Summer 2021 — Week One
The Summer Pétanque League was back in full swing at the Carreau Club this week and we couldn’t be happier to be back on the courts tossing some boules. We are so psyched to see so many familiar faces back from the Spring League and double pumped to have an amazing group of new players. There is definitely some serious talent in the league these days and we can’t wait for all the solid summertime hangs and epic matches ahead.
Things got off to a sweltering start on Monday as our rookie league assembled for the first time. It was all smiles for the first hour as the new members got to know each other over some pizza and beer, and began some intra-squad scrimmages. Almost immediately, it was clear that there was some serious natural talent on the courts — this is quite possibly the most talented field of rookies we’ve seen at the league so far.
In the first of our competitive matches, things got off to a fast start for Big Boule Energy who went undefeated for the evening, posting a 3-0-1 record on the strength of some solid pointing from rookies Evyn and Steph, each 2-0 for the evening. Garrison likewise put forth a 2-0 performance and is carrying a little extra swag since earning a spot on the trophy in the Spring League.
The Incrediboules couldn’t seem to get things to click on night one despite a scrappy showing from Anna, Will, and Rachel to come back in the late rounds to steal a tie and prevent a sweep for the night. But, there is a long way to go this season and, as always, the difference will not depend on raw ability but on whether the new players are able to build upon that talent, develop, and improve into consistent pointing and shooting pétanque machines. While this evening’s victors were laughing over a drink and congratulating themselves on what appeared to be a foregone conclusion, their rivals, undeterred, remained on the courts for over an hour, practicing and quietly plotting their revenge. Will they even the score next week? Only time will tell…
MONDAY WEEK ONE RESULTS
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If you thought it was hot on Monday…man, Tuesday was no joke! But the heat and humidity couldn’t dissuade the pétanque faithful from reuniting to continue the friendships and rivalries we built in the Spring Season. We couldn’t be more thrilled to see each of the four teams from Spring back in action for the summer. And, of course, with a few new players and coaches in the mix, and a little bit of shuffling, there will no doubt be some interesting narratives emerging this season. With over twenty rookies returning to the fold, all eyes will be on the “Intermedio of the Year” award. Who has what it takes to bring it to the next level in competition?
After a boatload of high-fives and some friendly intra-squad games, the Tuesday league picked up, quite literally, where it left off with a re-match of the Spring League championships. Everyone was bringing their A-game and things turned out just like you might expect from a bunch of seasoned pros with reputations on the line. No team gave up an inch and after a few rounds of play, our teams are locked in a dead heat, even-steven, neck and neck…what a way to start the season!
On courts one and two, it was a rematch and re-boot of the consolante bracket featuring the newly dubbed 2 Boules 2 Deep against the next generation Team Too. The latter got off to a hell of a start, taking both games in the first frame including a “Fanny” shutout at the hands of Ernesto and rookie sensation, Cathy. But 2B2D was 2 Legit 2 Quit and came back for a sweep of their own in the second frame and a revenge shutout from Hugue, Brendan, and rookie-not-rookie Mark.
On the other side of the courts, a new variant of Carreau-No-Virus sought to surge against Spring League Champion Panchito. Newly-minted Coach of the Year, Kasia teamed up with rookie Taylor for a decisive 11-4 victory while top-tier Intermedios Dana, Kyra, and Christina held on by a thread to take their game 11-10. The second frame brought more of the same as Kyra and Christina (I suspect you’ll be hearing a lot about these two on these pages) took a second victory lap while former League Commissioner Aaron stepped out of retirement and onto the courts with seasoned I/O Ian and rookie-to-watch Zach to deliver an 11-2 win on some tricky courts.
While it seems impossible to pick a winner in such a tough field at this early time, I can say one thing for certain. Sure as the day is long and nights are warm, the Summer League is gonna be one for the ages!
