Petanque: League championship-Mont Buxton women take a shot at title defence, men’s defending champs Roche Caïman out |04 June 2005

Declared the champions on a countback, the Mont Buxton team of Sheila Chang-Time and Livia Sinon, who have this year acquired the services of Vanessa Chang-Time, will get a shot at defending the doublette title.

They finished first in the league with 32 points after eight games played.

Another Mont Buxton team comprising Linda Sinon, Virna Fanny and Rachel Mangroo finished second with 28 points while third position with 22 points was taken by the Roche Caïman team made up of Xianne Joubert, Betty Joubert, Janette Pierre and Joshua Adeline.

Vivianne Finesse, Laura Joubert, Sheila Adolphe and Derothy Joubert were fourth overall with 14 points.

The top three teams have qualified for the league finals which will see the participation of teams from La Digue.

In the men’s triplette competition, Antonio Gopal, Auguste Louise and Antoine Botsoie threw the bowls well to win last year’s league championship, but they will be watching the final stage from the sidelines this time.

Although they included Etienne Radegonde to their successful Roche Caïman team, the defending champions failed to secure a place in this year’s final after finishing fourth overall in the seven-team league.

Roche Caïman’s 44 points were 28 less than that accumulated by the Mont Buxton team of Roland Renaud, Joseph Charles, Ivans Anacoura and Julien Ernest who finished first.

Bernard Chang-Time joined forces with his sons Benny and Fabien Chang-Time, as well as popular comedian Joseph Sinon, who happens to be his brother-in-law, to finish second with 70 points.
The Takamaka team of Joeliff César, Barnley Mellon, Nicol Esparon and Leslie Low-Toy claimed the third and last spot in the final with 62 points.

Although the Seychelles Petanque Association is yet to announce the date of the grand league finals, teams have already started preparing for the very important day.

G. G.