Three Kent players Marcus Hickman of Ramsgate’s Vale Tavern, Kevin Spillet and Roland Jones both of Gillingham’s Plough & Chequer’s, were joined by Thames Valley’s Phil Claydon, to attend the annual Festival International de Petanque at Blangy-Sur-Bresle
Blangy 2008 Marcus & Friends (Photo 1)
Arriving as the only English team the quartet accepted the international invitation and had the honour of representing the country. Other countries in attendance were Denmark, Monaco, Sweden, Luxembourg, Pay Bas, Belgium, Tunisia, Spain, Hungary, Canada, Finland and 2 select National French sides. It was said that the quality of players was the highest ever for this tournament.
Having arrived at 15:00 on the Friday the English team were asked to provide one name to compete in the invitation tournament later that day. To the amusement of Kevin, Roland and Phil, this place was given to Marcus who thought he had been stitched up by the others. Their laughs were short lived however, when the names of the other competitors were announced including non other than: Loy of France (World Champion), Van Campenhout of Belgium (World Champion), Hureau of France (World Champion), Lakhal of Tunisia (World Champion), Diconstanzo (French International) Lamour (French International) Spinouze (French international) and a whole host of other internationals.
Marcus found himself paired with Hureau and Disconstanzo, whilst Kevin, Roland and Phil looked on in disbelief from the stands. The invitation tournament was based on timed games and after promptly disposing of Van Campenhout in the first game and then a combined Dutch/Danish team in the second, Marcus found himself in the final against Mathieu Spinouze and one of the French lady World Champions.
Blangy 2008 Marcus & Friend (Photo 2)
The game itself was poised at 6 - 6 when the whistle went denoting the last end to be played. Characteristically Diconstanzo and Hureau shot 4 boule and left them on the piste within a metre of the Jack. This left Spinouze with two boule against Marcus with two boule with the smart money on Spinouze. Predictably Spinouze pointed within a foot of the Jack. Unfazed (not) Marcus somehow managed to Carreau the boule leaving his team on for 5 points. Spinouze then out pointed this boule leaving Marcus with a shot for game. Under no pressure accept for maybe 1) a pointer shooting 2) a full crowd 3) Kevin, Roland and Phil dancing at the end of the piste 4) The thought of letting two French internationals down, Marcus stood up and hit the boule to claim 6 points and win the Match. This was rewarded with a giant trophy a Microwave Oven and having the title as the current President’s Trophy Champion.
On the Saturday the English team were entered in the International triples tournament comprising of 512 teams. The first round was a barrage and having waited 1hr for their team to arrive they were awarded the first game by default. In the next game the team did not perform well and lost to a French side who pointed particularly well. This set up a playoff with another French side and after a nervy start the English team found some form and comfortably won 13 - 8. In the next round the team played some very good boule and some terrific shooting from Phil and Roland silenced a very good regional side, who at the start of the game came across very confident. The English team eventually won 13 - 7 leaving the French team stunned as well as the small crowd.
Blangy 2008 Marcus & Friends (Photo 3)
Having worked there way into the last 64 the team came up against Spain in the main arena. Unfortunately the English lads could not reproduce the form of the previous round and despite picking up an end of five, the team were left to rue a missed opportunity feeling they could of competed much better.
On Sunday Kevin and Roland paired up as did Marcus and Phil to enter the straight knockout doubles competitions comprising 256 teams. Marcus and Phil came unstuck in the first round against a decent French side, losing 13-7. Kevin and Roland were then left to fly the flag and in fine form despatched their first two opponents to reach the last 32. Here they came up against the current Swedish Champions and after a shaky start the boys got to grips with their game and destroyed their opponents 13-5. This was a fantastic achievement moving them onto the last 16 of the competition and earning some respect from the Swedes.
In the last 16 Kevin and Roland mirrored the previous day and did not perform against another decent French side going down 13-0. They did do the country proud however and should be pleased with their performance overall. In the afternoon doubles (72 teams) Marcus and Phil performed much better qualifying for the last 16 before having to leave to catch the train.
Overall all 4 players had a fantastic weekend of boule making international friends and leaving with the knowledge that they had gained some respect.
The final of the Triples competition consisted of the two French representative sides of Spinouze, Loy and Pascal Milei against Diconstanzo, Lamour and the French singles Champion Christophe Trembleau.
Photographs are included showing Marcus rubbing shoulders with some World Champions, but unfortunately no ‘team’ photo.
Report: Marcus Hickman