The WINNING Cross Sound Team from Edmonds Petanque
Front Row: Tu Hoang, Mari Dever, La Singkeo, Keogh Singkeo
Back Row: David Rockwell, Margaret Evans, Greg Conyers, Joan Poor, David Sundquist, Wendy Chaffee, Bill Laprade, Paul Dever, and Cris Dreher
Saturday, September 20, dawned bright and clear without a hint of the drama about to unfold at the petanque courts in Edmonds. By that afternoon, after five rounds of competition, the Edmonds Petanque Club team embraced the Cross Sound Trophy that they had won decisively from the Port Townsend Petanque Alliance. FINAL SCORE: Edmonds Petanque 14 — Port Townsend 9.
The outcome of Saturday’s Cross Sound match was not secure until the end of the fourth round, the second flight of singles matches, in which Edmonds pulled away from the competition and then went on to dominate their Port Townsend opponents in the pointing and shooting contest that followed.
ROUND ONE — TRIPLES
The Edmonds team had prepared assiduously under the guidance and encouragement of Captain Paul Dever. The team entered the day’s competition full of confidence as they began four 75-minute triples matches at 9:00 am. The results reflected the team’s preparation, ability, and confidence. Edmonds won three of the four triples games. SCORE: Edmonds 3 — Port Townsend 1.
ROUND TWO — DOUBLES
Feeling good about the outcome of the triples matches, the Edmonds players entered their 60-minute doubles games and met stiff resistance from their Port Townsend competitors. Edmonds is fully aware of the talent and experience of the Port Townsend club. The two sides fought to a draw in Round Two, with each team securing three team points from the six team points that were available. SCORE: Edmonds 6 — Port Townsend 4.
The two sides then spent a friendly and relaxed lunch hour under the shade pavilion while the Oktoberfest oompah music began to fill the air. Oktoberfest and Cross Sound proved to be congenial neighbors, and the Edmonds club expects at least one lederhosen enthusiast to take up boules in the near future. But after lunch, the competition resumed. The Cross Sound Cup was there to be had by the team who performed better in the afternoon. Edmonds players knew what they needed to do.
ROUND THREE/PART ONE: SINGLES
The 12 singles matches were divided into two flights. At 12:30 competition resumed as individuals playing three boules met their counterparts from the other side in timed matches of 45 minutes. Edmonds lost two of the six matches by tight 12-13 scores; but fortunately other players prevailed, and the two teams split the first round of singles three to three. SCORE: Edmonds 9 — Port Townsend 7.
ROUND THREE/PART TWO: SINGLES
Heading into the second flight of singles matches, one thing was clear. Edmonds held the lead; but if Port Townsend won four of the remaining six matches, the Cup would be decided in the pointing and shooting contest that would serve as a tie-breaker. The Edmonds players were determined to secure the Cup then and there, and they did. In the second round of singles matches, Edmonds took four of the six games and knew they had accomplished their goal. The Cross Sound Cup will reside in Edmonds this coming year. SCORE: Edmonds 13 — Port Townsend 9.
At this point, the Edmonds team knew they had succeeded in their challenge to win the Cross Sound Cup. The pointing and shooting contest proved to be evenly matched in the first round. At the end of the first round of pointing and shooting, Edmonds and Port Townsend were tied with 32 points each. At that point the target boule was placed at 8 meters, and a second round of shooting commenced. Here Port Townsend could not keep pace, as the Edmonds team pulled away with a tie-breaking shooting score of 24 to 16, earning one additional team point to the cup competition. FINAL TEAM SCORE: Edmonds 14 — Port Townsend 9.
Port Townsend players congratulated the Edmonds team on a worthy victory, and Port Townsend captain, Peter Wiant, accepted Mari Dever’s offer of a consolation pool-toy ferry ride back to the other side of the Salish Sea. The Edmonds Petanque Club ended the day proud of what they had accomplished and determined to hold the Cross Sound Cup when next year’s competition takes place in Port Townsend.
The outpouring of satisfaction and real joy in the day’s outcome was shared on WhatsApp. Several samples reveal the pride shared by all the members of the club, those who played, and those who supported the team through their preparations and games:
“I know for sure, we the EPC are all proud of our club. Thank you for all of our petanque family for friendship and kindness.” La Singkeo
“The players wanted it, and went out and got it with desire, training, and talent. Congrats to the players!” Paul Dever
“So proud of all the excellent players and everyone who worked hard to put this day together in so many wonderful ways.” Jan Pruatt
“I loved watching our team play at such a high level. Great play, great court conditions, and great coaching.” Jim Klein
“Those who enjoyed the privilege of representing our club, and the many others who cheered them on, found themselves in the midst of simply the best day in our club’s history.” David Rockwell
“My highlight was when Rick Steves walked by with his dog and told La, ‘Edmonds is counting on you.’ That happened 100%. I witnessed it but didn’t get my camera out in time.” Todd Johnson
But Ron LaRue did get his camera out. Rick is one of our strongest supporters and shared the day with the EPC.
