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Calendar
Trip to Aix-En-Provence May 26th to June 1
Mixed Doubles May 12th
Bath Open August 18th
Inter-Regional Championships Sept 14th & 15th
Trip To Guernsay Sep 20th to 23rd
Braunschweig (possibly October)
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Greetings!
 Still no sign of warm weather, but everyone is keen to get out on the piste anyway. Congratulations to the Club's Brunel squad on their first victory, hopefully one of many.
I made it to the Club practice night this week, and was really impressed with the skills training that Cary had organised. Everyone was really enjoying the different tasks, and I'm sure the improved level of playing will show in future games and matches.
Only 6 weeks to go before some of us set off for France. Unfortunately Don & Thelma can no longer join us, and we all hope that Don's health improves with treatment.
I have recently started a Twitter account for the Club, and will tweet about all things petanque related. We already have 3 followers, 2 in Bath and 1 in New Zealand. We're on the map!
To follow, go to Twitter.com and search for @boulesBath
I hope to see you all at the start of season melee on 29th.
Lesley
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Brunel league
By Don Grimes
Starting our first ever Brunel game at the Alice Park Piste we were paired up against the newest entrant to the Brunel League, Bath Grand Cru. Grand Cru, comprising of a number of ex City of Bath Petanque Club members were expected to
provide a tough challenge for the club and indeed the game proved to be a good learning experience for some of the newer members of the squad. In the end the club exceeded expectations, prevailing over our guests, winning by 5 games to 2.
Terry Basson, our newest squad member has kindly included his first impressions of playing for the Brunel Team. See his article below.
The fixture list will be on the Bath and GWR websites but dates may change and all players updated up to 4 matches ahead.
If you would like to play in the Brunel team but are unable to make practice sessions which are held weekly at Alexandra Park please let Don know by email at don@bathboules.co.uk or call 07973342349
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My First Brunel Match
By Terry Basson
I found myself singing loudly in the shower this morning when my neighbour shouted that he thought I had won the Lottery. I examined my tuneful moment during my wet shave , looking deeply at my reflection I asked myself, " What has made you so bonny this morning lad?" Then It hit me in the face like a flying custard tart when I realised it was the Sunday Match experience yesterday over at Alice Park!
The Godfather "The Don" had asked me to be a reserve player. I arrived promptly and observed all the double matches from the touchline. Thinking my Boules day was over , I was about to head towards the 'Bladud's Head' when Helga said,
"It not over yet Terry!" The Don then asked me to warm up and prepare myself to play in the triples!
"This is scary stuff", I muttered loud enough for Mark to ask me, if I was OK.
I told him that I thought that from what I had seen of the standard of play this morning, I should be home carving the roast.
Mark remarked that, the Brunel League players are among the best the region has.
I rolled myself a 'spliff' and grabbed my Boules which I found a little warmer than the day we played at Exeter!
Along with two splendid players from the City of Bath Petanque Club, I put my head down and with a little prayer, which I uttered under my breath, as it was the Lord's day, I cast my first point towards the Little Pig. I remained in complete awe of the standard of tactical play.
Then after two matches whilst I was concentrating so hard on my own play, I discovered that I had completely missed the fact and had to be informed that we had won our two Triples against those I was quietly admiring!
Hold on a "mo", whilst I break into another song to annoy my neighbours!
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Aix-En-Provence Trip
May 26th to June 1st 2013
By Lesley Hall
The plans for the tour are now well under way and anyone still interested in joining should let Lesley know. As air fares are more expensive now, many of us are travelling by train this time - we'll report back how it goes! Whether you're going or not, do try and catch the exhibition of paintings of Aix by a group of Bath artists who visited the city last year. It runs until 28th April at Ben Hughes Fine Art, The Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place: Aix exhibition
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Thursday League
By Chris McGinn (League Secretary)
The league will commence in Thursday 9 May. To date 17 Teams have indicated that they wish to partake. Particular mention must go to the Northey Arms, Box, who have made a wonderful commitment by entering 4 teams. This is two more than last season and indicates what can be done, when Teams make a real effort, to develop.
The ideal number of entrants is 18. If any teams wish to enter a second team, please contact the Secretary, Chris McGinn. It would also help, if we contact friends and acquaintances, who may be able to suggest a team or encourage others to join in.
The Committee will decide the exact format after 20 April, when we know precisely how many teams are entering. Towards the end of April, a copy of the updated rules and a fixture list will be sent out to team captains, who should copy their team members. At that time, instructions will also be given as to how to relay the results to the results compiler.
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Club Events
Club Mêlée
The season opener, a mêlée in Queen Square on Saturday April 27th 2013. Please arrive at 1.45 p.m. for registration prior to starting at 2.00 p.m. finishing at approximately 5.00 p.m. £3 per entry with a prize of £20 to the winner. Please invite friends and family as this will be an open event. We play 4 rounds each with players drawn with different members in each round, great fun and a good way of meeting more of the club members. No need to register just turn up on time to play. Give Don a ring if you have any queries.
Singles Competition.
Please register for the Peter Bale Cup singles championship which will run through May, June and July. You will be drawn against other players from the club and accumulate points. You can make your own arrangements to play or do so Mondays and Wednesdays during the regular club meets. Singles is a great leveller and a good way to improve your pointing game especially. Register by Emailing Don at don@bathboules.co.uk giving your telephone number or let him know when you see him.
Skills Competitions
The Club has started a regular weekly event on Monday nights measuring 6 skills, throwing the jack, pointing a boule, lobbing into a confined space, promoting a boule, landing on a beer mat and shooting a boule out of a circle. Each player has 10 throws with each discipline and scores points depending on how successful they have with each throw. Over a period of ten weeks each player will be competing against themselves as well as other club members. At the end of the season there will be a variety of recognitions based on the most improved overall player, the player who has improved the most in each discipline and an overall skills cup for the player who has consistently demonstrated their skills in all disciplines.
Please come along and try out your skills.
The club has also recognised that these skills are key to improving each persons game and ensuring that these translate in to the competitiveness of the clubs teams and ultimately we hope, the performance of the regional teams.
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