Carrefour Open Jersey Singles

The Carrefour Open took place over the weekend of 4, 5 & 6 May 2024. Craig Allen went over for the Singles on the Monday. As most of our players are aware, this pitch is challenging with a slope and a hard surface which means that most fires which are pitched short jump over the target boule. Any rolling places also go off target most of the time.

There were five qualifying matches with the top eight players qualifying for the quarter finals. Craig had a tough first round draw but managed to beat last year’s winner from Bath following a strong start. He eventually won four of the five initial games, comfortably reaching the last eight.

In the quarter final, Craig won easily against another player from Bath. The semi final was a different story as he came across a strong player from Norfolk who had topped the group stage. At 9-2 down, things were not looking good, but Craig then pulled out a spot carreau at 9 metres and his level went up considerably, winning 12-9 as the game timed out.

In the other side of the draw, the best Jersey players knocked each other out, leaving Toby Northern as the other finalist. Toby had just won the Liberation Singles a few weeks previously and so represented a tough opponent.

Craig played exceptionally well in the final, hitting every boule in the first six ends. This included one perfect long distance carreau which resulted in a three point end and a strong psychological advantage. He also placed well and this strong play took him to a fairly rapid 11-1 lead. Toby then saved the match from a losing position by placing his last boule right on the cochonnet at over 10 metres. This was the first fire that Craig missed, but he won the next end taking him to 12-2. Toby came back with some more excellent shots to save the match with his last boule on three additional occasions, but Craig came through 13-6 to take the title.

Liberation Jersey Open

Several players are travelling to Jersey in July to take part in this competition, which attracts a few top class international players.

London Open

Craig, Dan and Fred are going to this event in June, which hosts the best UK teams plus some very strong French teams.

Eurocup

We plan to send a team of six to this event in Northern France in November subject to availability and costs.