LIBERATION PÉTANQUE CLUB
COMPETITION REPORT 30 JULY 2026
More Than 130 Players Compete in Jersey’s International Pétanque Open
More than 130 players from across Europe and beyond descended on St Helier recently, as Liberation Pétanque Club hosted its fifth annual International Open at the Weighbridge Terrains.
Now firmly established as one of the strongest pétanque tournaments in the British Isles, this year’s event welcomed competitors from 37 clubs across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, England, Scotland, Ireland, Jersey and Alderney.
The weekend showcased a high standard of competition while also highlighting the friendly atmosphere and international spirit that have become hallmarks of the tournament. Players travelled from across Europe to compete, with many praising both the organisation of the event and the hospitality they received.
Liberation Pétanque Club Founder, Chairman and Tournament Organiser Toby Northern was delighted with the success of this year’s competition.
“Thank you to all the players. You all made it such an amazing event. When you put so much time and effort into something, to see so many people enjoying themselves, and even more so wanting to come back next year, it makes it all worthwhile.”
The continued growth of the International Open reflects the club’s commitment to developing pétanque in Jersey and strengthening its reputation as a premier destination for competitive play. With another successful tournament completed, attention has already turned to welcoming players back for next year’s event.
RESULTS
Friday – Singles:
Competition got underway on Friday with the Singles event, which attracted a field of 56 players. England’s Steve Daykin returned to defend the title he won in 2025 and once again reached the Main Final. However, this year he had to settle for the runner-up spot as France’s Jeremy Lemarchand claimed the Singles title. Fellow Frenchman and former World Champion Julian Lamour completed the podium with a third-place finish.
Singles Trophy Competition
1st – Jeremy Lemarchand (France)
2nd – Steve Daykin (England)
3rd – Julian Lamour (France)
Singles Plate Competition
1st – Toby Northern (Jersey)
2nd – Bjorn Vidnes (Norway)
3rd – Gunvor Berge (Norway)
Singles Consolege Competition
1st – Mark Gay (England)
2nd – Trevor Holden (Jersey)
3rd – Virginie Lemarchand (France)
Saturday – Doubles:
Saturday’s competition saw 56 teams take to the terrains for the Doubles event. France’s Julian Lamour and Belgium’s Patrick Neuville claimed the Main Doubles title after an impressive day’s play. England’s Kai Sheffield and Steve Daykin finished as runners-up, while Franck and Sylver Breteche, jointly representing both Ireland and France, secured third place.
Doubles Trophy Competition
1st – Julian Lamour (France) & Patrick Neuville (Belgium)
2nd – Kai Sheffield & Steve Daykin (England)
3rd – Franck & Sylver Breteche (Ireland & France)
Doubles Plate Competition
1st – Jeremy and Virginie Lemarchand (France)
2nd – Nicolas Gayou & Samual Faure (France)
3rd – Natalie Choubrac & Bruno Delafosse (France)
Doubles Consolege Competition
1st – Bjorn Vidnes (Norway) & Gunvor Berge (Norway)
2nd – Zoe Preston (England) & Francois Barguin (France)
3rd – Colin & Mags Montgomery (Scotland)
Sunday – Triples:
Despite some early rain and drizzle, Sunday’s Triples competition attracted 40 teams, with the weather doing little to dampen the spirits or standard of play. Bruno Delafosse, Jeremy Lemarchand and Cyrille Choubrac claimed the Main Triples title after an outstanding performance throughout the day. Finishing as runners-up were Laurent Pellaton, Patrick Neuville and Julian Lamour, while Jersey’s Matthew Pinel teamed up with England’s Kai Sheffield and Jason White to secure third place.
Triples Trophy Competition
1st – Bruno Delafosse, Jeremy Lemarchand & Cyrille Choubrac (France)
2nd – Laurent Pellaton, Patrick Neuville (France) & Julian Lamour (Belgium)
3rd – Matthew Pinel (Jersey), Kai Sheffield & Jason White (England)
Triples Plate Competition
1st – Brian Harris, Stephen Leathem & Lorna Limbrick (all Jersey)
2nd – Keith James, Mark Jones & Mark Walder (all England)
3rd – Alan Mitchel, Colin Floyd & Jim Waddell (all Jersey)
Triples Consolege Competition
1st – Grant Goodwin, Neil Preston, Sandra Goodwin (all England)
2nd – Chris Turner & Stephen Davis (England) & Andrew Limbrick (Jersey)
3rd – Charlie Littleton & Zoe Preston (England) & Francois Barguin (France)
Pictured are: Entrants in the Singles Competition before the start of play; Singles Winner Jeremy Lemarchand; Doubles winners Julian Lamour & Patrick Neuville; Triples winners Jeremy Lemarchand, Cyrille Choubrac and Bruno Delafose