The Annual Ship Masters Tournament took place on Sunday 12th August 2012 at The Ship Petanque Club in Keynsham.
This event has become one of the most popular and prestigious events of the season’s calender and offers a high level of competition with teams invited from those currently playing in the Regional Brunel League. The City of Bath Club entered 2 triples teams.
Although the day started with an unseasonal thunderstorm, 20 teams gathered early morning to begin the contest in group leagues which took play up to lunchtime and a welcome hog roast.
The Bath triple of Martin Ellis, Cary Bush and Mark Gilbert fought hard in a tough group, notably coming back to tie a match against the Brunel League champions, The Ringers, having been 0-7 down! In the afternoon, they found themselves qualifying to play in the main event, whilst the 2nd Bath triple, was to play off in the Plate/Consolation draw.
Competition hotted up in the post lunchtime stage, and the Bath team had to show great resolve to come through well-contested and very tight quarter and semi-final matches; both ties going down to the wire with either team having victory within its grasp.
The Final saw the City of Bath team pitched against the home team and previous winners, The Ship, which had the advantage of home piste knowledge of course.
It proved to be a step too far for the Bath team, but not before the crowd witnessed a real contest, with the Bath underdogs doing themselves and our club great credit with consitently well-placed pointing and some vital shooting, particualrly from Martin Ellis who held his nerve in the circle at one or two critical moments. It was a great team effort and is the first time that a team from this club has progressed to the final of this particular competition…..another step forward for us!
As runners up, the team each received a commemorative Bristol Blue Glass Goblet.