Team Jersey, sponsored by local creative agency Snap Design & Digital and Integritas Wealth Partners, has broken England’s 24-year winning streak, bringing the coveted trophy to Jersey’s shores for the first time.
For nearly a quarter of a century, England has dominated The Home Nations Trophy, holding the title since the event’s inception in 2000 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. But, this past weekend marked a turning point in the competition’s history as Team Jersey emerged victorious, ending England’s reign with an exhilarating two-day display of top-level pétanque.
Tony Smith, President of the Welsh Pétanque Association, was present for the prize-giving ceremony and reflected on the event’s history. “I doubted whether we would ever see the day when England would lose the competition,” he remarked.
Jersey’s journey in the competition began in 2016, and they came close to victory when the event was hosted on the Island in 2018. For the past five years, Jersey has been the runner-up, but this year, they finally clinched the title.
Dave Ibitson, Pétanque Jersey chairman, expressed his disbelief and joy at the win: “We said we could win it. I’m not sure we ever truly believed it until now.” The victory was particularly sweet as the trophy, arriving a bit battered from transit, was proudly held aloft by Team Jersey, signalling a new era in the competition.
Despite the rain, Jersey started strong, winning every match against Wales while England faced tougher competition from Scotland, losing three of eight matches. Jersey’s battles continued as they faced Scotland in the second round, securing a slender lead over England.
In a pivotal clash between the top two teams, Jersey emerged victorious with a 5-3 margin, going into lunch with a three-point lead. The afternoon saw Jersey dominate Wales with an 8-0 victory while England struggled against Scotland. A commanding performance by Jersey against Scotland and a draw with England solidified their six-point lead by the end of the first day.
Day two brought renewed tension as Jersey aimed to maintain their lead. Both teams managed identical 5-3 wins against their respective opponents in the morning. A crucial encounter between Jersey and England saw Jersey win 5-3, putting them in a strong position. However, England fought back, narrowing the gap. As the afternoon unfolded, Jersey secured crucial victories, ultimately sealing the deal.
‘’Snap is committed to supporting petanque in Jersey, it’s an amazing sport that’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities. It’s fantastic to see the elite Jersey players make history and bring home the bacon!’’ said Tom Le Sueur, CEO of Snap Design & Digital.
Many individuals contributed to this success, including the three umpires, Judy Dove, Elaine Paisnel, and Richard Sowerby, who maintained the scores, along with Steve Foster and Dawn Buckley. The excellent training and selection process also played a crucial role as well as the team sponsorship from Snap Design & Digital and Integritas Wealth Partners. Special recognition goes to Pétanque Jersey chairman, Dave Ibitson, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and upfront in helping Jersey achieve this historic win.
While an open-top bus celebration might seem unlikely, the joy and pride in Jersey’s victory are undeniable. Congratulations, Team Jersey!
