middleton-Sams with a score of 13-3.
BDPL 28/10/07
The Braintree & District Petanque winter league got under way and it was a very wet start for Feering
Bell who lost 3-0 away to Rayne Swan 1. The Bell had three newcomers in their side who performed well
despite losing. Andrew Winter, Dave Bird & Dave Pearse held their own in the triples against a strong
Swan team, but at 7 all Lee Dodge, Adam Buxton & Lorne Gibson moved up a gear and took the game 13-7.
The doubles was won comfortably by Lorne & Beryl Gibson 13-2.
Dave Pearse played well in the
singles, only losing 13-10 to Adam Buxton.
Rayne Swan 2 also started with a win, beating Chequers 2-1. Young Megan Britt was playing her first
competitive game for the Chequers and pointed well in the triples, but she, father Frank Britt & Lloyd
Herman lost 13-7 to Dennis Smith, Tom Smith & Clare Courtney.
Tom Smith carried his good pointing
into the doubles where he & Courtney were untroubled against Herman & Helen Britt, winning 13-2.
Chequers gained some revenge in the singles where Frank Britt outplayed Dennis Smith to win 13-3.
There was a good start for Onley Arms with a 2-1 win at Rayne Cock 2. The triples saw newcomers Paul
Christian and Simon Miah team up with Mark Sainsbury for the Cock. In heavy rain, the game was close
at 7-8 when Onley's Derek Roughton pointed into the smallest of spaces to take a point and turn the
match. His partners Chris Hunt and Trevor Blows then found some form and took the game 13-7.
The
singles was one-sided with Blows defeating another newcomer, Mike Eldred 13-1. The success for the
Cock came in the pairs with Christian and Miah beating Hunt and Tracey Austin 13-3.