Big Al's Big Party

A great turnout recently for Albert's petanque party with about 20 friends -- old and new -- showing up. Between the festivities, we even mananged to play a few games ...

See you soon Albert, take care.

HSPC opens TPL title defense with win over Mon Soleil

HSPC opened its Tokyo Petanque League (TPL) title defense on April 26 with an important away victory over new team Mon Soleil.

Playing against a strong shooting team that included professional Konari san, HSPC expected a tough battle and rose to the challenge, winning the first five games before running out 6-2 winners.

Full results can be seen here.

HSPC wins consolation tournament at Tokyo Midtown Cup

HSPC fielded two teams in the Tokyo Midtown Cup on Sunday, April 20, and despite the disappointment of not advancing to the finals tournament, the team of Bob, Raj and Greg came alive in the afternoon and trounced some solid competition to win the consolation tournament.

Well done guys.

Boulles on tour ...

There has been a bit of talk about a camping tour in the summer so I took the opportunity to scan for a few venues during a recent family tip to Doushimura in Yamanashi Prefecture.

The cherry blossoms had just started to bloom and the rocky venue by the river made for some interesting and scenic Petanque.

I still favor Okutama though for the tour as it offers day-trip options for those who wish to return at night.

Seagull sightings ...

New HSPC member and avid Brighton and Albion Seagulls fan Pete dropped by the park on Saturday with Francis, a childhood friend from England, and his wife Suzanne.

After a few ales, the English trio of Pete, Francis and Mike teamed up for a game against Charlie, Orite san and fresh face Quincy.

With Pete's wife cheering on her man from the sidelines, the boys from Ol' Blighty pulled off a rarity for an international English sporting team -- a victory!

Thanks for coming down.

Steve and Mike win Tokyo Midtown Cup

HSPC fielded three teams in the Tokyo Midtown Cup on Sunday, Feb. 17, and the pairing of Mike and Steve overcame an early setback to win the event, breaking the club's drought at the Akasaka monthly tournaments.

Despite some confusion with the draw, all three HSPC teams -- Sherpas (Bob and Raj), Snow Leopards (Mike and Steve) and the Yaks (Charlie and Greg) -- qualified for the finals with 2-1 records in the morning's play.

The Yaks' satisfaction at advancing was short-lived though after Charlie went walkabout, last seen mountain trekking in Tibet, during the brief lunch break and Greg had to face Aoyama alone in a three balls vs. six situation, giving up eight points in two rounds in a hopeless scenario. Charlie eventually returned to base camp and a brief rally was launched. At 9-3 there was a sliver of hope of pulling off the impossible but the weight was too heavy for even a Yak to haul and Charlie and Greg bowed out of the tournament 11-3 to Tom and Yokoyama san.

Bob and Raj were leading 9-6 and looked set to move on but a late rally by their opponents dumped them out of the tournament as well.

That left Mike and Steve and with some solid teamwork and plenty of encouragement on the sidelines from their club mates, the Snow Leopards showed their claws and triumphed in a tense final.

Needing little excuse to celebrate anything, the HSPC boys weren't going to waste this golden moment and sunk endless amounts of golden ale to toast the victory.

Congratulations Mike and Steve!

Let it snow ...

Some memorable weather and games on the weekend, with Kato san from MPC teaming up with our Bob on Saturday to defeat Steve and Greg. Kato san's knowledge of the ground was on full display with some astute pointing in the confusing sandy/muddy terrain. Whenever Steve and Greg looked liked changing the momentum, Bob was on hand to blast away with a double-barrell attack that would have made Wyatt Earp proud! It was a vintage display of shooting from Bob and we hope he can carry that form into the Feb. 17 tournament at Akasaka.

Steady snowfall on Sunday did not deter the boys and a six-pack of players turned up to take shelter beneath the 'clubhouse.' Several games were played on the back "tracks" with Bob and Steve taking on Albert and Greg.

Bob continued his fine form from Saturday and with Steve as reliable as ever they took the first game. Albert and Greg found their range and combined well to capture the second match and chipped away for a hard-fought decider in the dark.

The HSPC boys would like to thank ailing Albert for making the effort to come down in the snow and are sure his health will soon be on the road to a 13-0 recovery!