Frozen Hands But Still a Victory for Pat; Tim W. and Jeff C.

The brutal winds whipped across Cadillac Square, threatening to cause Pat to run off the piste at any moment. But the delights of close competition kept everyone concentrated. My partner, Brian, was pointing marvelously as we slowly ascended towards our goal of matching (and possibly besting) Pat; Tim W. and Jeff C.'s 12 points. Round after round, we either gained a point, or knocked the cochonnet off the piste. Eventually, however, Pat's team gained it's final 13th point.

I'm very enthusiastic about the progress and determination of our newest players. Jeff C.; Brian G. and Tim W. were all out in the midst of freezing rain to play boule.

Windy Day in the Park

The club is really getting some nice and consistent playing. That's great news. Also good that a new supply of boules is coming in from Philippe (of Petanque-America) for the lessons coming up - and the expectation of 3 or 4 games going on at once at Cadillac Square. I want to thank everyone for playing nicely together - and really showing what city life is all about - cooperative social play. Brian G. has been laying in some really nice close points. Raphael was impressed as this is usually his forte. Aaron re-joined us - he just graduated from University of Michigan - Congrats Aaron!

See ya'll tomorrow!

Bocce Shared the Courts with Petanque Today

Today's games were quite fun. We could almost run three doublettes, and shall do so next week I'm sure. Bascially, when we start up the team selections, we pull out all of the shooters and distribute them evenly, then these team captains select their pointing partners. Keep in mind, an experienced played linked with a relatively inexperienced player makes the game more fun as your skills are required even more against a tougher opponent. At the same time the new players are getting a good lesson from their partner and the opposition.

Maury is in New York next week, and he'll try out the La Boule Newyorkaise pistes in Bryant Park. Have fun Maury!

What a beautiful warm Friday it was... with warm breezes, it was almost tropical. VIDEO

Anne Joins the Petanque Club in Detroit

Today's games were joined by new player, Anne C. who has petanqued before, but swears she isn't a high-stakes petanque ringer. We played two doublettes, with my team (Jeff/Anne) doing rather well initially against Hal & Tim. Then we were joined by Abu. The tide changed somewhat (nothing to do with Abu!) and before we knew it, it was 10/5 Hal/Tim - they went in for the kill with a 3-boule to 13/5 victory. Over on Court-2; Pat was teamed up with Mikey-D. who squashed Kevin and Tim W. in a 13/5 slaughter. What really clinched it was the 5-boule points Pat's team wwon by knocking out the cochonnet. But in the second game, Kevin and Tim W. got their revenge, with a 13/11 win (7 point conversion to 13).

All in all, a nice day for boule.

Bright Skies at Cadillac Square Park

Today's games were played beneath bright skies: VIDEO

Fox 2 New's Bill Gallagher stopped by to watch us play. He may do a local interest piece on us in the near future.

Petanque Game Halted On Account of Hail

The game began sunny - Jeff; Raphael; Pat verses Kevin; and the two Tims (Tim W. and Tim C.).

We were having a good ole time, but the dark clouds were fast approaching.

The score was up to 2 vs. 2; we talked about perhaps playing until 7 points - but we didn't even get there as the bits of hail came pelting down upon us.

Needless to say - Game Over! No Score!

The Tale of the Two Tims

Hal D. joined us today, as did Tim W. - both playing for team Kevin and Tim C. while my team consisted of Abu, Pat and Raphael.

Tim W. is a fast learner, laying in great points and shots (!) on his first game.

We swept with a 13/2 victory... But we just couldn't hold them down and our opponents came through with their own 13/8 win.

The Campus Martius grounds may be a little too busy during the lunch hours so we'll probably be playing regularly on (as Pat prefers) the Cadillac Square pistes.


As you can see in the ranking chart, we've already had 25 games for the season, and it is only April ! Pat leads the pack, with im C. close behind. Next is Maury and then Kevin - a clear Honigman lock on the sport in Detroit. Once a player has 10 games under their belt, they'll be mixed into the top tier rankings.

Double Games today - Mikey's Back

In the first game, it looked bad for Team Honigman (Pat/Tim/Kevin) who trailed Abu/Jeff/Mike the entire game, resulting in a 13/4 win for Jeff's team. Some time left, we played a 7-point game (same teams) - with our team taking another lead, 3 to zero. But then the opposition caught up, passed us at 4 to 3, and then Kevin shot out the cochonnet from 20 meters for the win 7/3 (13/9).

Another "Cold Day" Slaughterfest

Pat and Kevin were determined to beat us today, and they even had the support of top player, James H. but victory was just not to be... as Hitesh, Maury, Jeff, and Tim rocketed to a 13/3 win.

The opposition's whole game was in pieces. Pointings were wandering way off their marks, there was no shooting whatsoever that connected, and add to this that we were playing on one of the trickier stretches of petaque piste in the park. It was just a no win situation.

COLD = Achille's Heel for Kevin and Pat

It took a while, but we finally cracked the code to Kevin & Pat's downfall (not that it will matter much with the warm weather approaching)... COLD.

It was just cold enough to keep Kevin & Pat off their A-game, leaving Maury, Jeff & Tim to sweep in an easy victory 13/4

There were some rounds when it seemed the opposition would have done better using their feet rather than their hands!

But, I'm sure their Achille's Heel won't last for long, not with warmer weather setting in.

Maury Saves the Day with a Crucial Pointing

Game one brought Abu (Don't Shoot Point), Rob (Rock'n Rob) and Tim (Peppers) verses Jeff, Kevin, and David (new player) with David putting in some nice points for a new guy. We won 13 to 4.

Game two brought Abu, Jeff and Rob against Kevin, David and Maury. Maury didn't show up until the end, but he was essential for their victory as the score was 8 to 4 (9 point game) and they were behind. My team was sitting with two boules closest to the cochonnet (we were out of boules) and Kevin wasn't able to shoot us away, but Maury laid in a point, taking away our victory and leaving their team in the game 8 to 5. Then in the last round, still 8 to 5, my team held the 9th point on our last boule, but Kevin was able to knock the cochonnet off the piste, giving his team 4 points (Article 13 of the Petanque Rules) 1 point for each of the 4 boules not yet played by his team. Well done!

Brandon Joins in on the Carnage at Campus Martius

April Fool's Day and we had a nice triplette going. Pat and I wanted to re-challenge Kevin, Tim, and Maury - so we began to torment the opposition, getting anice lead. Then Brandon came by and joined up with Pat and me. We beat them 13 to 10 ! Brandon was pointing in very close - and Pat's shooting went smooth as silk. Even my own pointing was pretty decent.

Double Win for Kevin's Team - a close one at the end

Still a little nippy out, but we played anyhow. two games. The first had me and Maury against Tim, Pat, and Kevin - with a 6/13 upset. We were playing on an alternate piste on Campus Martius - untested ground.

The second game (played to 7 points) - was me and Pat against Maury, Kevin, and Tim.

That game was a runaway for Maury's team, until Pat and I came back to lead at 6 to 5. But then the final boule was rolled (Maury's) - giving them a 7/6 (13/12) victory.

"8" Unlucky for our Adversary

I've heard from our French players that "8" is an unlucky number for the French. Friday's game proved this to be true as Pat/ Maury/ Kevin were stuck on 8 points as Tim/ Raphael/ Jeff steamed ahead to a 13/8 victory.

Today's team composition was pretty fair: Tim has become an excellent shooter - he's reliable for 80 percent of his shots. Then Raphael is the very stable pointer - with his signature "Raphael Push Pointing" to move the enemy positions aside. I've been pointing better than shooting lately - perhaps due to the extreme distances of the cochonnet laid down by Monsieur Binkow whose tennis-arm puts the cochonnet at 14 meters!

Maury's strengths are definitely in the pointing realm coupled with strategy - but he's pushed adversary boules out of the way more frequently these days. Pat - always good as a mileu (all-around player with a very strong "Pat the Rocket" shot, and a mindful pointing. Kevin, also a great pointer - but his teams rely upon his expert surgical shooting to win them points.

Look Who is Back on the Piste...

In a complete reversal from the other day where Pat's team came from behind an 8 point to zero standing to win ... Jeff/Tim/Abu were at the zero mark against the 8 point score of Pat/Maury/Mike (8 is an unlucky number for the French) to win 13 to 9.

The second game - played to 7 points didn't turn out as well... with Pat/Maury/Mike sweeping 7 to zip.

VIDEO from today.

Pat and Maury Make an Amazing Comeback Win

Tim, Abu and Jeff were ahead 8 to zero against Pat and Maury in Tuesday's game. We were already thinking about how funny a 13/0 fanny would be for the blog.

But then, it happened: the penny.

Pat eyed a lucky penny on the court, mentioned how his luck has changed, and it truly did. Before we knew it, Pat and Maury were zooming ahead, even with us, then passing us (we were stuck on 8 points)... with eventually an 11 to 11 set-up.

The final boules thrown... Victory to Pat and Maury 13/11

Nailbiter of a game today in Michigan

Today's game was a real nail-biter (VIDEO).

Maury, Pat and Kevin exchanged boule for boule throughout today's game against Hitesh, Jeff and Tim. Tim was shooting like a superstar, even successfully eliminating two boules (front and back) with one shot. But in the end, the 13/11 victory went to Maury's team.

Pat & Hitesh Sweep Friday with a Double Win

Pat & Hitesh won big time today, tormenting Jeff and Tim in both games: 13/4 and 13/12. The last game was a nail-biter, with a 1 point decider (to Pat & Hitesh).

On an interesting note, Hitesh mentioned today that Kevin's lousy shooting cost them both games on Thursday. "He is going to really need to practice before I'll partner up with him again" said H-man.

Two Doublettes Today at Campus Martius Park

Today's games were a win/loss & loss/win for each team. I was fortunately (unfortunately for Kevin I guess) teamed up with Kevin and we lost 1/13 against Pat & Tim. But then my pointing came back somewhat, and Kevin's pointing was incredible, making a double-hit with one boule (the 2nd on a ricochet!) to give us a 13/10 (7 point game) victory.

Abu is Back!

Today's triplette: Pat, Jeff & Deric against Kevin, Tim & Abu. I pointed terrible today, every boule rolling too far left or right. Perhaps it was the surfase - fast hard and flat (sounds like a bad Porno). Pat was right on with his shooting - with hit after excellent hit - smacking away the competition. But alas, Kevin's team held in there and beat us 13 to 6 (brutal) It was great to see Abu back on the piste - we hadn't seen him since the season closed on 2008.

Kevin is temporarily knocked into second place as Abu's win rockets him to the top slot. As the average mellow out the rankings, I'm sure things will change. My own horrible ranking... will stick around for a while...