Busy period for the 3 Horseshoes North Cove

August will prove to be a very busy time indeed in the Blyth Division for North Cove Three Horseshoes. With two matches scheduled anyway, two further matches from earlier postponements sees them play 4 matches in a 21 day period.

Whilst this is not how we usually operate as matches are spread out more evenly, a combination of factors has led to this and Darryl will lead his troops into battle eager to make advances up the Blyth table.

Watch this space for their progress...

Hollesley secure play-off berth

The Hollesley Shepherd & Dog were celebrating on Sunday following their 3-1 away victory at The Exiles Bealings piste. This triumph took them back to the top of the table with 11 points from an unbeaten run of 4 wins and 3 draws in their 7 matches to date.

By beating the home side it means that both The Exiles and Suivre Les Boules Playford can both only finish with a possible maximum of 10 points and as Ye olde Coach & Horses are still awaiting their first league points as yet, Hollesley are now guaranteed at least runners-up spot in the Deben Division.

The only team that can stop them from clinching the divisional title is Aldeburgh, who need to win their last match and hope that Suivre can beat Hollesley on the Playford piste. Alternatively, 4 points for The Exiles in their remaining two matches including if they beat Aldeburgh could see them pinch second place. Suivre themselves could snatch runners-up spot by an even more complicated set of results.........all to play for.

Into the final stretch - Matches for August

Whilst we await the result from The Exiles Bealings v Hollesley Shepherd & Dog match played on Sunday July 27th, we have now reached the final 10 matches of the season.

As a reminder for everyone, we list out the latest known dates of these matches as follows;

Blyth Division

August 3rd - 3 Horseshoes North Cove v Bell Inn Walberswick and Hoxne PC v Harbour Inn Southwold

August 10th - 3 Horseshoes North Cove v Harbour Inn Southwold

August 14th - Bell Inn Walberswick v 3 Horseshoes North Cove

August 24th - Bell Inn Walberswick v Hoxne PC and Harbour Inn Southwold v 3 Horseshoes North Cove


Deben Division

August 10th - Aldeburgh Boules Club v The Exiles Bealings and Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton v Suivre Les Boules Playford

August 24th - Suivre Les Boules Playford v Hollesley Shepherd & Dog and Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton v The Exiles Bealings

If the dates are any different to those listed above, please inform us as soon as possible.

Aldeburgh reclaim pole position...temporarily?

The Deben Division match earlier today between Aldeburgh Boules Club and Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton took place in the blistering seaside sun with a distinct lack of a seabreeze to cool the participants.

Aldeburgh, having lost the top spot to Hollesley earlier in the week came out all guns blazing against a slightly new-look Melton side, still searching for their first league points of the season.

After a 13-1 and 13-6 wins in the first two games, Aldeburgh had a 2-0 scoreline at the halfway stage and were guaranteed at the very least a draw. However despite a strong comeback by the Coach & Horses side including turning around a 9-4 deficit into a 13-12 win, it was the home side that took todays honours in a 3-1 win.

The match itself was completed in a very short space of time, which was a welcome relief to the wilting players on both sides. Aftermatch refreshments at the White Lion Hotel opposite was very welcome indeed.

Aldeburgh go back top, pending the result from the other match earlier today, of which we still await the result.

Matches - Sunday July 27th 2008

Deben Division

Aldeburgh Boules Club v Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton....10.30am start at Moot Hall Arena

The Exiles Bealings v Hollesley Shepherd & Dog....10.30am start at Bealings Village Hall

Shepherd & Dog knock Aldeburgh off the top

After continuing their unbeaten record on Tuesday night with a 3-1 home victory against Suivre Les Boules Playford, the Hollesley team managed to topple Aldeburgh from the top of the division.

With matches fast running out between now and the end of the season, Hollesley have maintained a unbeaten record at home and now face two away journeys to complete their regular season programme. Starting this Sunday (27th July) they face The Exiles Bealings in an significant match for both sides.

If The Exiles want to figure in the end of season PlayOffs they themselves need to win this one. With Aldeburgh casting an eye in the direction of this match, any slip up by Hollesley combined with a Aldeburgh home win against Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton will see Aldeburgh regain no.1 spot.

All brewing up into an exciting last 5 weeks of the league season.....!!

Crucial match this Sunday

July 20th 2008
Deben Division

The Hollesley Shepherd & Dog team take a short journey on Sunday to Bealings, to come up against The Exiles in an important match near the top of the table. Hollesley bring with them an unbeaten record of 2 wins and 3 draws in 5 matches and a draw or win will put them top of the table, whilst a big win for The Exiles could see them top of the pile come Sunday evening.

Neither side will want defeat as the number of matches left runs out and teams are making a final push for those top two play-off positions.

Blogmeisters Verdict: 2-2 draw

Unbeaten Hollesley maintain title challenge

In the Deben Division last Sunday unbeaten Hollesley Shepherd & Dog made the short journey to winless Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton in their pursuit of finishing in the top two.

Whilst the Melton side put up a gallant fight, they couldn't halt Hollesleys march and the Shepherd & Dog team ran out 3-1 victors.

This puts them into joint first place, level with Aldeburgh on 7 points but with a match in hand. Behind them is both Suivre Le Boule and The Exiles Bealings currently on 6 points apiece, making the final few matches very important in deciding who makes the Play-Offs and Grand Final in September.

All square at Playford

***Result Newsflash***

Sunday July 13th - Deben Division

Suivre Les Boules Playford were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Aldeburgh Boules Club, despite leading the match 2-0 at the halfway stage. Their early advantage included a game whereby facing a 10-2 uphill struggle, they achieved a magnificent 13-12 win.

Aldeburgh pulled out the stops in the second half and finished with a share of the league points to maintain their slim advantage at the top of the table.

The Countys latest piste - Bealings

The Suffolk Coastal Petanque League are fortunate enough to have the newest built piste in the County within its catchment area. The piste is located at the Lord Belstead Playing Field behind Bealings Village Hall and The Exiles team, from the Deben Division, are currently using it as their home base.

Hopefully regular use may see some interest from Bealings themselves in raising a team for the 2009 season.

Picture was taken on the Grand Opening Day earlier this year on May Bank Holiday Monday.

Deben Division - Sunday July 13th

Teams are getting busier as things start to gather momentum as we head into the second half of the season, and the striving towards achieving a top two finish.

In the Deben Division, there are 2 matches scheduled for Sunday July 13th as follows;

Suivre Les Boules Playford v Aldeburgh Boules Club
Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton v Hollesley Shepherd & Dog

At the time of 'going to press', both these matches are scheduled to start at 10.30am

Good luck to all those involved.

Battle of the Alde - All equal

Last Sunday, July 6th, saw the Harbour Inn Southwold make the very short journey across the river Alde to take on the Bell Inn Walberswick. The locations are just a little more than a 'boules throw' away but local honour was at stake.

Earlier in the season the Harbour Inn had defeated the Bell by a scoreline of 3-1 but this time it was not to be the same. The Bell, who had recently earnt a good draw against Hoxne, managed to again finish with a 2-2 draw.

This result prevented the Harbour Inn going top of the Alde Division but instead saw Southwold draw level with Hoxne on 5 points each.

More matches in this section are scheduled for Sunday 20th July. See this site for details nearer the time.

Hoxne back to winning ways

With the 3 Horeshoes North Cove having their first home match of the season earlier today, Hoxne PC were the visitors, looking to reclaim top spot in the Blyth Division.

However first blood was drawn by the hosts with North Cove winning the first game. This was, however, to be their last in the match, as Hoxne came back to gain a 3-1 away win and the two league points that puts them back above Southwold Harbour Inn for the time being.

The match result between Walberswick and Southwold is still awaited but a victory for Southwold would see them top whilst a Walberswick win would put them just 2 points off the top of the table.

The Exiles make it tight at the top

Sunday July 6th saw The Exiles welcome Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton to their piste 'on the hill' at Bealings. Results have been coming together recently for The Exiles and a 3-1 home win today saw them draw level with Aldeburgh Boules Club at the top of the Deben Division, only seperated by games difference.

This now means they are both on 6 points with both Playford and Hollesley just behind on 5 points. Ye Olde Coach & Horses still lie in fifth place but it should only be a matter of time before they see a win come their way.

Play Off Finals Day

***ADVANCE NOTICE***

Our End of Season Play-Offs will be held on Sunday 14th September 2008, at a venue still to be arranged.

At the end of the play-offs there will be the trophy presentations and speeches.

All teams are invited regardless of whether you qualify for the play-offs or not.

More details will be in Julys newsletter which is due out during week commencing 7th July.

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Have a go with this one, then I'll know the message is coming through loud and clear.

Fixtures - Sunday July 6th 2008

Blyth Division

3 Horseshoes North Cove v Hoxne PC
Bell Inn Walberswick v Harbour Inn Southwold

Deben Division

The Exiles Bealings v Ye Olde Coach & Horses Melton

Honours even in return fixture

Dateline - Tuesday 1st July 2008
Deben Division - Hollesley Shepherd & Dog versus Aldeburgh Boules Club

In the first match-up to have its return fixture completed, the two teams met up earlier this evening in glorious sunshine on the car park of the Shepherd & Dog that now doubles as the home teams piste.

Whilst the visitors awaited the arrival of the team skipper and partner, the other visiting pair got underway and after taking an early 8-0 lead, were pegged back but finally finished the game at 13-10 to draw first blood to Aldeburgh.

By now the other team members arrived and the first pair were split up for the next set of games. This initially also went the way of current league leaders, Aldeburgh, with a 13-7 win to go 2-0 up on the night, but the other pairing slipped to an 8-13 defeat leaving the match delicately poised at 2-1 to the away side.

All eyes turned to the late arrivals for their final game but they just couldnt get to grips with the Hollesley 'middle piste' and combined with good play by the hosts, lost 3-13, losing the 2 game advantage they had and finishing with an honours even 2-2 draw.

Despite this Aldeburgh remain top and Hollesley in third place but its starting to get tight as we enter the second half of the season.

Thanks to both sides for an entertaining match and applause to the hospitality afforded by the home venue. All makes it worthwhile.