113th Post: Triples Delight

 

TRIPLES COMPETITION:

Ciaran organised a most successful, inaugural TRIPLES competition for Wednesday 28th Dec. 2022.    [ table and brackets etc. courtesy of Ciaran ]

The weather gods looked kindly on the occasion and the little rainfall didn't disrupt proceedings.  Twenty seven players across the groups enjoyed the day.  Ciaran himself was supernumerary [love that word!] and took on the administrative role for the day.  I'm sure he would have loved to play but his magnificent contribution must be acknowledged.  Thank you from all of us!

Despite just having just two boules each players were so immersed that the old bug bear was forgotten in the heat of battle.  Ciaran had created the teams in advance and despite having more teams than the four pistes could cater for, we played from 10:30 to 12:30 in the morning and returned for the knockout phase in the afternoon. These time-limited games [27 mins!!] proved to be enthralling crowd pleasers despite the lowered temperatures and rising wind chill.  

The final pitted a mix of Group 2 and Group 1 players on both teams, including Mary Grehan who has only recently taken up the game.  She was a fellow member of the winning trio of Team 1 that included Nigel O'Mahony and Gerry Lloyd.   Team 2 consisting of Tom Donnellan, Ann Wilson and Fran Doyle were close runners-up.  

Here are a few pics to remind all of the fun day......[ check out Larry's Balletic Crutch Launch !]

Group A Monday Singles Competition:

Congratulations to Sean Jenkins the winner of Group A Monday Singles Competition.  The weather cause a slight foreshortening of this 4th Quarter competition but Sean was the worthy leader at the time.  We will have photos of the presentation to Sean on the next blog.

Interestingly covid has been the big winner thus far......

but the following inscriptions have to be engraved yet:  

2021:  Ciaran Walsh, Ciaran Walsh.  

2022: Michael Dolan, Chris Grehan, Tom Buckley and Sean Jenkins.

Rules:

We had a discussion regarding.... who plays next  if boules are equidistant from the 'Jack'?  Nigel was correct in stating, as per rule below, that the last team playing, if both teams have boules left, plays again before the 'alternating' system applies.

This should clarify the situation.  Though' in our 'timed games', and in order not to waste time in multi measuring we play the alternate player method, as above, however, in 'formal competition' the equidistant rule would follow a measurement!

Also, at our last committee meeting we agreed the 'local rule' that the 'Jack' should be at least 25 cm. from the side  boundary after initial throw or placement.

Feet must be inside the ring for your throw.  Feet on the ring is not permissible.  We have been lax in that regard but if you were to play elsewhere you would be challenged, if not penalised.

Malahide Boules:

We have supported the set-up of a Boules Group on the new Pistes in Malahide Park.  We hope to invite the caucus of their organising committee to play here in Alden Park in early January, probably on a  Group A Wednesday morning slot to show them how we operate and chat while playing regarding rules, methods of play, team organisation etc.  

The intention is that when they have their core group and WhatsApp established that they can run proceedings there themselves.  

Forward Planning:

We will be collecting  a minor fee of  5 Euro in January, from all players, to cover maintenance and expenses for 2023.  The fee for 2022 covered 6 bottles of wine for the Bastille Day event; new rake; permanent markers; engraving on  trophies; prize for Triples etc.

Entry fees to any competitions will be collected separately as not every player will participate to  cover the prizes for that event.. 

Ciaran hopes to run the Friday Night Social Boules again in 2023 as it was very enjoyable and successful.

We have advertised in some Bayside Square shops and on the Bayside Facebook for potential new members.

As we have improved as players more individuals may be inclined to try their luck in Open Competitions elsewhere.  Contact Tom or Ciaran, if interested in Irish Petanque Association events.

Your committee have discussed requesting Fingal to install a couple of more Pistes which would allow us to play in bigger groups as with yesterday's Triples; hold day competitions; invite other boules group to play with/against us; permit the school to use it for whole class play rather than just special classes, as previously etc.  They may / may not look favourably on a request but we will submit a proposal and, if successful, liaise with local residents.  The lack of toilet facilities are restrictive but a temporary installation might be possible for an 'Event'.

At present we are linked with Bayside Community Association for insurance cover and minor funding.  A council official, who will meet with us in January, has suggested we might have synergies with Bayside Indoor Bowling who have an existing profile with Fingal for funding etc.  We will see what emerges from that conversation as to whether we remain as we are; ally with Bayside Bowling or become a formal Club and apply for formal status, with all its implications, with Fingal Public Participation Network.

We hope to have three not four Matchplay competitions in 2023.  One single and two doubles competitions.  If you know you will be missing for a period during the proposed timeframes, that will be advertised, please don't enter as it makes the administration much more awkward.  The committee will support Ciaran in the running of the competition.

Please keep Matchplay Communication App free of all un-necessary comment or jokes [ no matter how funny!] as they clutter the App and reduce its efficiency.

Solstice Support:

Tom D wants to acknowledge and thank BBC members who helped out with the recent Solstice Standing Stone Lighting-Up event in the Alden Park.  It was low key but successful and enjoyable.