The john sear Pétanque challenge cup
Ongar Town Festival, following 2 years of Covid uncertainty, finally returned on Sunday 1st May 2022 attracting over 4,000 visitors to enjoy the activities and celebrate our May Kings and Queens theme. This included over 80 Pétanque players from a variety of clubs within the Eastern Counties, to compete in this year’s John Sear Pétanque Pairs Competition organised by Carolyn Innocent and hosted by Ongar Pétanque.
An additional 8 pistes were laid on the morning of the competition, in the centre of the Pleasance Car Park, making a total of 12 overall to accommodate the 40 teams entered. These were surrounded by art and craft, Health and Beauty, Charity, and refreshment stalls, plus Forest Gold Radio were there to MC and broadcast the event live. Morris Dancers also arrived to enhance the atmosphere and entertain in the lunch break.
Competition was open to all playing standards and provided some great matches. Initially the teams were divided into 10 Divisions of 4 teams – all playing all in each division, just 7 ends per match. In the afternoon winners of each division moved into the Gold League knockout competition, 2nd placed into the Silver League, 3rd placed into the Bronze, and 4th placed the Copper. Competition hotted up, all fighting to stay in the competition, but all playing in great festival spirit. There were some excellent performances from all the finalists producing some high-level play, the overall Ongar Festival champions 2022 and Gold League winners were – Towers Tigers – Richard Shaw + David Hermosa from Towers PC defeating the Peetankers: Nigel Wood + Matt Beattie from The Star, Standon.
Full Results:
GOLD Winners: TOWERS TIGERS – Richard Shaw, David Hermosa – Towers PC
Runners Up: PEETANKERS – Nigel Wood + Matt Beattie – The Star, Standon
SILVER Winners: GENERATION GAME – Charlie Littleton + Francois – Towers PC
Runners Up: LES FRANCAISES – Herve + Louis Gouleme – Birchanger
BRONZE Winners: BONNIE & CLYDE – Helen Allison + Steve Ephgrave – The Plough, Bocking
Runners Up: SPARTACUS – Ilona Stringer + Edwin Staples – Billericay
COPPER Winners: THE ANGELS – Tom Sparks + Jack Hughes – The Star, Standon
Runners Up: BLUES BROTHERS – John Moore +Steve Kramer – Ongar Pétanque
Our thanks to all our Sponsors and Supporters for making another successful day for our Ongar community.
Carolyn Innocent – Ongar Pétanque and Festival Coordinator.