an ideal opportunity.
The sport is advertised as being suitable for all ages, both sexes and all abilities. How right that claim was – we were hooked. Unfortunately, the boys had better things to do with their time and it was their parents who saw their lives change dramatically. Warning: Pétanque is addictive!
Despite the wet day, the warm welcome and picnic lunch soon had us wanting to learn more about the club and the sport. We were soon playing in the team and competitions across the county, expanding into Suffolk and beyond as the game got a grip.
It is an enthralling battle of wits and skills. Picking the right shot, the best landing spot, when to shoot, when to point or when to close things down were all soon intense topics of conversation. Smooth or 'pineapple' boules, bar towel or duster, tape measure or extendable rule – nothing was too trivial to discuss at great length. Best of all, the social side with new friends made across Norfolk, eager to welcome new players and pass on their own knowledge and useful tips.
Hospitality is always friendly, no matter what the score, although the variety of after-match fare varies – from the virtual full meals at Strumpshaw and Eccles to the soggy biscuits and out-of-date supermarket pasties at other clubs I'd better not mention.
It's an easy game to play, fairly simple to master but capable of delivering crushing blows to your confidence when a complete novice trounces you with an embarrassing 'fanny'. Speaking of the infamous 13-0 defeat. The first time Dave and I played a county competition, we were soundly beaten by a veteran pair in just four ends on the undulating Cottage terrain at Thorpe. It was the only time we faced outright gamesmanship – the old guard showing the cheeky young upstarts how it's supposed to be done. Revenge was a while coming but a few years later that same couple were 'fannied' in just three ends on the smooth surface at Diss - they didn't take kindly to it at all!
Like all sports, there are plenty of ploys to put off your opponent. I've suffered from opponents who manage to drop sweet wrappers just as you're about to throw, or suffer a sneezing fit, start moving behind your target or decide to query rules and break your concentration. It's all part of the game unfortunately.
Surfaces vary enormously but the secret is to stick to the basics and plan your shots to make the most of anything you can. Corners of bricks, deep shale, puddles, motorway-smooth lanes and even beer barrels and lamp-posts all need to be negotiated.
For variety, try playing in the snow – the boules are turned into snowballs and the coche is buried. For even more fun, go to the beach. A well-placed boule a fraction away from the coche can suddenly turn tail and disappear to the distant waterline. Even watching pétanque can be addictive.
The different styles of play are enormously entertaining.
The ponderer – takes for ever to prepare for the shot and is seemingly unable to release the boule from clenched fingers.
The entertainer whizz – bang! No foreplay here, wallop and a tight game is scattered across three pistes.
The magician – one lady plays in a long skirt and always throws the boule from between her legs – one day I'm convinced it won't come back down…
The clockwork man – a couple of players have a very rigid style of play which is almost like a ratchet as the boule is delivered.
The chicken – A bizarre pre-delivery that looks for all the world as if the player is about to lay an egg.
There are lots more – feel free to add your own favourites.
Steven Penny
The sport is advertised as being suitable for all ages, both sexes and all abilities. How right that claim was – we were hooked. Unfortunately, the boys had better things to do with their time and it was their parents who saw their lives change dramatically. Warning: Pétanque is addictive!
Despite the wet day, the warm welcome and picnic lunch soon had us wanting to learn more about the club and the sport. We were soon playing in the team and competitions across the county, expanding into Suffolk and beyond as the game got a grip.
It is an enthralling battle of wits and skills. Picking the right shot, the best landing spot, when to shoot, when to point or when to close things down were all soon intense topics of conversation. Smooth or 'pineapple' boules, bar towel or duster, tape measure or extendable rule – nothing was too trivial to discuss at great length. Best of all, the social side with new friends made across Norfolk, eager to welcome new players and pass on their own knowledge and useful tips.
Hospitality is always friendly, no matter what the score, although the variety of after-match fare varies – from the virtual full meals at Strumpshaw and Eccles to the soggy biscuits and out-of-date supermarket pasties at other clubs I'd better not mention.
It's an easy game to play, fairly simple to master but capable of delivering crushing blows to your confidence when a complete novice trounces you with an embarrassing 'fanny'. Speaking of the infamous 13-0 defeat. The first time Dave and I played a county competition, we were soundly beaten by a veteran pair in just four ends on the undulating Cottage terrain at Thorpe. It was the only time we faced outright gamesmanship – the old guard showing the cheeky young upstarts how it's supposed to be done. Revenge was a while coming but a few years later that same couple were 'fannied' in just three ends on the smooth surface at Diss - they didn't take kindly to it at all!
Like all sports, there are plenty of ploys to put off your opponent. I've suffered from opponents who manage to drop sweet wrappers just as you're about to throw, or suffer a sneezing fit, start moving behind your target or decide to query rules and break your concentration. It's all part of the game unfortunately.
Surfaces vary enormously but the secret is to stick to the basics and plan your shots to make the most of anything you can. Corners of bricks, deep shale, puddles, motorway-smooth lanes and even beer barrels and lamp-posts all need to be negotiated.
For variety, try playing in the snow – the boules are turned into snowballs and the coche is buried. For even more fun, go to the beach. A well-placed boule a fraction away from the coche can suddenly turn tail and disappear to the distant waterline. Even watching pétanque can be addictive.
The different styles of play are enormously entertaining.
The ponderer – takes for ever to prepare for the shot and is seemingly unable to release the boule from clenched fingers.
The entertainer whizz – bang! No foreplay here, wallop and a tight game is scattered across three pistes.
The magician – one lady plays in a long skirt and always throws the boule from between her legs – one day I'm convinced it won't come back down…
The clockwork man – a couple of players have a very rigid style of play which is almost like a ratchet as the boule is delivered.
The chicken – A bizarre pre-delivery that looks for all the world as if the player is about to lay an egg.
There are lots more – feel free to add your own favourites.
Steven Penny
There are also players that try to imitate a Dalek. Others include - the squatter (for obvious reasons) and the transformer - starts in a squatting position and then springs up to finish upright.
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