The 7th annual Colin Ballett Pétanque Tournament was held on Sunday 9th July at The Kymin in Penarth and former Penarth Club President Tony Smith claimed the Trophy for a record third time.

Smith – who now plays for Monkstone Pétanque Club in Penylan, Cardiff – won the event for a second time with partner Nai Kongchun, following up their 2014 triumph in style.

Just like in 2014, Smith and Kongchun enjoyed the dry pistes on a balmy day in Penarth, as they turned on the form, to claim six straight wins.

With thirteen teams entering the competition, the top eight pairs following the morning’s group games, qualified for the knock-out competition. Smith and Kongchun won all group matches to qualify in third place on points difference and then came from 6-0 behind to beat Penarth’s Andrew Howard and Will Thomas in the quarter-final.

In another quarter-final match, Wenvoe’s Ray and Diane Hayes narrowly beat Jenny Spooner and Celia Scott of Penarth, ending the home club’s hopes of keeping the Trophy in its hometown.

The semi-final ties were both entertaining matches and Smith and Kongchun overcame the challenge of Phil Bradshaw and Vicky Adshead of Monkstone. On the opposite piste, the Hayes duo were beaten by East Midlands’ Simon Cotton and Sabrina Seville who travelled from Leicester for the event.

In an intriguing Final, played to a very high standard, it was Smith and Kongchun who regained their Title beating the East Midlands duo in front of a good crowd that filled the banks of the Kymin.

The Plate competition Final was strongly represented by Penarth as Tim Howard (Penarth) and father Chris Howard (unaffiliated) beat Jayne Dunn and Barbara Harrington (both Penarth).

The day was concluded with the Presentation of the Trophy, which was made to the winning pair by the late Colin Ballett’s wonderful wife, Simeone.

Thanks, must go to everybody involved at the club, for making the event so special with excellent organisation. But the real winner was the game of Pétanque, which continues to thrive in Penarth. The club meets every Sunday at 11am at the Kymin and visitors and new members are welcome. Contact Tim Howard (07545 396815 / tim-howard@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.penarthpetanque.com for more information.