Bien pointé! Jersey scores sixth win in pétanque inter-insular

Tuesday 09 August 2022

Jersey scored its sixth win in a row in the pétanque inter insular, despite struggling in the first rounds.

The competition returned last weekend following a two-year hiatus due to covid, with Jersey winning “by the narrowest of margins”, with the final result being decided on the pétanque equivalent of goal difference.

This year, the Inter Insular was taking part in Guernsey. With little time to practice after arriving at St. Peter Port, the Jersey team struggled in the first round, which comprised of 12 singles matches.

Brandon Ogier clinched the first point of the competition for Guernsey with a 13-7 win against Ross Payne.

By the end of the round Jersey found themselves down by eight matches to four – and it could have been worse but for a last-ditch win by Andy Limbrick over Lee Holberry.

Pictured: The Guernsey squad.

The first round of doubles saw Jersey claw their way back into contention. Mat Schofield and Geoffroy Buffetrille showed no mercy to Bob Cave and Martyn Mace, who failed to score a single point. With other wins going Jersey’s way, the team finally took the lead, but the home side weighed in with two late doubles wins levelling up match overall at 12 points apiece.

The second round of doubles was a much tighter affair and ended with the two sides scoring three wins each, leaving the match in the balance at 18-all and just the four trebles left to play, worth three points each.

Guernsey went back into the lead when Vicki Le Poidevin, Ian Haith and Giles Cleal sealed a 13-8 win against Alan Lahiffe, Mat Scholefield and Andy Limbrick.

Pictured: Gary Cowburn.

The last three matches were tense affairs, with both Jersey and Guernsey pulling off narrow 13-11 victories leaving the match to be decided by the final triple between Wendy Ritzema, Gary Cowburn and Geoffroy Buffetrille for Jersey and Andi Cleal, Dave Bartram and Fred Wallnofer for the home side.

A Guernsey win would have given the home side their first victory in the competition since 2014 but if Jersey succeeded the match would have to be decided on points difference.

It was left to Wendy Ritzema to roll in the decisive boule for Jersey and it was down to the mathematicians, as both sides waited on tenterhooks for the result of the count-back. It was eventually decided that Jerey had won the day with an overall points difference of plus-25.

Pictured: Geoffroy Buffetrille.

The trophy was presented to Dave Ibitson, Chairman of Petanque Jersey, who paid tribute to both teams for the intense but friendly way the competition was waged.

He added the result was a good portent for next weekend’s Home Nations competition in Troon where Jersey will take on England, Wales and Scotland.

“I have always believed that we have put together the strongest squad the island has ever had and I now know that we can go forward and win the Home Nations for the first time.”