Mid-Summer Melee

The Mid-Summer Boules Melee will generally happen mid-July each year at a date to be agreed, playing for the “Northey Arms Boules Bowl” sponsored by BathAquaGlass.

A Boules “Melee” is when players are drawn out of a hat and play with different partners over a number of rounds.  While players will not play with everybody because of the time limitations, they will play with and against a number of different people.  If you have not played in this event before please do not be put off by the organisation, everybody is very friendly and encouraging.

This is the premier summer boules competition and social event, so we want as many club members as possible to be involved. The format will, therefore, depend on the number of entrants and the number of pistes available. The aim is a doubles competition but depending on numbers, this may end up as a triples competition or a combination of the two. If it is a combination of triples and doubles then every effort will be made to give players the opportunity to play in both combinations. Late withdrawals on the day may not allow this to happen.

For this competition there will be six rounds of games in the melee. Each game will be timed at 35mins and when the buzzer goes you will be expected to finish that end only.  Each game will be played up to 11. Normal EPA rules will apply to the games, playing on a ‘closed piste’ basis i.e. between the lines. Every effort will be made to rotate the pistes that are played on, so that everybody has a fair opportunity.

The draw, based on numbers, will be predetermined and pistes allocated to ensure rotation and fair apportioning of team combinations. On the day, individual entrant’s names will be allocated to the numbers drawn.  It will be an open draw with no seeding. This draw will be made at 10.45 on the day to enable a prompt start of play at 11am. Experience has shown that this intention is often disrupted by late withdrawals on the day or late arrivals, so the organisers may need to vary these arrangements to suit. They may also need to be varied to suit weather or piste conditions on the day.

Each member of a winning team will get 2 points and 1 point for a drawn game. Each member will carry that score with them over each round.  In the event of a tie then total points difference over the six rounds will be used to determine places. If it is a triples competition then the top six scores/places after the six rounds will play in the final. First, second and third positions will play against fourth, fifth and sixth in a single game final, played to 13 points. If it is a doubles competition, then the top four will play on a similar basis. If mixed the decision will be made on the day at the start of play, when the number of entrants is known. The bias will be towards the triples position.

If things go to plan then the BBQ will be at 3.30pm at the end of the six round games.  The final will be played after the BBQ. Estimated finish time 5.30pm.

Play will continue through light rain, so players should come prepared. The food will be organised by the club’s social committee.

The Northey Arms allow us to provide and cook our own food etc. on their grounds for this main event, which brings the costs down but we are expected to buy alcoholic drinks from the pub on the day and not provide our own.