This year’s Mixed Doubles Championship was played under ideal conditions – mild temperature, warm sun, no wind, no rain, no hail, no fog. The sort of weather one normally gets at Stirling when there isn’t a petanque tournament on.
As we’ve come to expect at this event, the atmosphere was extremely convivial and sociable – moreso than the other state championships. A bit less testosterone in the air, perhaps, because of the 50/50 gender balance.
The 2018/19 champions are the seasoned campaigners, Wendy Bensen & Alexi Alexi. In a dominant performance, they were the only team to get through the four qualifying games unscathed and went on to power their way through the finals. Wendy and Alexi were both already in the elite group to have won state titles in Singles, Triples and Open Doubles. They can now add the Mixed Doubles, in its third year, to that list.
Wendy Bensen & Alexi Alexi Winners SA Mixed Doubles
The other stand-out team on the day, and eventual runner-up, was the local pairing of Jill Morrell & Quentin Jones. Starting with an awesome performance against a highly credentialled opponent in the first game, Jill and Quentin conceded a total of just four points in the three games before lunch. Then, in the afternoon, they backed that up with a hard fought win in the the semi to make their first appearance in a championship final.
Thanks to all who participated and to the crew from the Adelaide Hills club who helped ensure everything ran smoothly on the day.
