Cardiff was under the global spotlight on Saturday as 100 million people in over 200 countries tuned into the UEFA Champions League Final, but that wasn’t the only sporting event of significance played on the weekend as the WPA hosted its annual Veterans Championship.

The competition format was played as a double round robin with four teams and began under light rain.

Glorious sunshine welcomed the Italian and Spanish visitors to our capital city on Saturday, but the weather Gods were not so kind to the quartet of petanque teams as a heavy downpour during the third round and the first part of the lunch break flooded the pistes.

The Champions League may have boasted over 1,200 volunteers over the weekend, but it was left to the sterling work of the loyal Monkstone members, who punched holes in the sub-strata to allow the pistes to drain sufficiently in order for play to recommence after lunch.

Shortly afterwards, the sun came out and a warm dry afternoon ensure completion of the competition.

At lunch, Team Pugh (Bob Pugh, Peter Westall, Peter Beresford and Ray Hayes) had won all 3 games and led Team Adshead (2), Team Murphy (1) and Team D. Westall 0 at the half-way stage.

Team Pugh dominated the second half, just as Real Madrid did the night before, with three further wins to win the Title with a 100% winning record. The National Title was the second for Peter Westall in as many months as he added the Veterans Title to his National Singles crown.

Dan Murphy, Gay Evans and Len Field claimed the runners-up spot on points difference over Bernard Adshead, Vickie Adshead and Peter Kensett.

The two Diane’s (Westall and Hayes) together with Rod Dobbins finished in fourth position.

Congratulations to all those that took part and braved the elements and also to the volunteers of the Monkstone Club who ensured the competition could be completed.