Locals aid in massive win

THE VICTORS: The Wellington Petanque side that whipped their Auckland counterparts for the Chanticleer Cup on Saturday included three Wanganui players. The team (from left): Richard Lawson (Wgtn), Margaret Mordecai (Otaki), Tony Simpson (Wanganui), Faye Doyle (Kapiti), Sue Gurr (Wanganui), Pete Hamilton (Wanganui), Kevin McFadgen (Kapiti), Graeme Morris (front, Masterton), Dirk Winnie (Wgtn), Steve Frankton (Wgtn), Annick Leguene (Kapiti), Bob McCarthy (Otaki) and Yvonne Futcher (Wanganui).PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The selection process proved spot on after Wellington comprehensively beat Auckland for the Chanticleer Cup in a provincial petanque clash at the Wanganui East Club last weekend.

The Wellington team, who included three Wanganui East players, did not have to play the last game after stretching out to a 57-39 lead, which was the final score.

The three-strong selection panel featured two Wanganui petanque identities - Pete (Pieman) Hamilton and Yvonne Futcher along with Dirk Winnie from Wellington. Hamilton and Winnie also played, while Sue Gurr and Tony Simpson from Wanganui were also selected for the Wellington side.

Singles and doubles play dominated day one on Saturday with each match highly contested and only a point separated the two provincial sides. Wellington came out on top, going into the final day on Sunday slightly ahead.

With three points on offer for the triples, the 12-point buffer Wellington had was by no means safe.

However, excellent play by the team from the capital in the early games extended the lead to 57-39 and gifted them the highly sought after Chanticleer Cup.

Meanwhile, the Wanganui East Club petanque adjunct will host its own singles championship at home on Sunday with play starting at 10am.