Throughout the rain and cold of this unusual spring, the Edmonds Petanque Club continued to meet in sharp petanque competition and recently concluded its 2022 League season. This year 12 teams contended for the Chris Guitton Trophy honoring the year’s best doubles team during a six-week round-robin schedule of matches. Winners of the League competition were Philippe Geraud and Bill Laprade. Michelle Martin and Jack McHenry finished in second position. Jim Klein and Ro Verdeja came in third. While Geraud and Laprade commanded a strong lead to win the competition, only half a point separated the second and third place teams in one of the tightest outcomes in the history of the Guitton cup.

Then, on Saturday, June 11, during a rare break from the rain and cold, the 12 teams also played a one-day elimination tournament to cap the season. This year’s one-day tournament was held at Sierra Park in Edmonds due to the on-going construction at the Civic Playfield. In a surprise finish, the duo of Jacques Maussenet and David Rockwell, who had not fared as well in the longer cup competition, prevailed on the sloping terrain of the Sierra Park softball infield (pitcher’s mound and home plate included). Maussenet and Rockwell defeated Michelle Martin and Jack McHenry in the day’s final match. Mari and Paul Dever came in third. In spite of the weather, it has been a spirited spring of petanque. All in the club look forward to the completion of the Civic Playfield, featuring the new Petanque Grove, which is slated for completion in January 2023.