Spring Triples Delivers Sunshine, Strong Turnout and a Thrilling Finish

6 days ago
2 min read

Norwich Pétanque Club enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of competition on Saturday 2nd May 2026, as the Spring Triples brought together 12 teams under hot and sunny skies at The Cottage.

Trophies on a table with a large silver cup labeled "Norwich Petanque Spring Triples" A wine bottle is partially visible.

This year’s event saw the biggest entry since the transition from the Radio Norfolk Triples, highlighting the continued growth and enthusiasm within the club. It was also particularly pleasing to see so many members from other local clubs supporting the event, adding to both the competitive standard and the friendly, social atmosphere throughout the afternoon.

People playing pétanque on a gravel court surrounded by greenery. Groups are focused and engaged. The scene is relaxed and sunny.

The format consisted of four timed games, with final standings determined first by number of wins and then points difference — a format that ultimately proved crucial.

At the end of the four rounds, an incredible four teams were tied on three wins apiece, leaving points difference to decide the final standings.

Tom Ralph, Gavin Seymour and Jallal Talbi receiving their winners trophies

Emerging as winners were Tom Ralph, Gavin Seymour and Jallal Talbi with a +27 points difference.

Mervyn Bell, Matt Hayter and Richard Jeffery receiving their runners-up trophies

Close behind in second place were Mervyn Bell, Matt Hayter and Richard Jeffery on +25, underlining just how tight the competition was.

One of the standout stories of the day was the debut of two of the club’s juniors, Cody and Bradley, who competed in their first-ever competition. Teaming up with Allen Kemp and their coach Mark Bell, the juniors rotated throughout the event to gain valuable experience, each playing two games. Impressively, the team finished with two wins and a +9 points difference — a superb achievement on debut. Their highlight victory came in a dominant 12–2 win over the team that had won the competition for the past two years.

For those inspired by the performances of Cody and Bradley, you can find out more about Norwich Pétanque Club’s junior sessions here: https://www.norwich-petanque.co.uk/junior-coaching

The day was played in a fantastic spirit, with competitors enjoying both the competitive edge and the social atmosphere. One player summed it up perfectly, saying:

“Great afternoon, thank you to everyone who was involved — a credit to the club.”

Norwich Pétanque Club would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who made the event possible. Gavin Seymour for preparing the terrain, Hedley Watts and Sharon Thorndyke for organising and running the competition, and Lesley Munday for coordinating the raffle. Events like this rely on the dedication of volunteers, and their efforts continue to make the club’s competitions such a success.

Looking ahead, it’s a busy week for the club. Norwich Pétanque Club will be hosting the Norfolk vs Suffolk Coastal match on Saturday, 9th May, and it would be fantastic to see plenty of support for the Norfolk team in what promises to be an exciting fixture. Details can be found here: NCPA Squad for May 26 – norfolkcountypetanqueassociation.org

The next club competition is the Gold Cup Pairs on 6th June. Full details can be found on the club website here: Our Open Club Competitions | Norwich Petanque Club, and all are encouraged to get involved in what promises to be another excellent day of pétanque.