Easter may be early this year, but Devon boules clubs began their 2013 league season last weekend.

The Village Inn, from Westward Ho! travelled to Exeter and played two fixtures; in the morning they lost 2-3 against Isca.

After lunch they played Ottery St Mary, and, in the triples Barrie, Sue and John set the Otters off to a good start with a great 13-0 win; team-mates Peter, Dave and Rose followed on with a 13-7 victory.

In the doubles Barrie and Rose continued the Otters rampage by taking their game 13-2, whilst Sue and John emerged as 13-8 winners.

Peter and Dave found themselves five points down after the first end of their game and, although they fought back, the end result was a 13-8 success for the Villagers’ Mike and Bobbo. This left the overall score 4-1 in favour of the Otters.

Another North Devon club were due to play Ottery St Mary and Isca on the same day, but found themselves unable to raise a team and so have to forfeit their first two games of the new campaign.

Chudleigh PC are yet to play their first fixture.

This Sunday sees the playing of a three-way Region match with Cornwall, Devon and Western Counties playing at the Isca Centre starting at 10.30am.

Anyone in the East Devon area wishing to know more about petanque (also known as boules), or wanting to try the game, can contact Dave West, the Ottery St Mary club secretary on 01404 812292 or email d.west1939@btinternet.com