31st August 2025
2025 Kernow Petanque Inter-Regional Report
Well, we had a really good time and here’s why…
Kernow have been playing in the Inter Regionals for many years.
At Lowestoft in 2022 Kernow went to play as a combined team with Devon. Effectively, post Covid with numbers badly depleted, we had no full squad available. The following year, we had to borrow a player from Devon, again Kernow were struggling to get the numbers needed. Also in 2023 a new player joined Kernow, he came especially from France to play for us and we managed to field a full team. However, Lowestoft was a very long way to travel, and the following year we were unable to enter due to a shortage of players.
2025 saw the emergence of a different Kernow squad made up of 10 existing and 6 new players.
Teams of 4 became our strength, we had regular coaching and training sessions through the year, our teams worked on their game plans, tactics, strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks to Oddfellows we had a refreshed and improved team kit. Didn’t we look better for it! There was a shared team spirit and the desire not to let anyone down who we were playing with. Communication was a buzzword in our successes.
The size of the event took the newbies breath away and all the wise words that had been shared prior to the event took meaning as the scale of the challenge became a visual one.
Play on Day 1 was enjoyed in bright and sunny conditions. The matches were played on vastly differing surfaces. All our teams had to adapt for each different match and surface.
On Day 1 we won 10 of our 28 matches. We also were presented with an award for being the nicest team to play against – thank you Suffolk Coastal.
Play on Day 2 was a whole new experience. Our manager had to step down for health reasons. Andy Rose, our Kernow President, in his wheelchair took up the mantel to guide us through. The weather was windy in the morning, but not unplayable, by lunchtime the rain had arrived in torrents and the umpires were walking the lines insisting play must go on!
Day 2 saw Kernow win 12 of the 20 games played.
Particularly noticeable was some of the teams tactical discussions. There was outstanding shooting and pointing in several different matches. The ability to adapt in adverse conditions and to varied surfaces was a huge credit to everyone there.
One cannot finish this report without mentioning the social side of the event. The team met up every evening and shared the highs and lows. “Would I Lie to You” produced some interesting truths and lies about our fellow players and being serenaded by Pete Lynas added to the enjoyment for all the players.
We were there as a team and it showed through.
Bring it on for 2026!
2025 Kernow Petanque Inter-Regional Squad in their new kit.
The Teams
Photos from the Inter-Regionals HERE
