Twenty juniors assembled at Royal Wootton Bassett Petanque Club to contest the 2024 Petanque England Junior Doubles.
This preliminary report will bring you the results and a few highlights we will bring you more details later.
Highlights: GWR President Bob Rumble said immediately after the final, ‘That was a cracking game, what a final’, he was right. Matthew and Alex (SCPA) took a ten point lead; Alex (GWR) and Nathan (Chiltern)
staged an exciting come back to 10-10. The Southern lads were holding two, a lucky ricochet gave them the third. Game over. Great skills from both teams, great concentration and determination all round.
Highlights two: Watching Zac from Kent hit two spot carreaux, there might have been more but I only saw the two.
Highlights three: Alex S-D from Mere, GWR and Issy and Jaydon from Whitnash playing their first competitions and behaving and performing like seasoned professionals. Impressive young players, what potential.
Highlights four: Seeing ten year old Megan Edwards bounce around the terrain with the biggest smile I have ever seen. She is pointing pretty well too.
Highlights five: hearing the raucous cheers go up when Tegan (Kent) and Aimee (SCPA) beat Charlie (Heart of England) and Tristan (SCPA) to take third place.
Enjoy the photos, there will be a fuller report later.
Winners: Matthew B and Alex R (SCPA)
Runners up: Nathan Huntley (Chiltern) and Alex M (GWR)
3rd: Tegan F (Kent) and Aimee R (SCPA)
4th: Tris K (SCPA) and Charlie W (H of E)
5th: Conner E (GWR) and Ethan B (Central)
6th: Amy G and Ayva Law (H of E)
7th: Lewis M and Sasha D (SCPA)
8th: Issy S and Jayden D (H of E)
9th: Alex W (Mercia) and Alex S D (GWR)
10th: Megan E (Central) and Zac F (Kent)
A few other comments regarding the Doubles on Saturday from Chris Chubb.
All those taking part were impressed with the super facilities at Royal Wootton Bassett Petanque Club. We were also thankful for the input and support from President of the Club Alan McIness, Andrew and all the members for allowing us the use of their Club and the support they provided.
Some people go the extra mile GW Regional President, Bob Rumble, worked his socks of in the days before the event, he found us a player – another Alex, with loads of potential, he found us a perpetual trophy, and he came along on the day to make the presentations. Thanks Bob, great support.
Th Umpires Commission sent us David Mason to Umpire our day, he did not have a lot to do but we appreciated his presence.
Finally Chris Garrett came along with his video kit and recorded many of the matches; we hope to use this footage for coaching purposes and will try to put some sections on the Web site for you all to see the quality of our young players.
Remember to keep up with all that is going on with the juniors follow us on Facebook: @PEJuniors and for all upcoming events checkout the juniors webpage here: Juniors (petanque-england.uk)