PETANQUE - BOULES - 1 and 2
Pétanque Boules - 1
Two alternating groups, each fortnightly. To message the Leader for either group, click Petanque . If you wish to join always supply your membership number. If you are not a member please remember to include your telephone number.
Would be players must be members of the group, must have booked in advance and must have accepted the then prevailing rules.
Shepperton, 2 groups, each alternating to meet every other Thursday 2.30 - 4 pm, from the beginning of April to the end of October, for fun sessions played on a gravel surface. No previous knowledge is expected.
Pétanque is a game that originated in Provence, France. It has simple rules and involves throwing a round metal ball (a boule) the size of a large orange at a target (a cochonnet or jack) and getting as close to it as possible. Two teams, each comprising two or three players, compete against each other. Knocking an opponent’s boule out of the way or moving the cochonnet are part of the enjoyment and the result of a game is never decided until the very last boule has been thrown. Luck plays an important part and our experienced players sometimes fare no better than newcomers! We play for fun so don’t get too upset when an opposing team member knocks our boules out of the way!
We play on gravel in a special area behind The Bell in Shepperton. The first Pétanque group started in April 2013 with a target number of twelve players. We now have two groups of around twenty members each of which meet on alternate Thursday afternoons from 2.30 - 4 pm from the beginning of April until the end of September (or October, weather permitting). This gives each team enough time to play a complete game and usually a shorter one before relaxing afterwards over refreshments. There is space to play up to 3 separate games at a time by a total of 18 players. Attendance averages at about twelve per week but can vary from eight to sixteen.
No previous experience is necessary. It is a game for all ages and all levels of fitness; there is no running around. (Bending to pick up the boules is not a problem due to the acquisition of some magnetic boules lifters.) It is usually possible to squeeze in a few new players so why not come and join us, perhaps on a trial basis?