Both clubs are immensely proud of their teammates\u2019 performances and the landmark achievement, which firmly establishes the Northwest as serious contenders in the world of p\u00e9tanque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below, each team captain shares their reflections and highlights from what was an unforgettable finals weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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PNW Team 1 – Neil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Neil, Paul, Daniel & Sylvester<\/strong> battled through 12 hard-fought rounds, finishing with a superb record of 10 wins and just 2 losses<\/strong>. This placed them 4th overall out of 332 teams<\/strong>, including a victory against the eventual champions \u2014 a truly outstanding achievement!<\/p>\n\n\n\n People said, \u201cyou have to experience it yourself\u201d<\/em> \u2014 they were right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The setting: a slightly weary Pontins on the Somerset coast. Chalets were small but serviceable, food was fine (despite some grumbles), and queues long thanks to 800 people eating in two hours. The bars became the central hub \u2014 buzzing with a reunion feel and plenty of laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catching up with friends from other regions was brilliant, but just as good was bonding with our Northwest teammates. Even when matches got tense, a quick chat or laugh usually smoothed things over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin (Captain) Denis, Bryn, and Jack<\/strong>. The plan was Denis pointing, Jack shooting, and Bryn and me in the middle. As ever, plans didn\u2019t quite survive contact with reality\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notable highlights included Bryn\u2019s puddle-play masterclass, Denis shooting and pointing like a machine, Jack excelling in both roles, and me doing most of the shooting. And yes \u2014 we definitely played better with Jack\u2019s mum and dad cheering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presentation night was buzzing. Juniors got the loudest cheers, the bar fuelled the crowd, and when PNW were announced as second place overall<\/strong>, we made the most noise in the room. Medals, photos, congrats from friends \u2014 and yes, El Vino did flow<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Huge credit to Neil and Christine for the organisation, and to my teammates for making it a cracking weekend. The big question now: how do we bottle that and bring it back to club weekends? Great fun \u2014 I\u2019d recommend it to anyone next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Rochdale joined PNW, I\u2019ve been keen for us to enter a squad into the inter-regionals. With only two clubs in the region, pulling a squad together hasn\u2019t been easy, so I was delighted we managed it this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Players from other regions have always said this competition is the highlight of the playing calendar \u2014 and now I\u2019ve experienced it, I completely agree. No other event in England matches it for scale, camaraderie, or the social side of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The support within our squad was incredible. On Saturday night, as darkness fell and the rain came down, most of the PNW squad were still out cheering on Team 4 in their final game. Then on Sunday, my team\u2019s last game was also the final game of the day. The whole squad was behind us as we pushed for victory over Southern \u2014 the league winners \u2014 which not only secured second place<\/strong> but gave PNW a 3\u20131 match win over Southern<\/strong>, meaning we beat every region we faced across the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a region, we achieved the highest win percentage of all (67%)<\/strong> and were one of only three regions where every team won at least half their games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m already excited to see how we perform in Challenge Division 1 next year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Team: Ian, Gary, Fran\u00e7ois & Mike (Captain)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Saturday results showed how much progress we\u2019ve made this year \u2014 only losing our final game of seven to a very strong Southern side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunday brought a couple of games where we just didn\u2019t get going, but we still picked up three wins. Among them was a mammoth two-hour battle<\/strong> against East Midlands 4, who went on to finish 3rd. All four of us agreed it was the game of the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our last match was a comeback win over Southern 4 on a piste that had troubled us earlier. We finished 8th in the division<\/strong> \u2014 impressively beating all four other top-eight sides we faced, including Sussex 3<\/strong>, the division\u2019s top team, handing them their only defeat of the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen O\u2019Connor (Captain), Amanda, Ian & Christine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The team gathered early on Saturday morning with the rest of the PNW squad. Following a detailed briefing from Squad Manager Christine Hessing<\/strong> and Neil<\/strong>, Team 4 entered the weekend focused and ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A strong day overall, showing consistency, resilience, and teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persistent heavy rain made conditions difficult. Despite battling hard in every round, Team 4 managed just one win from five matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Stephen O\u2019Connor<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs Team Captain, I can only offer my total admiration for each of my team members, who gave their all and contributed significantly to PNW\u2019s success. Our combined efforts helped secure a well-deserved Runners-Up position in Division 2<\/strong> of the 2025 Inter Regional Challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Squad Manager Christine Hessing said:<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The P\u00e9tanque North West Squad, made up of players from Rochdale P\u00e9tanque and Trafford P\u00e9tanque, took part in their very first P\u00e9tanque England Inter Regionals Competition \u2014 and delivered an … <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nPNW Team 2 \u2013 Kevin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Venue & Vibe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Celebration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thanks & Takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRegional Squad Captain Report – Mike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPNW Team 3 Report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPNW Team 4 Report – Stephen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day 1 \u2013 Saturday<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Day 2 \u2013 Sunday<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reflections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWow, what a way to spend the weekend! It was a great honour to be the first-ever PNW manager at the Inter Regional Championship and Challenge. The experience was made even better by the squad securing a magnificent 2nd place against eight other experienced regions. Even more impressively, our percentage wins were the best overall<\/strong> out of all 21 squads. Well played to the whole squad \u2014 you did us proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rochdalepetanque.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/547242763_1185769046907512_1908272206655803158_n-1024x768.jpg\")
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