Exclusive Interview - Stan Charles

He was there at the beginning of Extreme Boule and he still graces the game from time to time like an owlman returning to a favourite graveyard haunt. Some think of him as a relic from a bygone era, grasping at port and calling out to Hornblower, but the World Rankings would beg to differ..... Currently nestled in the top 10 Stan Charles could be this year's World Champion! We sent a reporter to find out more from this legend of the sport.

Reporter: You are back, some say from the dead. Who do you think will win the 2012 World title? You?
Stan Charles: I may be back, i may also be dead, but only the wibbly wobbly scoring system of the great extreme-world-extreme-championship-world-wibbly-extreme-wobbly-world-extreme-world-championships-of-the-extreme-world-championship-extreme-boule can dictate an extreme world champion

You are one of a handful of players to play 4 different world champions: Jean Baptiste Gresssier, James Perrot, Grandad John, Darren Woolridge. What makes a world champion special?
The ability to read George & Lynne whilst swigging fortified wine and playing the perfect shot.

George and Lynne - a World Champions choice?

What percentage of your game is mental, physical and spirtual?
1% mental, 99% physical and 100% spiritual. Too easy.

If you had to liken your style of play to an animal, vegetable and mineral, which would you choose and why?
I say Mineral, of course. I'm a trained Actor don't you know.

Ben Fogle - a big influence on Stan Charles

What has been the greatest influence on your Extreme Boule career?
 Ben Fogle wearing a papier mache rabbit head whilst reading George&Lynne and swigging fortified wine is an image that will stay with me for the rest of my short life.

Seb Moss - if he didn't exist it would be necessary for the Extreme Boule Administration department to create him. Discuss.
I believe you did, in a ruse to lull us all into a false sense of security, only to awaken shivering and screaming on the operating table as he dons his leather gauntlets.

Stan Charles - 1% mental, 99% physical and 100% spiritual

Finally, who would you like to play in your dream Extreme Boule match and where would you play it?
Gerard Depardieu, the 3 bears out of the donkey rhubarb video and Brian Blessed in a rolling match, starting at the worlds highest point (the summit of Mt. Everest 8,848m above sea level, Geography fans), finishing at the worlds lowest point (the Marianas Trench 10,994m below sea level) giving a total descent of 19,842m! Extreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeme!

Mike Hopkins - Current World Number One

"If your fellow players don't respect you it means nothing"

Mike Hopkins, World Number One. If you had uttered this sentence in 2011 you would have been labelled a dreamer, mad or simply unbalanced. Hopkins ended 2011 in 8th and was labelled as having 'a rubbish throw' and of being 'no concern' to the top pro's by Balance Boy B. Martin (http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/sw19-balance-boys-triumph.html)

Fast  forward to 2012 and Hopkins sits with the most impressive stats in the league. Having defeated 77% of opponents with a win ratio of 55.6% Hopkins is showing the type of form that made Woolridge world champ in 2011 (see stats below). How's he done it? Intense training programme? Has the magic rubbed off of fellow London boulers Woolridge and Martin? Has he sold his soul at the crossroads in Llandovery? Or exchange a delicious loaf for his boule abilities with a certain lady in a certain lake  (http://www.myddfai.com/lady-of-llyn.aspx)? Who knows - all that is certain is that Hopkins is the hottest thing in Extreme Boule right now. Sit back and enjoy this interview with the man himself....

Q1: How has your life changed since you hit that number one spot?

A: Not massively, I've tried to keep a low profile and stay focused on what matters, holding onto the top spot. It's easy to get distracted with the fame, celebrity parties and yes the groupies, but I know that there is always someone out there trainin' real hard so they can take my place, I've seen Rocky 3 and I don't want to get Clubber Lang'd.

Q2: You're from the same Extreme Boule London scene that spawned the titans Woolridge and Martin. What have you got to say to you're old rivals, who seem to be struggling in 2012?

A: They got cocky, simple as that, it was all about the dollar bill for them and the title went to their heads.

"You can only be chmapion if you are at peace with yourself"

Q3: When playing boule, in terms of percentage, how much is your play Physical, Mental and Spiritual?

A: You need to be in peak physical fitness, and hand eye co-ordination is paramount to accuracy on the extreme boule field (a few ales can help this), but if you're not well mentally (and some Boule players on the circuit really are not) no amount of practice, natural talent and skill is going to help you. You can only be a true Boule champion if you are at peace with yourself. So to answer your question I would say 32%, 35%, 33%.

Q4: You're well known for your accuracy of shot. Do you visualise mythical animals during your targetting of the jack?

A: I don't understand the question.

Q5: Mike Hopkins, the Gentleman of Extreme Boule. Discuss.

A: It's a nice accolade to be sure. Out there it's tempting to use any tactics possible to get the win, but if your fellow players don't respect you it means nothing.

Q6: Finally are there any special moves you've got up your sleeve to retain that Number One spot?

A: My trainer and I have been working hard and I'll be ready to defend the title next time anyone wants to challenge it, but that's all I can say for now.

"I'll be ready to defend the title"

Inside the Stats

                                            Darren Woolridge 2011                       Mike Hopkins 2012

Win Ratio:                                          54.5%                                               55.6%

% of opponents defeated:               84.4%                                               76.7%

% of points taken in a game:           47.5%                                               27.9%

As everyone knows  statistics never lie - Hopkins 2012 version is matching the 2011 World Champs stats in terms of matches won and opponents defeated. However it is clear Hopkins has yet to learn how to annilate opponents and take most of the games points as Woolridge did so often in 2011.

Street Boule

Date: 1/6/12
Location: Market Place, Cardiff
Weather: Rain at night
Extreme Rating: *****
Dangers & Annoyances: Traffic, rain, storm drains, kerbs and parked cars.
Result: 1st T. Wort (3 points) 2nd S. Moss (1 point)
Match Report: Continuing the current craze for Urban or Street Boule, old rivals T. Wort and S. Moss battled it out in a rain soaked match in the dark on the street outside Chapter Arts Centre. Extreme! A close match utlimately boiled down to T. Wort's better understanding of Camber Dynamics and Kerb Trajectories.

Urban Power Play Knockout Challenge

Date: 1/6/12
Location: Kings Road, Cardiff
Weather: Rain.
Extreme Rating: ****
Dangers & Annoyances: Ale customers, traffic, umbrellas and rain
Result:
1. L. Cranshaw 2. J. Ossett 3. M. Wort 4 =. R. Waterman, T. Wort, P. Cox, L. Thomas

Match Report: As the rain lashed down on Kings Road, Cardiff, so the players gathered for an Extreme Boule Urban Power Play Knockout Challenge. Fueled by Artisan beer, the boule crashed and plopped over the puddle rich concrete, entertaining an elderly onlooker . Experience boulers Waterman, Cox and T. Wort struggled in the urban conditions. Rookie L. Cranshaw took the honours and is now recognised as the hottest talent in Urban Extreme Boule right now.