Saturday 16 July saw 24 teams as starters for the Petanque Festival Competition held at The Friendly Inn. The day opened with Ivan on the didgeridoo, before Jamie Salkeld, President of the Kangaroo Valley Petanque Club introduced Shoalhaven Elder, Sonny Simms, who warmly Welcomed All To Country, followed by Michael who performed the Smoking Ceremony as a blessing and bringing all present together.
A friendly atmosphere – although some underlying currents of “we’re here to play to win” – pervaded, and teams were decked out in costumes befitting the occasion, which ensured five fun and competitive rounds to whittle down the teams to the quarter finals, where eight teams battled it out for a place in the semis.
Both ‘KV Green’ and ‘KV Gold’ got through, along with the reigning champions, the ‘Wollongong Whales’ and newcomers ‘The Internationals’. All teams had many Kangaroo Valley residents amongst them, so both neighbourly camaraderie and rivalry was at a premium.
Both ‘KV Green’ and ‘KV Gold’ fell at the final hurdle, allowing the in-form ‘Wollongong Whales’, led by Simon Shine, to take on ‘The Internationals’, captained by Dave Kent.
And here it got interesting – a competition worthy of David versus Goliath, and the games began.
‘The Internationals’, coached by the great man himself, Dave Kent, bringing his knowledge of the finer points of this just over a century-old game, to his progressive 21st century team – mixed sex, first time players, country and city folk, came out of the barricade with the speed of a Revolutionnaire musket bullet, “la premiere mène” and the game was on.
Boule after boule traversed its way down the court, each vying for the close proximity and warmth of the cochonnet, ‘The Internationals’ taking a very early lead.
The ‘Wollongong Whales’ rallied, berets firmly fixed, grey shirts loosened, and dressing gowns tied tightly, a mighty shot by Simon Shine to wild cheers from his supporters. Back and forth, some good shots played, the skills of the pointeurs and tireurs coming to the fore… until the final siren sounded, last boules were thrown, and the competition was at an end. Final score 12-4.
Worthy winners: ‘The Internationals’!
