The Junior Inter-Regionals featured eight teams this year, an improvement of one over last. Still not good but any progress is welcome.
Day one was hard fought with some great displays from the kids.
The combined team featuring Theo (Eastern), Alex S-D (GWR), Ruby (Chiltern), and Ryley (Chiltern) just seven years old and filling in for big brother Ronnie who broke his arm the day before the competition (with Manager Ian Chitheroe), understandable struggled to begin with having only met that day, but in each match they improved ‘till in the final match of the day against Chiltern they turning in a stunning 13-12 victory.
Chiltern had a good day up to that final match and as two of their opponents were from their own region must have been frustrated.
The Chiltern team performed well, Nathan his usual consistent self, Aaron playing some great boule, some quality play from Alfie and good back up from Hugo. (with Manager Syri Noble)
Last year’s Champs Kent, with the same team, Tegan, Zac and James, (with Manager Jamie Finley) won their opening matches but then fell to Heart of England, they then showed their resilience with a good win over Southern 2.
Heart of England, Charlie, Ayva & Amy (with Manager Dave Hancox) had a tough first day meeting Mercia, Chiltern, Kent & Southern 1 they came away with victories over Mercia and Kent.
Central were again anchored by Ethan who kept his younger team-mates in order, Alfie T & Megan (with Manager Alison Taylor) Megan just 10yrs, was a revelation, diminutive but determined, her pointing was excellent. The team did not manage a win on day one but they faced top teams Southern, Kent, Chiltern & Mercia.
Mercia, Alex W, Lisa, Quinn & Xander (with Manager Christine Bradley) lost their opening two games but bounced back to win the next two. The two Southern teams had mixed fortunes.
Top team who are playing together for the third year Aimee, Alex R, Axel & Matthew (with Manager Keith Summers) were unbeaten
but the second team Sasha, Oscar, Lewis & Tristan (with Manager Claire Rickman) picked up just one win over Mercia.
At the end of the day’s competitive play, there was time for friendlies for those interested, we saw the two teams for the Euros in a couple of weeks time face each other with the boys (Charlie, Alex, Matthew) just beating the girls (Tegan, Amy, Aimee, Ayva), 13-12 under the supervision of President Colin.
Three of the Mercia team, Lisa, Quinn & Zander took their PE Skills White Award (Sponsored by Samueljacks) and passed with flying colours.
Find out how they all got on in Day 2 tomorrow.
To find out more about the PE Skills awards sponsored by Samueljacks the details can be found here: Petanque England Skills Award (petanque-england.uk)
if you have any juniors doing their skills award in your club please let us know as we want to celebrate with them. Send all stories and any photos to Chris Chubb at juniors@petanque-england.uk
For those keen to stay updated on junior petanque activities, be sure to follow @PEJuniors on Facebook. Additionally, for information on upcoming events, visit the juniors webpage at Juniors (petanque-england.uk).