Arundel Pétanque Club hosts winter doubles competition

It is an open competition, so not limited to club members but open to players from far and wide.

A full house of 32 teams included players from not just around the Home Counties but from as far afield as Coventry, Cardiff and Abergavenny.

This particular competition, one of three which the club host every year, is especially popular giving the opportunity it provides to burn off a few Christmas calories in the fresh air.

Phil Bradshaw from Cardiff, with his playing partner who’d travelled from Abergavenny, said: “I come to a lot of competitions most weekends in the south of England, but I never miss this one for its friendly vibe and strength of competition.”

John Geddes from Coventry said: “It’s a no-brainer for me. I bring the family (his two daughters Jane and Amy have both represented England abroad as juniors) and we stay with my parents – who are also Arundel players – in Felpham over Christmas and then we all play in the competition.”

Petanque competitions generally consist of three morning games against opponents drawn at random, with the scores determining who goes into which knockout (gold, silver, bronze and spoon).

Cash prizes and trophies are awarded to the winners, who this year included the Welsh contingent as well as several Arundel players.

If you are interested in finding out more about pétanque, look up the club’s website and Facebook page – just look for Arundel Petanque Club