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.............