HSPC kick starts league campaign with vital victory

After two narrow defeats, and a scrappy draw, HSPC finally posted its first victory of the 2009 Tokyo Petanque League campaign, overcoming Sagamihara Belle Equipe 7-1 on Saturday, June 20.



Raj and Big Bill earned MVP honors, going undefeated in their three games, while Bob also played a great anchor role, teaming up with three different partners – Greg, Chris and Vasili – to post an impressive 4-1 record himself.

Determined to get off to a fast start, Greg and Bob came out of the gates like Usain Bolt, dashing to a dream-like 10-0 lead before the sprint race turned into a battle of endurance and, after hacking into the lead with two 4-point frames, Sagamihara leveled the scores at 10-10.

From there the fading HSPC boys caught a bad break when Bob's clean knock out sent a boulle into the bit and after some pinballing, the target ball settled amongst three of Sagamihara's boulles. With only one ball left, Greg needed to throw a quality shot to at least have a chance of extending the game but his effort came up well short and a gutted HSPC were left wondering how we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The second game featuring Raj and Big Bill, two players renown for lifting their games to match the occasion, started in a similar style with HSPC taking an early lead before Sagamihara fought back. Our opponents had a chance to clinch victory and take a 2-0 lead but failed to grasp the opportunity. Sensing a win was there to seal, Raj and Bill held their nerves and slammed the door shut on a 13-12 victory to even the score at 1-1.

Fresh off an amazing 61 on the golf course on Friday, Chris entered the match, teaming up with Bob in a critical Game 3 for a 13-8 triumph. Unlike his native banana-bent state Down Under, Chris was straight and true on the piste, his pointing packed with the poison of a thousand Cane Toads.

Raj and Bill teamed up for two other victories, as did Belarusian bamboozler Vasili and Bob, while Greg and Bob erased the pain of their opening defeat with a tight 13-11 result as HSPC rolled to an impressive 7-1 triumph.

Despite early warnings from the local constabulary following a complaint about "dangerous steel balls flying high," the celebrations continued well into the night and morning, with Steve joining in the festivities, making an emergency dash from Narita Airport. Top effort mate!



Next up, HSPC takes on undefeated rivals (and good friends) Aoyama Petanque at home in another "must win" scenario for the Peter Pan Boyz.

The Aoyama Petanque Wine Tasting Club

A big thanks to the "Aoyama Petanque Wine Tasting Club" for their generous hospitality on Saturday. Endless bottles of grape, goose liver, cheeses, Barolo, salami, Pinot Noir, prawns, Merlots ... even some hard-fought games.

Thanks guys!

Nomination for HSPC 'Man of the Year'!

On another stormy Sunday, the "Peter Pan" boys braved the elements and amid the thunder in the skies and the roar of the surging canal behind the "clubhouse," an early nomination for HSPC "Man of the Year" emerged.

Riding his mom's trusty steel steed, young Alex Witmer surfaced from behind a wall of water, answering a desperate call from some freezing fathers. Just like jolly Saint Nick on his sleigh, he was bearing handfuls of gifts: three fleece jackets and three umbrellas.





Warmed by the selfless sacrifice, Alex was suitably rewarded, only to return half the gift to his grateful father.

Good luck with your studies in the U.S. Alex, and a big thanks from us in Never Neverland!

The convenience and consideration of Japan ...

After some fun games between Albert-Greg and Bob-Steve on a weather-wonky Sunday afternoon, the crackle of thunder grew louder and the dancing lightning became brighter. The inevitable downpour soon followed and after initially taking refuge under the shelter of the Himalaya Sugi tree clubhouse, we were washed out and retreated to the safety of the nearby 7-11.

Sipping a Sapporo while waiting under the awning for the storm to pass, the sympathizing manageress came out and after a mandatory "taihen desu ne," invited us to drink our beers in the warmth of the dry shop. A few sticks of yakitori later and exchanges of pleasantries, the boys finally headed home.

The Japanese can be very considerate.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Pisted off! More league frustrations

HSPC traveled to the shoreline of Shinkiba on Sunday, May 11, to take on defending champion Mon Soleil in the Tokyo Petanque League. After a poor start to this year's competition that has left HSPC with one draw and a defeat, the boys needed a win and got off to a solid start, easing out to a handy 3-1 lead before Mon Soleil shuffled their team, brought in the big guns, and clinched the clash 5-3.

Congratultations Mon Soleil!

Full results can be found on the TPL site.

HSPC battles back for draw after another slow start

HSPC hosted Hiratsuka Beach Petanque Club at Myoshoji Park on May 3 in the second round of the Tokyo Petanque League and once again found themselves four games down before battling back for a 4-4 draw.

Some fine play by our opponents, a morning start, and a lack of "fuel" were all cited as causes for our disappointing performance.

Thanks to Okawa san and his crew, you have a great club.

Full results can be found on the Tokyo Petanque League site

Next up HSPC plays away to last year's champions Mon Soleil and like in 2008, HSPC will be looking for (and needing!) a win!

HSPC's courageous rally comes up short

HSPC lost its opening game of the new Tokyo Petanque League season on Saturday, falling 5-3 to host Aoyama after rallying from 4-0 down.

Under perfect weather conditions -- and a playing terrain fit for Martians! -- Aoyama raced out to a dominating lead and appeared destined to sweep all matches before Bob and Vasili started the fight back for HSPC, streaking to a 13-0 victory.

On center court, Greg and Chris eased out to an impressive 10-3 lead against "snipers" Albert and Bernard before the sharp-shooters clawed back into the match. In a game many said was the most exciting petanque game they've ever witnessed, the momentum swung both ways before underdogs Chris and Greg held their nerve to seal a 13-11 victory.

Sensing a draw was there to be had, the experienced duo of Raj and Bob teamed up to tackle nemesis Adrian and Albert, a combination that the HSPC pair hadn't beat at Aoyama in several years. After a surprising 6-point first frame, Bob and Raj won the game 13-6 to bring the dream of a draw closer to reality.

But HSPC's heavenly run ended there, with Chris and Greg struggling to reproduce the magic from the previous game against Mochizuki san and Kurosawa san, falling 13-1.

Kurosawa san, the smiling assassin, deservedly won MVP honors with his 13-1, 13-1 performance.

Thanks to Aoyama for their warm hospitality and congrats on the victory, you were the better team overall.