Coulsdon Rotary Club recently held its Annual Charity Boules Championships at The Warren, the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in West Wickham.

Boules, or Petanque as it is also known, is similar to English lawn bowls but played on a grit surface with metal balls which are spun through the air towards the jack, or cochonnet.

Whilst there are several excellent boules courts in the Croydon area, Coulsdon Rotary returned to the Warren for a second time as following the championships, the players and families retired for a magnificent curry served up by the club’s restaurant.

A large group of Coulsdon Rotary members, their families and friends gathered for the event which culminated in an exciting grand final between John Turner and Keith Taylor, the ‘President’s Petanquers’ and Chris Butler and John Anscomb, the ‘Butler's Boulers’.

The ‘Boulers’ finally won the nail biting finale and are looking forward to defending their title next year.

Brian French, spokesman for the championships, stated that “a great time was had by everyone and the enthusiasm of some of the players, may on occasions, have been a lot more evident than the skills displayed! An excellent event with the proceeds being donated to various charities”