Last weekend I won a pétanque tournament sponsored by the local chapter of the Alliance Francaise. I came in second last time they did it (with a different partner).

This was not a historic victory… many of the city’s best players were away at another event, and there wasn’t any prize money to pull people out of the woodwork. Still, we beat a strong team in the final match. My partner Christian and I were “old age and cunning” and it was nice to beat “youth and skill” in that last game. Christian is a many times national champion, and although he is older than he used to be he is still a formidable player.

I’m wooing the Alliance director (on the right in the picture) to do more with the Auckland Pétanque Association that I find myself President of. I’m not sure if winning his tournament will help or hurt that endeavor.