Bath Grand Cru Pétanque Club demonstrated exceptional skill and composure to capture Pétanque England’s prestigious Euro Cup Trophy in a thrilling national final. Following a series of challenging knockout rounds that began in autumn 2024, the team showcased razor-sharp pointing and precise shooting to secure the title.
Having qualified as runners-up in their semi-final group, Bath Grand Cru entered the Trophy competition among the teams ranked fifth to eighth nationally. These squads fiercely contested the “PE Trophy” title, while four group winners competed for the main Cup.
Under the leadership of captain Dave Ramplin, Bath Grand Cru started their campaign with strong victories, defeating Leicester 4-1 and then replicating the 4-1 score against Cambridge. The nail-biting final pitted them against Southern Region’s Anglesey Arms, a team that arrived with an identical two-win record.
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The match began with two triples games, where Bath initially trailed. Despite conceding the first game to Anglesey Arms, a smart substitution enabled Grand Cru to snatch the second, leveling the score. The next three pairs games were fiercely contested. Ramplin and Oussama Hamdaoui secured a convincing win to put Bath ahead, only for the second pair to drop their game and set the stage for a tense decider. In a gripping finale, the mixed pair Thierry Sarkissian and Fe Lye fought back from behind to clinch the crucial victory, sealing the match 3-2 in Bath’s favor.
The final, held on Sunday, August 18, marks Bath Grand Cru’s return to glory, reclaiming the PE Trophy they last held in 2021. The team dedicated their triumph to their late clubmate Andy Briggs, who passed away earlier this year and was a member of the 2021 winning squad.
Club captain Chris Garratt remarked, “This victory is a tremendous honour for our club. The consistent high performance, focus, and tactical excellence of every player were key to our success. We earned this win through skill and determination, not by our opponents’ mistakes. Now, it’s time to celebrate—perhaps with a glass or two of Grand Cru wine!”
This achievement positions Bath Grand Cru as the fifth-ranked club nationally and is the first time a Western Region side has won the Pétanque England Trophy twice, highlighting their dominance in the South West. Additionally, the club leads the Brunel League and has reached the final of the inaugural Western Challenge Cup for Clubs.
Current squad members include Dave Ramplin (captain), Mark Gay, Fe Lye, Steve Smith, Samantha Ramplin, Thierry Sarkissian, Oussama Hamdaoui, John Randall, and Chris Garratt.
Beginners and seasoned players interested in joining are welcome; contact Chris Garratt at [email protected] for more information.