This year’s State Singles Championships were held on a sunny and uncomfortably hot day. If the weather forecast had been accurate, the event would have been called off. But it wasn’t. Consequently, the conditions were trying for all concerned and several players had to withdraw during the course of the day. Those who lasted the distance all deserve a medal. There will no doubt be a review of the SAPL Hot Weather Policy at the next committee meeting.
The Women’s Singles has, over the years, been shared around more than any other state title. In its sixteen year history, only three players had won it twice and no-one had won more than two. That had to change this year when it came down to a final between two of those three dual winners.
Selina Dally was the winner of that contest, adding yet another unique achievement to her awesome petanque CV. It was a close game, but Melissa Scott had to settle for the runners-up trophy.
In the Open, the numbers were down a bit but it was one of the strongest fields ever assembled in this competition. Between them, the players included the winners of ten previous titles (out of a total of sixteen) along with eleven runners-up. Nevertheless, none of them could stop a new name being added to the honour roll.
It was a close final of the highest quality and Raja Jamaleddine entertained the crowd with his superb skills. However, it was the ever-consistent Vincent Bulone who prevailed in the end and took home the champion’s trophy. This is Vincent’s second state title, having won the Mixed Doubles earlier this season, as he continues his rapid ascent to the upper echelons of SA Petanque. Thanks to the Novar Gardens club for doing a great job of hosting the event under difficult conditions and to the umpires, Brett Williams and Roland Peik.
Download the full report (PDF): Scores-2024-25-State-Singles.pdf