Sunday 21 December 2008

Merry Christmas To All

Just to wish all members of the Aldeburgh Boules Club, and any other visitors to our site, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Please keep in touch as we will be soon formulating plans for the 2009 Season of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League, with regard to the Aldeburgh clubs membership.

Saturday 4 October 2008

Aldeburgh Boules Club finish 6th overall

Our first season in the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League ended with a fourth place in the Deben Division, sixth place overall and the League Award for the best playing surface in the Deben section of the league.

A satisfactory start to our league career but we did lead the league for nearly the whole season to only slip away over the last month or so. We could have qualified for the play-offs if results had gone certain ways but it was not to be and others qualified ahead of us.

Hopefully Jimmy will put a team together for next seasons league programme and more details will follow in the next couple of months.

Thursday 14 August 2008

Exiles prove to be Aldeburghs bogey side

Sunday August 10th 2008
Deben Division of Suffolk Coastal Petanque League

Team Line-Up: Jimmy Robinson, Tina Robinson, Simon Fletcher & Lewis Fletcher

Going into this match, second place in the table, all we needed to do was to avoid defeat and hope that our greater points difference would see us through as runners up and therefore secure our play-off spot.

We were however facing the only side to have beaten us this season when we put in a woeful display at Bealings earlier in the league programme. Surely that couldnt happen again, could it?

Skipper Robinson decided to pair himself with Lewis and Simon with Tina in the first set of games. With the piste proving to be one of the divisions most difficult ones to judge, conditions made the boules roll even further than normal. Our pointing wasnt up to its usual standard and Simons shooting, for once, was well below par. And therefore it was no surprise that we were already 2-0 down at the halfway stage.

Pairing the team up with the partnerships that usually start a match, Jimmy and Tina ensured it wasnt a complete whitewash by gaining a win in their game. However everything rested on the Simon/Lewis match where at one point we found ourselves 8-0 down. Never give up was the lesson here as the Aldeburgh pairing got back to 11-10 down before succumbing to a final two points that saw the match slip into Exiles hands by 3-1.

This result leaves us in second place but an Exiles win will see them overtake us. Also 2 wins for Suivre Les Boules could also see them overtake our points tally. Therefore we could end up 4th place out of 5 teams in a division that we led for around 16 of its 20-odd week calendar!! And the reason for this possible turn of events.... the inability to beat one particular side home and away this year. We seemed to save our worst performances for these 2 matches.

Overall though, the season has been good and all members of the side have enjoyed being part of the inaugural season of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League.

Sunday 27 July 2008

Aldeburgh defeat Melton in return fixture

Deben Division of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League
Sunday July 27th 2008

Team Line-Up: Jimmy Robinson, Tina Robinson, Lewis Fletcher, Simon Fletcher

The team took to the piste earlier today in what may prove to be a crucial match at the final reckoning of the regular season. With a blazing hot sun, no sea breeze and a bone dry, rock hard piste, conditions weren't perfect but then its far better than it be freezing, wet and windy!!

The side from Melton, Ye Olde Coach & Horses were fielding a slightly different side from earlier in the season but had only managed to get a team of 3 together. In the interests of the league and fair play Aldeburgh agreed to play 2 doubles and 2 singles games to suit the away teams numbers.

Jimmy chose to pair himself with Lewis in the first pairing as they tend to play extremely well together as a doubles. And this proved to be the case running away with a 13-1 win. This left Simon to play the singles against Dave, the Melton captain, and despite a few wobbles, obtained a 13-6 victory and therefore a 2-0 scoreline at the halfway stage.

Simon then paired up with Tina in the second round leaving Lewis to face his opponent in the singles. Lewis played very well in the first half of his game leading 9-4 at one stage but then a constant pressure applied by his opponent saw the Aldeburgh junior go down 13-12. However in the remaining game the Aldeburgh pair secured a 13-6 scoreline to ease Aldeburgh over the finish line by 3 games to 1.

The teams final match (excluding any playoff match) will be at home on Sunday August 10th versus The Exiles Bealings (the only side to have beaten Aldeburgh all season).

Sunday 13 July 2008

Next Match

Sunday July 27th 2008

Aldeburgh Boules Club v Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton, at the Moot Hall 'Arena'

Proposed start time 10.30am

All spectators and interested persons welcome

Away win remains elusive

The Aldeburgh team, having not won since the 4-0 away win at Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton earlier in the season, completed their away programme earlier this morning against in-form Suivre Le Boule at Playford. Despite not securing a victory since the match at Melton, the team have, by hook or by crook, managed to maintain top spot whilst the chasing pack behind have been jostling for position.

The match started in normal fashion with Simon & Lewis pairing up in the first game and were playing some good boule and led at one point by 10-2 but then a break in concentration saw the match reach 12-11 to the home side. The next end with Aldeburgh holding one on the ground, making the game 12-12, Aldeburgh had one boule left to point in to sneak the game but with the front covered so well by Suivre that a decision was taken to take the point, making it 12-12 and try to win the next end. However despite how close we got nothing could better Suivres boule and they pinched the game 13-12.

In the other pair Jimmy & Tina couldnt get to grips with the home piste and disappointingly went down 13-1.

So halfway stage and Aldeburgh were staring down the barrel of a 2-0 deficit. Jimmy needed to split his pairings with some thought for the sevcond half of the match and he decided upon himself and Lewis as one team and Tina with Simon in the second.

Lewis & Jimmy were behind in the game until a dead coch with them holding 5 in hand saw the game go from 6-9 down to 11-9 up. This then completely changed the impetus of the match and it swung in Aldeburghs favour with the remaining points being secured to pull one game back.

It all came down to the last pair where Tina and Simon were pointing and shooting well and kept plugging away and one last good pointed boule by Tina saw the game won by the visitors and the match rescued to a 2-2 draw.

The team feel it was a bit of a lucky escape but were pleased to pull things round and still stay top of the pile for the time being.

Saturday 5 July 2008

Let us have some feedback/interaction

Whilst I'm quite happy posting 'blogs' on this website, I am not sure that you realise you can comment back on the various news articles.

If you go to the bottom right hand corner of the article, you will see a 'speech bubble' with the words Comments alongside. If you click on this, you can then respond or add to each article as the website grows.

Have a go with this one and then I can see that the message is coming through loud and clear.

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Play Away at Playford

Next Match - Sunday July 13th 2008

Suivre Les Boule Playford v Aldeburgh Boules Club

Start Time 10.30am at Playford Community Hall

We just can't beat Shepherd & Dog

Date - Tuesday 1st July 2008

Team - Jimmy, Tina, Simon, Lewis

After what has seemed like an eternity since our last match in the Deben Division, we finally managed to see some league action again thanks to Jimmy's 'running around the countryside' in a valiant effort to get to the match.

Whilst we awaited the arrival of Monsieur and Madame Robinson, the Fletcher pairing got the match underway. Early play saw us race to an 8-0 lead but two heavy ends later saw it stand at 8-7. Some gentle co-ercing of Lewis to concentrate worked wonders and after a dodgy patch, the pair settled down and eventually got a 13-10 win to put us 1-0 up.

By now the Robinson chariot had arrived and its passengers discharged to face a quick warm-up and cool drink before going straight into battle. Jimmy paired himself with Simon, leaving Lewis to partner Tina.

Jimmy and Simon had a bit of a see-saw game with the pendulum swinging one way then the other but a 'big end' and some good pointing by Jimmy saw us earn a 13-7 result. Now it was 2-0 to Aldeburgh and at least we were going to draw the match.

Meanwhile Lewis and Tina were in their own ding-dong battle finally dropping to a 13-8 defeat. Things were tight as we were now just 2-1 ahead with Tina and Jimmy as the final pairing, to face the Hollesley captain on the 'dreaded' middle piste. This proved to be our undoing, coupled with some excellent play by the home pairing, as the Robinsons were on the end of a 13-3 scoreline.

So a 2-2 scoreline was the outcome, just like our season opener against the same side. They remain unbeaten, we remain top (but for how much longer?). A victory is required soon to keep us in the running.

Excellent hospitality and as an enjoyable match as you could hope for at this level.............thank goodness we won't play them in the Play-Offs if we get that far!

Friday 13 June 2008

No action for Aldeburgh this week

Although the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League has a full set of matches scheduled for this weekend, the Aldeburgh team are the side that take their turn sitting out, in the 5 team Deben Division.

However the team take to the piste again in a fortnights time when they make the journey to face Hollesley Shepherd & Dog, which is fast looking like a possible top spot decider, however The Exiles and Suivre Les Boule may still have some say in the final outcome.

Monday 2 June 2008

The day the wheels fell off!!

Whilst winning is a nice feeling, losing is a bad one, especially when you know you didn't play well. Such was the case on Sunday when the Aldeburgh team, who despite leading the Deben Division of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League, were outplayed by The Exiles team at their new home location of Bealings.

The piste itself is 'interesting' to say the least but then again, it's the same for both sides and it was The Exiles who got to grips with it much better and faster than Aldeburgh. After Jimmy & Tina had lost their game after being in the lead for the majority of the game, Simon & Lewis played poorly on the other side of the piste and at halfway Aldeburgh were already 2-0 down.

Captain Jimmy chose to pair up with Lewis, leaving Simon & Tina as the other combination and it was this pairing who at least brought the score to 2-1 but it was not enough as Jimmy/Lewis succumbed to a heavy loss, leaving The Exiles with a 3-1 win and the league points.

The next match for the team is probably Tuesday 1st July away at Hollesley Shepherd & Dog

Friday 30 May 2008

Table toppers visit Playford this weekend

This week sees the team play away against The Exiles, and although originally scheduled to be played at Melton, due to the Exiles switching home bases, the match will now be played at the Playford Community Hall.

The match is on Sunday 1st June with an approximate start of 10.30am.

Expected line-up: Jimmy, Tina, Simon & Lewis

Monday 19 May 2008

The team earn first win away

With a few enforced team changes due to our captain having the slight distraction of becoming Mayor of Aldeburgh, the club visited the piste at Melton for the first time this season, to play the host club, Ye Olde Coach & Horses.

The team started off with wins in both of the opening games to open up a 2-0 lead early on. The piste gives the impression that it is reasonably level but once playing on it, it became apparent that the slight slope to the bottom corner certainly makes the boule roll further than you expect. However to counter-act this, a high lob then makes your boule stop dead especially around the middle section of the piste.

Once the second set of pairings were under way, some good pointing by Aldeburgh saw the visiting team complete the job and register a 4-0 away day triumph.

On another day, the piste could quite easily make the match score somewhat different and Aldeburgh are due to visit Melton again in 2 weeks time.

Sunday 4 May 2008

Next match coming up

Deben Division
Suffolk Coastal Petanque League

Match 3

Sunday May 18th 2008

Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton v Aldeburgh Boules Club

Our first official away match sees us try out the new piste in Melton where Chris & Veronica will make us very welcome at their 16th Century coaching inn, whilst we face David's team on the field of play.

Aldeburgh register league victory


Aldeburgh played host to Suivre Les Boules Playford on Sunday May 4th and registered our first win in the Deben Division of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League.


Team Line Up: Jimmy Robinson (Captain), Tina Robinson, Simon Fletcher, Lewis Fletcher


Under glorious skies (surely wasnt a Bank Holiday weekend was it?), the team converged at the Moot Hall piste for a 10.30am start against fellow unbeaten opponents from the Playford club.


Whilst the team welcomed Jimmy & Tina for the first time this season, Suivres team saw 2 changes from the side that had earnt a 2-2 draw against The Exiles last weekend.


With a gathering audience the match started with Jimmy & Tina on the 'seaboard' piste whilst Simon & Lewis were on the 'roadside' piste. In two games that were equally tense the progression of the games were markedly different.


Simon & Lewis were playing Suivres captain Joy and his team-mate Jimmy and the game swung backwards and forwards with each team seemingly taking turns to be in the lead and then letting the opponents leap frog them on the scoreboard on the following end. However when Suivre took a 9-8 lead, things looked shaky for the home team. However Lewis played all 3 of his boule in and Simon followed with 2 more to take a big five a secure the first game 13-9.


Jimmy & Tinas game looked like it was going to finish quite quickly when they raced to a sizable early lead, only to then get stuck on 12 points and from there Playford kept plugging away until the score was 12-11 and finally Aldeburgh nicked a point to prevent the 'come from behind' win.


So at the halfway point Aldeburgh were 2 -0 up in games and therefore the minimum result was going to be a draw. However in this league with so few matches to play this year, you need wins rather than draws to finish in the top two.


Jimmy paired himself with Lewis and they faced Jimmy & Hans on Piste One. With Lewis' pointing being more accurate than in his first match, he turned in a display which allowed him & Jimmy to earn a 13-7 win and the overall match win for Aldeburgh.


Meanwhile Tina & Simon were having a harder time of it on Piste Two with a piste that was running so fast that it was difficult to point accurately enough. However Suivres team managed it better and deserved their 13-9 moment of glory over the home side.


A 3-1 win, 2 league points and we now sit at the top of the league table for a while (depending upon Hollesleys Tuesday night match v Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton).


Player of the Match - Lewis Fletcher 2 wins out of 2 (+10 points difference)


Tuesday 29 April 2008

Sunday May 4th v Suivre Les Boule Playford

Our next match in the Deben Division of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League is this Sunday, May 4th, at home to Suivre Les Boule Playford, starting at approximately 10.30am.

We will be using the Mill Inn this time around for our pre and post match refreshments.

Team Line Up (Currently) : Jimmy Robinson (Captain), Tina Robinson, Simon Fletcher, Lewis Fletcher

All spectators are welcome to cheer the teams on.

Sunday 20 April 2008

League season starts with a draw

2008 Suffolk Coastal Petanque League - Deben Division
Sunday 20th April at home versus Hollesley Shepherd & Dog

Team: Simon Fletcher, Lewis Fletcher, Roger Baxter, Richard Newman

The team started the new league season Sunday morning with a home match against Hollesley Shepherd & Dog, and whilst the mist cleared over the duration of the mornings match, to reveal clear blue skies and the welcome appearance of the sun, Aldeburgh put in a good showing in their opening league fixture.

With unavailability keeping Jimmy & Tina Robinson out of the team, vice captain Simon paired himself with Lewis whilst Roger and Richard formed the other opening pair. In the early stages of Simons game, Aldeburgh found themselves 7-1 down after 5 ends but with Simon taking over the pointing from Lewis saw the Aldeburgh pair pull it around to finish with a 13-8 win to put Aldeburgh 1-0 up in the match.
In the other game Roger & Richard had stormed to a 12-3 lead but then the Hollesley pair staged an amazing comeback to sneak the vital point to win 13-12 and make the match score 1-1 overall at that stage.

Under League rules no pair can be paired up again so this time Simon combined with Roger whilst Richard and Lewis formed the other double. Good pointing by Roger gave Aldeburgh the upper hand for most of the game and finally secured a 13-4 win, making it 2-1 to Aldeburgh and therefore the final game was to be the decider between drawing or winning.

The Hollesley captain was proving to be a difficult opponent and near the end of the game the visitors lead 12-9, then Aldeburgh pulled 2 back to make it 11-12. Everything rested probably on the next end and whilst Aldeburgh had some decent boules close, Hollesley just had one better and resulted in a 13-11 victory for the Shepherd & Dog.

So overall a 2-2 draw which isnt a bad result but Aldeburgh scored 49 points out of the possible maximum of 52, so three more points would have seen a 4-0 home win rather than honours even.

Great credit must be given to Hollesley who hadnt played anywhere else other than their own car park but despite them not knowing what to expect, they put up a terrific fight in their first match and deserved the draw on the day.

Next match Sunday May 4th at home to Suivre Les Boule Playford

Saturday 19 April 2008

Sunday April 20th v Hollesley Shepherd & Dog

The Aldeburgh Boules Club will be playing their first match in the Deben Division of the 2008 Suffolk Coastal Petanque League this Sunday 20th April, against Hollesley Shepherd & Dog.

The team of Simon, Lewis, Roger & Caron will take to the piste, just by the Moot Hall, in front of the White Lion Hotel, for a 10.30am start.

All spectators and supporters would be very welcome to cheer the team along in their opening match.

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Aldeburgh's Fixtures

Aldeburgh Boules Club have the following fixtures in the Deben Division of the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League for the 2008 season

  • Sunday April 20th - Home versus Hollesley Shepherd & Dog
  • Sunday May 4th - Home versus Suivre Les Boules Playford
  • Sunday May 18th - Away versus Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton
  • Sunday June 1st - Away versus The Exiles (also at Coach & Horses Melton)
  • Sunday June 29th - Away versus Hollesley Shepherd & Dog
  • Sunday July 13th - Away versus Suivre Les Boules Playford
  • Sunday July 27th - Home versus Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton
  • Sunday August 10th - Home versus The Exiles Melton
  • Sunday September 14th - League Play Off Final (if Aldeburgh qualify)

Please feel free to come along and support the team and join in with a few after match drinks etc.

Matches may be subject to re-arrangement so please visit this site frequently to get the latest news.

Sunday 30 March 2008

Coastal League debut

The Aldeburgh Boules Club make their debut in the Suffolk Coastal Petanque League with a Deben Division match versus Hollesley Shepherd & Dog, to be held on Sunday April 20th 2008, at the Moot Hall piste.

All spectators and supporters are welcome.

Keep refering back to this website for updated match details nearer the time.

Aldeburgh becomes a founder member

Aldeburgh Boules Club became one of 9 founder members of the newly formed Suffolk Coastal Petanque League at the Leagues Registration Night held on Friday March 28th.

Along with 8 other teams, they can now look forward to organised league matches on this side of the County for the first time in 8 years, since the previous East Suffolk Petanque League folded in 2000.

Taking up their position in the Deben Division, which covers the 5 southerly teams within this years league entry, they will enjoy trips to Melton (twice), Playford and Hollesley as well as welcoming these same teams to the Moot Hall piste.

A top spot finish in the division will see a September play-off versus the Blyth Division winners (covering the 4 northerly teams).

Keep checking the site for Aldeburghs fixtures, results and progress.

Aldeburgh Boules Club - a potted history

Over 2006 the Aldeburgh Town Council paid for the construction of a petanque piste parallel to the seafront, just along from the Moot Hall. Located in front of the White Lion Hotel, it was sufficiently wide enough to host one match at a time and in the same year the Aldeburgh Carnival saw the debut of the Open Tournament as part of the Carnival festivities.

Due to tight time schedules only 8 pairs could play in that event but the final was witnessed by over 150 spectators packed tightly around the piste.

Under the consultation of members of the Suffolk County Petanque Association, the Town Council were recommended to widen theb piste by around 2 feet. This would then allow 2 games to be played simultaneously.

In 2007 this recommendation was taken on board and the piste was increased in time for the Carnival. Twice as big piste allowed twice the entry and this time, by a pre-registering 16 pairs battled it out for the top prize.

As the general petanque use had created interest within the town, a regular core of players met every week to socialise and throw a few boule.

Thanks to contacts elsewhere the Aldeburgh players formed into a team near the end of 2007 and welcomed current County champions, Meadlands Stowmarket, to the Moot Hall piste for an end of season friendly match. Despite the 5-1 scoreline to the more experienced Stowmarket team, many lessons were learned and friendships forged.

Onto 2008.............