Pétanque players call it a draw

CHERNG TALAY: The winners of prizes in Phuket’s fourth international pétanque competition on Sunday (April 25) had to be decided by a draw after confusion over the points awarded in the final. Philippe Cablat, manager of the Black Cat restaurant where the tournament was held, was a little embarrassed. “I don’t want to tell you the names of the draw winners,” he told the Gazette. But he was delighted with the record turnout for the competition – 64 players, mostly resident expatriates from France, Switzerland, Australia, and Britain, but with a sprinkling of Thai players. “This was many more than we expected,” he said. Mr Cablat warned that if the event’s popularity continues to grow, he will probably have to put a cap on the number of competitors for the next Black Cat tournament, to be held in November. He said players should look out for a notice posted in the restaurant, about one week before the tournament. Players will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Pétanque, which originates in France, was introduced to Thailand by HRH the Queen Mother, and is now played all over the country. A bowling game, it is played on a small sand pitch, using steel balls. Prizes for the April tournament were provided by East-West-Siam and the Phuket Sea View Club. Free aperitifs after the prize ceremony were donated by Perthai Co Ltd.