This years’ Devon Petanque Doubles Championship was held in fine weather at Ottery St Mary’s Strawberry Lane Terrain, and as normal the hospitality was good -but it didn’t extend to the play as teams from the host club took both trophies on offer!, writes Chris Bigmore.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery St Mary petanque players Peter and Sue Smith with the Devon Petanque Plate trophy that they won at the recent Devon League doubles competition.Ottery St Mary petanque players Peter and Sue Smith with the Devon Petanque Plate trophy that they won at the recent Devon League doubles competition. (Image: Archant)

To complete a good day for players from our local clubs a team from Honiton finished in joint third position.

In the first stage of this highly competitive event the home pairing of John and Rosemary Thatcher topped one of the two groups, with the other group headed by holders Thierry Hacq and Rob Thomas from Chudleigh.

Second places in the groups went to Honitons’ Charlie O’Reilly and Chris Bigmore and Rosemary Earl and Chris Rendle from Plymouth.

Those four teams progressed to the semi finals with the remaining teams contesting the Plate competition.

In the second, knockout stage the Thatcher pairing beat O’Reilly and Bigmore 13-7, whilst outsiders Earl and Rendle overcame Hacq and Thomas 13-10.

Experience told in the final as the Plymouth pair were beaten decisively 13-3 by John and Rosemary Thatcher who take the title.

There was further success for Ottery when Peter and Sue Smith reversed their group stage form to progress through the knockouts and win the Plate competition. They beat the North Devon pair of Mike Anderson and Simon Rapsey 13-7 in the final.