Two results from the winter league

Buckaneers 2, Black Cats 1

Pat, Mike and Jenny had a terrific 13-7 win in the triples, defeating Richard, Roz and Jerome.  M&J started off well in the pairs but finally succumbed to a 13-7 defeat as the rain set in.  Jerome restricted Pat to 3 points in the singles - info from Pat and Jenny.


Bloomers 3, Hubb Capps 0

The triples was a tight and even game match.  Di and Les had a comfortable win but Darren had to recover from a strong lead to put three good boules in to secure his victory at the last end -  report by Liz.

Winter League - Black Cats 1, The Hunters 2

Rain held off.

Pat, Cyril and Russ let slip a 10-0 lead in the triples.  I had one of my better games in the singles.

One point for each game won.  I like this format as a team can pick up either 3,2,1 or 0 points per match.

City of Norwich Winter League gets under way

Format - One triple followed by one pair and a single.  Points awarded for games won within a match.  No additional points awarded for a win.

Bloomers 1, Black Cats 2

Both Bressingham teams were in action against each other.  Black Cats triple of Pat,Jenny and Mike put in a controlled performance.  Les and I had a good finish to our game.  Liz and Mick rescued a point for Bloomers.

Pétanque league points system - time for a change?

Hello fellow pétanquers,

I have been doing some research on the way other regions manage their pétanque leagues. A few can produce draws while others are only interested in the aggregate points score, 59-46 for instance. While I am not necessarily a fan of these, I still think our current format of two points for a win and zero for a loss is a little one dimensional.

The only time an odd number of points may arise, is when a team have been penalised for bad conduct. However, this can be easily be adopted in any league format and very rarely occurs.

So, at the moment in our current league set up, we have two points for a win and zero for a loss. TWO possible outcomes... 2, 0. Teams on the same amount of points (which happens a lot) are sorted first by games difference then points difference.

My suggestion would be to award three points for a win, one (bonus point) for a 3-2 loss (the nearest thing to a draw) and zero for a 4-1, 5-0 loss. THREE possible outcomes... 3, 1, 0. In this format, teams are less likely to have the same number of total points (once the season gets going) and makes for a more interesting league table. Teams sharing the same points total, would be separated first by the number of WINS, then by games difference and so on.

Another way, would be to award one point for every game won within a match PLUS one additional point for a win. SIX possible outcomes... 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, 0. This system is the same as how the City of Norwich Winter League operates but with a 'bonus point' for winning the match (they do this sort of thing in the South Eastern region).

Les (from our club) suggested that we use the aggregate points tally during a match instead of wins. Many possible outcomes and big point totals!

Cyril (also from Bressingham) had the idea of three points for a win and one (bonus point) for an aggregate win if on the losing side. THREE possible outcomes... 3, 1, 0.

I have come across other scoring systems (some I couldn't even work out) but they get unnecessarily complicated with breakdowns on types of wins and so best be avoided.

I would be interested to hear your views.

Dave Smith @ Bressingham PC.

'Circle in the Sand' pairs event

If there was only one petanque event I could choose to play in, this would be it.  Pity it only comes round once a year though.  The weather was superb - some cloud but generally warm and dry.

Two out of the four pairs we brought along from the Bressingham club remained unbeaten in all five rounds - Les/Diane (finishing 4th) and Myself/Cyril (2nd), although that did include an imaginary win (bye) for us.  I'm sure Liz/Mick and Darren/Luke had their highlights too (funny things can happen at the beach).

Wish I had taken a camera as the large rocks that are normally submerged were on full display.  Even (what looked like) an old air-raid shelter had resurfaced.

Thank you to the Urquhart family for hosting it - a really enjoyable day out.

PS - should have said that two blokes from Norwich Diamonds won it :)

Bressingham Flyers 1, Gauloises 4

Weather - thankfully dry.

A disappointing end to the season, well beaten on the night.  Only Cyril/Darren prevented a 5-0 drubbing.  Still, a decent season overall.  Thanks to everyone that came along to support and Marie for baking those scrumptious cakes.

There is a special meeting on Tuesday October 6th at the village hall to determine whether or not Bressingham Petaque Club can continue to play evening matches.

Bressingham Flyers 3, BC Centre 2

Weather - dry I think.  Attendance - 2 (Pat and Dan's dog).

Our opponents were a player short which normally means two wins for free.  Les and Diane clinched the match with a superb win in the pairs.  So that's 8 wins from a possible 15.

Our last match of the season is against Gauloises next Thursday at home.

ASCL - Gt. Finborough 3, Bressingham 1

This was the first round of the knock out stages of the Adnams Suffolk Coastal League played at a neutral ground.  The team on the day was Pat/Russ/Liz/Mick.  Match Report by Liz.

The seeding proved correct in this match. Gt. Finningham (seeded 2) being too strong for Bressingham (seeded 15) who put up a brave fight - Russ and Liz winning their game. The opposition were deadly with their shooting which put pay to some spirited play by Bressingham.

Les Garnier 2, Bressingham Flyers 3

Weather - cool but dry.

The score card has been lost for now.  However I know that Myself, Cyril and Pat inconceivably won in three ends (6,4,3).  The other triple of Russ, Liz and Mick also won to give us a 2-0 advantage after the first round of games.  Our opponents faired much better in the pairs with two wins from three.

Bressingham Flyers 2, Norwich Diamonds 3

Weather - cool but dry.

Darren, Cyril an Pat came close in their triple but that is as good as it got.  Some success in the pairs though, with good wins for Cyril/Jenny, Dave/Pat which brought the score back from 0-3 to 2-3.

Les Garnier away next week.  We will also be playing in the Adnams Suffolk Coastal League on Sunday September 13th against Gt. Finborough.

Bressingham Flyers 3, Les Garnier 2

Weather - downpour while setting up but then fine.

A fabulous win (match report by Liz).

The triples never got off the ground, losing both. But the turn around began in the doubles.  Les and Di leading the recovery with a comfortable win.  The other two doubles were tense affairs.  Cyril and Dan winning by a single point and Mick and Pat by a better margin.  It really was a case of well done Bressingham.

BC Sports 2, Bressingham Flyers 3

Weather unknown.

Good win guys.  One more win should keep us up.

Other news - Les teamed up with Kerry and James from The Mutton at the Norfolk v Chiltern encounter played at the Bob Carter Centre.  On a very hot day, they steamrollered their way to four wins from five helping Norfolk to a 22-18 win.  Well done all.

Bressingham Flyers 1, Wanderers SF Wombats 4

Weather - nice to begin with then a few spots of rain.

Despite the loss, there were some good performances, notably Darren and Russ (from where I was standing).

League table here courtesy of Peter Astle... http://www.ncpa.webeden.co.uk/#/div-two/4549117151

Other news - four of us went along to the Aldeburgh Carnival Pairs at the weekend.  This event was organised by Simon Fletcher and it turned out to be good day all round.  Matches were played to seven ends (better than timed games any day).

After three rounds both Liz/Mick (late entry) and Myself/Les progressed into the quarter-finals winning two from three.  We then met in the semis and after a controversial first end (which was declared void) our opponents went on to win 8-1.  It got even better for them in the final as they crushed another team 13-0 in just 4 ends!  Well done team.

The Mutton 4, Bressingham Flyers 1

Weather - dry and warm

A match to forget in a hurry.  Only a dogged display from Liz and Mick in the last game prevented a 5-0 loss. We we all very impressed though with the new grandstand that had been erected.

Wombats home next week.

Old news - Les and Diane were called up to play for Norfolk the other week up at Leicester.  The home side won comfortably in the end but we are still proud of you both.

ASCL - Bressingham 4, Brandeston 0

This was the last match in the group stages.

The club had a really good result against Brandeston yesterday winning all four games.  Jenny, Mike, Russ, Mick and Liz all played their part.  Thank you to Liz for supplying me with this information.

This win means that Bressinghm qualify for the last 16 of the Adnams Suffolk Coastal League unless Crettingham Bell beat runaway leaders Gt. Finborough both home and away in their remaining two matches.    A win and a draw may also be good enough for them.

Group tables here... http://www.scpaleaguetables.appspot.com/

Plate - Yarmouth Bloaters 4, Bressingham Flyers 1

Weather - nice evening but cool

Mick came along as a spare, which proved handy as we were a player short.  Liz forgot to bring her boules along (easy done).  Luckily Les had an extra set although they were quite a bit heavier than her own.  My triple with Les and Diane lasted 1¾ hours.  An enjoyable evening even though we got beat.

Next Thursday we are away at The Mutton

Other results - ASCL apparently Bressingham beat another team 3-1 (that's all the information I have).

SF Wanderers Wildcats 2, Bressingham Flyers 3

Quite late with the post as I have been in a bit of a muddle with moving and all that stuff.  Anyway, the team 
came away with an important win.  Les supplied the scorecard.

Other results (ASCL) - Gt. Finborough 3, Bressingham 1 (only found this out by looking at Doug Benger's results page... http://www.scpaleaguetables.appspot.com/results) and Crettingham Bell 2, Bressingham 2 (according to Mick).

Extra news - our home match on Thursday 23rd was cancelled by the opposition due to illness.

Plate - Bressingham Flyers 5, Bob Carter Leisure 0

Weather - lovely evening.

This second round plate match turned out to be comfortable win in the end.  Interestingly, both my triples and pairs games finished with a six!  We will next play Yarmouth Bloaters in the quarters up at theirs.

We were sorry to hear that Mike Skillings of the Bob Carter Club had passed away only a few days earlier.

Footnote - when the visitors were due to set off, one of the ladies had an unpleasant experience when a moth flew deep into her ear.  We hope she gets it sorted.

Other news - Les and Diane finished third in the NCPA Pairs Championship at St. Faiths last week just behind Peter Astle and Derek Shoesmith.  The eventual winners were Lou D'Esposito and Daniel Shevlin.  Nice to see some of our  players doing so well.

ASCL - Bressingham 2, Parrot & Punchbowl 3

The team bowed out of the Plate competition after a dogged scrap.  Some good play from Russ and Pat brought it level at 2-2, so a deciding game had to be played, which unfortunately went to the visitors.  Players also got wet as the rain persisted for a time.

Others that played were, Les, Diane, Liz and Mick.  Scorecard may follow?

Bob Carter Centre 3, Bressingham Flyers 2 (53-46)

Weather - warm, dry then cooler.

Lindsay and I watched the triples then had to leave.  Liz/Mick/Pat led 8-1 but agonisingly lost out by one point in the end.  Darren and Dan's excellent 13-6 win in the pairs was in vain.  It was the same result as last season.  Scorecard shows Bressingham as the home team (error).

Card supplied by Darren.

Scorecard unavailable at present.  Next match is the Plate 2nd Round against Bob Carter Leisure at home.

Diss-Waveney 2, Bressingham Flyers 3 (agg 6-4)

Myself, Pat, Darren, Les, Cyril, Diane and Dan played in the return leg of this friendly match.  Some very close games.  It was Dan that provided a perfect shot at the end that won the match for us.  Strangely, only two of the Diss team were in the bar afterwards.  No scorecard.

Other news - Darren teamed up with Bob and James Urquart at the Nine Boules Triples at St. Faiths and finished in second place!  Les, Diane and Dan also played that day.

Norwich Diamonds 2, Bressingham Flyers 3

Weather - dry.  Fleeces were needed soon after the start.

Obviously home made - edited version.

The terrain was very difficult.  Pointing in within two foot was considered very good.  The match itself was a strange one.  One of our players didn't show - luckily Diane (our super-sub) was there to step in at the last moment for us.  I am still not quite sure how we won this match (much to talk about).  Good win this.

Next weeks match against Les Garnier has been postponed due to our opponents having players away.

Other news - Les,Liz and Mick finished with three wins from five in the last leg of the regional qualifiers - well done to them.

Yarmouth Bloaters 3, Bressingham Flyers 2

Weather - nice summers evening.

No points lost as it was only a friendly.

A very enjoyable match with Les notching up two wins.  One of the best terrains I have played on.  It's a shame I didn't get to play on the hilly bit.  Think I only messed up one end.  Superb food after the game.

Next match Thursday evening - Norwich Diamonds away.

Bressingham Flyers 4, BC Sports 1

Weather - Quite a nice evening but floodlights still needed near the end.  Attendance - 3.

Parity in the triples led to an interesting round in the pairs.  It was pretty even for a some time in all the games when suddenly Pat/Darren sprinted ahead to clinch victory exactly the same time as Les/Luke won theirs. Soon after, Liz/Mick made it 4-1 with some accurate pointing just when it was needed.  A really good effort all round.  Afterwards, Pete Hardy commended Luke (10) on his play and even handed out some advice.

Other news - Les teamed up with Lou (Norwich Diamonds) and Ian (Sprowston Harriers) in the Norfolk v Suffolk match on Sunday.  They helped Norfolk to a 27-21 victory with two wins against some very experienced players.

ASCL - Bressingham 1, Gt. Finborough 3

Weather - turned out nice.  Attendance 2 (and a puppy).

Russ and Pat were the only winners for us on the night.  They also had a scenario where they had to play alternately (like bowls) because of the very odd equidistant ruling.  It is a complicated rule that confuses the hell out of everybody (especially new players).  It should be, if you can't beat your opponents boule, the same team should play again until they do so - simple, none of this alternating bowls stuff.

Wanderers SF Wombats 3, Bressingham Flyers 2

Weather - nice evening

You either win or lose in this league - no draws or bonus points as in cricket or rugby.  The overall points tally is just a multiple of the wins column.  So awarding say, 57½ points for a win would make no difference.  Who is in favour of 3 points for a win and 1 for a 3-2 loss (bonus point)?  I have had mixed reviews so far.  Please leave a comment.

ASCL - Bressingham 3, Crettingham Bell 1

A much welcomed win - so 3 points from a possible 6 so far.

Last weeks result - Framsden 3, Bressingham 1 (no other official info).

Bressingham 2, The Mutton 3

Weather - rain during first half of matches and not very warm either.  Attendance - 4

Fine wins for Russ/Mike/Jenny in the triples and Mike/Jenny again in the pairs set up a thrilling decider in which Les/Diane (who were called in at the last moment) were finally overcome 13-10.  Good effort all round though.

Thank you to those that came to support and help afterwards with teas and coffees.  Also, we all wish Cyril a speedy recovery after he was admitted to hospital yesterday (now recovering but will unable to play for a while).

Scorecard got slightly wet with graffiti over it.

Gauloises 4, Bressingham Flyers 1

Weather - no wind, dry but on the cold side.

Some success in the triples (one win, one near miss), but we were blown to bits in the pairs.  Our game finished abruptly (Mike and I) when our opponents pointed in for an easy SIX (all of their boules were within six inches of the jack)!

No match next week.

Other News - Les, Mick and Liz represented Bressingham in the first APA Regional Qualifier at the Bob Carter Centre.  They came up against some sharp opposition and lost five from five, however two of their games were very close.

Bressingham Flyers 4, Wanderers SF Wildcats 1

Weather - nice evening but cooled off pretty quick.  Attendance - 2 (Diane and Darren).

Our first league match in division two this season produced a really good win.

Away to Gauloises next week.

Luke's certificate

Luke, our youngest member by miles, sent this to me way back (apologies for the delay).  Luke will be playing for us again this season during school breaks.  League matches start tonight but due to an odd number of teams in divisions 2 & 3, Bressingham Flyers get the night off.

Bressingham Flyers 0, Wanderers SF Dolphins 5

First was a friendly against Diss Waveney, the second a KO Shield 1st round match against 1st division opposition.  Both defeats I'm afraid.  We will have another chance in the KO Plate.

ASCL Brandeston 2, Bressingham 2

Honours even in our first group match of 2015.  Our hosts laid on plenty of tasty food and hot drinks.  Good weather too.  Diane and Mel came along to support.

Wins for Pat/Russ, Les/Russ (13-4).  Losses for Dave/Les, Dave/Pat.

Bloomers finish in style

Bloomers 3, The Hunters 0 (39-23)

A terrific way to finish the winter league season.  Darren (who supplied the scorecard) came back from a 10-2 deficit in the singles to defeat Paul Goodwin.  Good wins also (no pun intended) in the other two games.  Bloomers finish one point ahead of Oddballs (the division was pretty tight in the end).

Just what the doctor ordered

Winter League Divison 2

Oddballs 3, The Hunters 0 (39-30)

Pat/Cyril/Jenny won 13-11, Pat/Jenny won 13-11, Cyril won 13-8

An excellent win against the division leaders, on a glorious sunny day.  I was unwell but stayed to watch the triples team pull back from 10-3 down to win 13-11.  I was very surprised when Pat emailed me the result.
A fine way to finish the season.


The Hunted 2, Bloomers 1

Triples was won but no other info available


Adnams Suffolk Coastal League Cup 1st Round (played Saturday).

Stowmarket Oddboules 4, Bressingham 0

Defeats were 13-8, the rest 13-5 apparently.  Team was Darren/Les/Mick/Liz although I heard a rumour that Darren did not play?

Forthcoming matches and ASCL fixtures

The Suffolk Coastal League (group stage) officially commences this Sunday.

7th March - ASCL Cup 1st Round - Stowmarket Oddboules v Bressingham (brought forward)

8th March - City of Norwich Winter League - Oddballs v The Hunters, The Hunted v Bloomers

22 March - City of Norwich Winter League - Bloomers v The Hunterss, Oddballs - no game.

More results (updated)

Oddballs 1, Bob Carter Leisure 2 (played Saturday 28th February)

It was a drizzly sort of day with the visitors winning both triples and pairs.  The singles match was a bit scrappy but the luck was on my side.  Phil (my opponent) realised I hadn't put my score up on a previous end, which was very sporting of him.

We play our last winter league match next Sunday at home against The Hunters.  At the same time, Bloomers are away at The Hunted (spot the difference).


The Hunted 1, Oddballs 2 (played Saturday 21st February)

Mike /Jenny were leading 7-2 in the pairs when the game had to be stopped.  The game was awarded to Oddballs.  Pat won her singles match (think that's three wins from four for her).


Oddballs 0, Bloomers 3 (played Sunday 22nd February )

Good atmosphere and a sunny but cold morning -  the car park was full (lots of football) with plenty of mud for cars to get stuck in (it was like Wacky Races).

Myself, Pat and Cyril failed to score a point in the triples.  I messed up on the second end which led to a five for Russ' team.  We didn't recover after that.  Both pairs and singles went to 11.  Shame to come away with no points but at least one half of Bressingham won (just the wrong half).  Les played a brilliant shot at the end of my match with him to win it.  Congratulations also to Russ, Darren, Liz and Mick on their victory.  Was nice to see Diane out and about again as she has not been well.

Results catch up

8th Feb
Bloomers 1, G2 2

15th Feb
Oddballs 1, Elmham Wildcats 2
Bloomers 2, Elmham Wildcats 1

NCPA news - new team

Darren and Luke attended the NCPA presentation evening the other night to collect our Division 3 Runner-up trophies (pic to follow).  Les, Russ and Cyril can have theirs when I see them next.

The fixtures and cup draw have had to be done again due to a late entry by The Huntsman.  This also means that Yarmouth Bloaters and Bob Carter Sports get promotion from divisions two and three respectively, boosting division one to ten teams instead of nine.

Suffolk Coastal League 2015 - hot off the press

Cup 1st round - Bressingham have been drawn against Stowmarket Oddboules.

League (Central West) - Framsden, Crettingham, Brandeston, Finborough and ourselves.

The league officially starts on March 8th but because of our winter league commitments, we may have to either move a couple of the matches to later on in the season, or perhaps play midweek under floodlights (if at home).

Away day blues

Oddballs continued their consistent run of away defeats with another 2-1 loss at the hands of BC Leisure. Bloomers (who were on straight after us), didn't fair any better.  Nice to see Les playing again though.

Bob Carter Leisure 2, Oddballs 1

Dave/Lindsay/Daniel lost 13-4, Lindsay/Daniel lost 13-10, Dave won 13-11

Bob Carter Leisure 3, Bloomers 0

No info available.

Bonus point for Oddballs

G2 2, Oddballs 1 (32-20)

Ground was a little hard in places to begin with (frost overnight) but soon thawed out leaving a nice playing surface.  Free coffee, teas and biscuits after the match.

Dave/Pat/Lindsay lost 13-4, Dave/Lindsay won 13-8, Pat lost 13-3.

Old news - last Sunday, Darren (Bressingham) teamed up with Aaron ( Bardwell) and Lou (Norwich) in a charity triples competition at British Sugar.  They finished in a very commendable 5th place out of 14.  This was the first time they had ever played together.

City of Norwich Winter League update

Elmham Wildcats 2, Bloomers 1 (33-33)

Bloomers were in action today at the Abbey ruins.  Russ/Mick/Liz won 13-7, Mick/Liz lost 13-9, Russ lost 13-11.  A point for every game won, so they are now level with Oddballs but have played one match extra.

Other news - Bressingham will be entering one team in both the Norfolk and Norwich and Suffolk Coastal leagues this season.

Mixed fortunes in winter league

Bloomers 3, Bob Carter Leisure 0 (39-18)

Elmham Wildcats 2, Oddballs 1 (37-27)

Excellent win for Bloomers against a team who hadn't lost before today.  Russ/Mick/Liz won 13-4, Mick/Liz won 13-8, Russ won 13-6.

Pat pulled off another singles win to secure a point for Oddballs.  Pat/Mike/Jenny lost 13-9, Mike/Jenny lost 13-5, Pat won 13-11.