KL Report - Seal Blues - won 3-2

From Phil

Last Wednesday the Whitstable Natives Kent League petanque team received a visitation from the Blue Seals. At least I thought they were called the Blue Seals, so I was expecting a demonstration of natural ball skills, like those I've seen at the Aqua-Park. And, as the Whitstable piste has frequently resembled an Aqua-Park this season, it seemed likely that they would feel very much at home on its spongy surface. In the event, this assumption turned out to be only partially true, which is more than can be said for my assumption regarding their name, which was wholly inaccurate. In fact, they are called the Seal Blues because they come from a place called Seal, which is way over on the western fringes of the county and the name "Blues" distinguishes them from the other team that play at the same venue, who are called the Seal Whites. By choosing these names they attempt to be more egalitarian than they'd be if they used "A" and "B," which is something that the Natives might like to look at for next season in the EKCPL, especially if both teams are in the 1st Division.

Anyway, the Blue Seals, as I will continue to call them, did indeed take to the sandy shale of our piste like seals to water:

It was very much "thumbs up" for the Seals after they had taken both of the opening triples games. Mind you, they didn't have it all their own way. The scores 13-8 and 13-12 attest to the resistance put up by the Natives, who acquitted themselves well in view of the fact that some of them were not accustomed to playing with each other!

With the advent of the doubles games the tide turned, however, and the Seals, who had been progressing swimmingly, began to lose momentum. Firstly, they were dealt a severe blow by Robert and Chris, who renewed their successful partnership on the middle piste and sailed easily to a 13-6 win.

Then Alan's trademark bombing technique, always effective in watery environments, combined with Sarah's excellent pointing to upset another pair of Seals. Their happy honks were suddenly silenced by superior skills as they went under by 13 points to 9.  

Finally, Pete and Phil, buoyed up by the success of their team mates, were left to complete the comeback on the choppy waters of the far piste. After falling behind a few times the Natives were determined to prove themselves unsinkable on this occasion and eventually they succeeded in beaching the Seals, albeit by the squeakiest margin of 13 to 12. 

As you can imagine, the Blue Seals were somewhat dismayed by being bested in this way:

I'm sure "they never felt more like singing the blues" but after a nice fish supper I expect they felt much better. This was the first time that a Natives team that I can recall has come back from losing both triples games to then win all three doubles and take the match. It was pleasure to be involved.

Here's hoping for more success from our three teams this week when, just to remind everyone, they will all be at home, starting tonight with Bob Bees looking to give the Horse & Groom A team a bit of a stinging.