The Pulteney Arms Boules League has now completed its fifth successful season, and it continues to go from strength to strength.
The league was originally set up by Grand Cru Boules Club five years ago, with the aim of encouraging more people to discover and enjoy the newly installed pétanque terrain in Sydney Gardens. The club was actively involved in bringing the playing area to life, working in partnership with the Friends of Sydney Gardens and Bath & North East Somerset Council.
With the popular Pulteney Arms pub just around the corner, it seemed only natural to join forces and establish a summer boules league. It proved to be a winning combination!
Over the past five seasons, the competition has become a firm favourite, bringing together teams who arrange their own matches throughout the summer months, from May to October. The league is played across several divisions, with the leading teams earning their place in the end-of-season knockout stages, culminating in the eagerly anticipated grand final.
This year's finals took place on Friday evening, 23rd October, with three matches deciding the final positions and trophies.
The grand final saw Boulin Rouge take the opening game against Shambolics, but it wasn't to be a straightforward victory. In an exciting contest featuring some excellent pétanque, Shambolics fought back brilliantly to win the next two games and claim the title of 2026 Pulteney Arms Boules League Champions! Congratulations to Shambolics on a great performance.
The third and fourth place play-off was another closely fought encounter, with Loveaboules beating Miles Away by two games to one to secure third place.
There was also the small matter of the Wooden Spoon trophy! This year's honour went to Boules Over, who defeated Just Bouling Along by two games to nil. Perhaps not quite the trophy everyone dreams of winning, but certainly one that adds a little extra fun to the competition!
All three matches were played in a fantastic spirit, with plenty of competitive play, good humour and friendly banter between players and the spectators watching on. There was certainly no shortage of encouragement, advice and the occasional opinion on where that last boule should have landed!
Once the boules had stopped rolling, everyone headed upstairs to the lounge at the Pulteney Arms for the trophy and prize presentations, followed by a well-deserved buffet and a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company.
The weather even played its part, with the matches taking place during a relatively calm spell between the recent storms – a welcome bonus for an outdoor pétanque evening in October!
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a fitting way to bring another successful season of the Pulteney Arms Boules League to a close.
A big thank you to everyone who took part, helped organise the competition or came along to support the teams. The league is all about bringing people together through pétanque, friendly competition and good company, and this season has certainly delivered on all three.
Congratulations to all our winners – and here's looking forward to another season of boules, banter and friendly rivalry in 2027!