West Yorkshire League

West Yorkshire League

Leeds v Mirfield

Tuesday 8th July was the day that Mirfield played their 10th and final game in the West Yorkshire League. We travelled to Kirkstall where Leeds PC play at their terrains to the rear of the Vesper Gates pub.

It was an extremely hot afternoon as 6 petanquers and 5 supporters from Mirfield gathered for a 2pm start.

The terrains at Leeds are challenging, to say the least. Both terrains slope in two directions and it takes a while to get used to it. So we all spent a while having a practice chuck. Anyway, the time came for play to start.

There was an awful lot riding on the outcome of this match.

Leeds were 4 game wins ahead of us. So we needed to win all 5 games in order to beat Leeds and come out as Champions. A very tall order indeed. But we gave it our best shot.

First up was the triples.

Harry, Ian and Diane were up against a Leeds trio who gave us no quarter. Indeed, the very first end saw Leeds romp away with a 6. Undaunted our trio caught back and made steady progress, slowly catching Leeds. However, Leeds were on 11 and we were on 6 when they threw a boule which unexpectedly hit the coche sending it out of play and because we had no boules left and they had two boules, they won the game. What a way to lose.

Our other triple was Kevin, Shirley and Mark were up against and even stronger trio from Leeds. There was a lot of measuring and numerous dead ends. Mirfield was ahead during the latter stage of the game within sight of a win. But Leeds came back and snatched victory away from our players.

The game lasted about one hour and twenty minutes.

So, two up to Leeds and gone was our chance of being Champions.

Undeterred, Harry tried to bolster our team members by reminding them that Heckmondwike were on the same game wins as us, so we really only needed one win to beat them.

First up was Ian and Mark who played against the stronger of the Leeds players. It wasn't long before the game ended in a convincing Leeds win.

Kevin and Shirley paired up and put up a really good fight, but the Leeds pair kept them honest and unfortunately Mirfield was pipped at the post again.

The third Mirfield pair was Harry and Diane. We were up against a Leeds pair who we knew we had beaten before at Mirfield. This gave us some confidence. Whilst our fellow players were licking their wounds, our loyal supporters in the shape of Carol S, Michael, Jen, Carol G and Liz were there cheering and willing us to win.

The start of the game was evenly matched. Harry managed to shoot a few of the Leeds boules and Diane kept pointing up some close coche first boules, which gave their shooter lots of opportunity, but little success.

Half way through the game, Harry kept reminding Diane that every boule needed to count if we were to win this game and beat Heckmondwike.

The final end had Leeds on point with their last boule and Diane had a close 2nd and 3rd boule. We were on 11. Harry took his time to aim, knowing that this one shot could win the game.

Fortunately, Harry’s boule struck the Leeds front boule and cleared it away, leaving Diane's two boules to take the game 13-6.

We were now in 2nd place in the league table behind Leeds, but ahead of Heckmondwike. We now have to wait for the result of the game between Harrogate v Wetherby (who play this Thursday). If Wetherby win 3-2, they will be the same game wins as us, but have a better points ratio and would therefore jump into 2nd place, leaving us in 3rd place.

This has been our best league result ever.

Thanks to all members who took part and played their best.

Thanks also to our growing band of supporters both home and away. Your support and encouragement really is appreciated

Harry Overend