MPC win 'Champions League' final

A very healthy turnout at the park on Saturday, including many friends from MPC.

After a few mixed rounds within the clubs we played a "Champions League" format with two teams facing off from MPC and two from HSPC. The respective winners advanced to meet in the final.

Bob, Raj and Yutaka took on Steve, Michael and Greg and in a well-fought game Bob's team emerged victorious (11-10) after he threw a superb long-distance knockout to get the winning point with his team's last ball.

In the final against MPC, the HSPC guys led early but MPC rallied for the win.

Congratulations MPC.

Going out on a limb ...

Another balmy weekend saw a large turnout at Myoshoji on Saturday with several members from MPC dropping by for a few rounds. Discussions focused on the upcoming tournament and our new team shirts that Kawamura san has kindly designed.

All the talk of tree cones (the six-pack of beers may have helped …) inspired Steve to climb to the top of our clubhouse, the 8-meter tall Himalaya cedar tree, in search of a few fresh cones to model the design on. After a few tense moments swaying in the canopy, Steve descended with a chest full of treasure.

Sunday was marked by chilly winds and the return of lost son Albert, now of Aoyama fame. It was great to shoot the breeze, and share a few knock-outs, with the lanky legend over a couple of carafes.

Kampai, Kawamura san!

Here's a tribute to our good friend Kawamura san, who apart from being very handy with a camera has expanded his portfolio to include logo design.

Kawamura san and his MPC teammate Shimizu san joined us at the park on Saturday and the master blaster was in superb form, hitting about 80 percent of his knock-out shots.

Kawamura san was aided by a trusty pal -- a bottle of 25%-proof shochu!

"I play better when I drink!"

Hard for anyone to argue with that, though he is very camera shy and would not pose for a photo.

A day in the snow, January 2006

I remember this day vividly as Mike called and said he fancied going down the park.

"It's snowing mate!" was my reply but he was still keen so off I went with the children.

The weather did not deter Raj and Bob and we all had a good laugh in the 'warmth' of our clubhouse.

For some reason the guys had their medals they won at a recent tournament. They look more like winners of a ski event than Petanque! It was a great day, one we all made the most of.

Photos courtesy of Kawamura san (MPC).