Charles claims he is the best

With less than a month left of the season, Stan Charles has declared himself "The rightful heir of the boule crown". 

"The rightful heir to the boule crown"

During an passionate rant the former number one also stated that he "must not be forced to play against his will", suggesting he is subject to the kind of pressures normally associated with teenage tennis proteges and 12 year old Russian gymnasts.

Charles has lead the World Rankings for a large part of the season, but as we approach the final weeks he has slipped down to 6th. 

Speculation that being top of the leader board has led Charles down the dark path of fortified wine addiction is, as of yet, unfounded.

New World Number One

With less than one month to go there is a new Number One.....

Catrin Davies

After dominating the extreme boule weekend on the Gower, there is a great chance Catrin Davies could become the first female Extreme Boule World Champion. We sent a extreme reporter to find out more...

1. Catrin, describe in 3 words  how it feels to be ranked 1 in the world?

Un. Be. Lievable.
 
2. You are only just ahead of Rich Waterman - how big a threat is he?
Like the orchid Waterman et al. so lovingly write about, he is the 'master of deception'. You must always have your wits about you when it comes to this guy.

3. If you had to liken your boule palying style to a cake, which cake would it be?

I'd say that the macaron is a fairly safe comparison here. Everyone and his dog knows that this is a tricky delight to bake, and the results can be inconsistent, but when it's good, it's incredible.

 
4. Cat-aerobics - the secret to your success? Discuss

It's only speculation at this stage but it's possible that the development of certain muscle groups have unlocked the key to achieving accuracy of the boule placement. Increased agility is also an undeniable factor that has contributed towards my recent form.
 
5. How would you celebrate being the first female Extreme Boule World Champion?
I think it would deserve a boule themed celebration cake. I'd also be very interested in discussing a 'Cat-aerobics for the budding boule champion' DVD deal.

Gower Gold Tournament

Stars of the game gathered on the Gower Peninsula for one of the show case Extreme Boule Events of the year. Hosted at an awesome cottage, games took place from cliff top to beach.



Various stars pitted their skills across a weekend of Extreme Boule Intensity. Top moments include cliff top battles, rock pool skirmishes and an unwelcome, but extreme, dung heap round. 
3 players stood out over the weekend. P. Cox smashed the critics into the sand  and marched her way up the rankings. She clinched a classic eliminator round and followed it with her trademark 'eliminator dance'. R. Waterman proved himself to be the most consistent extreme bouler, finishing in the top 3 in every game - coupled with some French games, it is likely he will be in with a shout, come the end of the season.
However the biggest star was C. Davies aka Catrin Planet. Winning the weekend's showcase event, the Three Cliffs Power Play Tournament, was breath taking. Coupled with a more than respectable finish in a cliff top eliminator challenge, it is fair to say that the weekend really belong to Catrin Planet

All game results can be seen in the 'Canlydiau'r Gemau' section.

Rich Waterman - "I'm putting myself in the driver's seat."

As the boule season approaches it's nerve shredding climax, we sent an Extreme Boule reporter to meet up with Extreme Boule veteran Rich Waterman. In this revealing, thought provoking and heart warming interview we get the low down on makes Waterman tick and what he really thinks of Stan Charles chances of winning the title. 

Rich Waterman - I'm putting myself in the driver's seat

EB: What are your chances of claiming this years world championship?
RW: I'm putting myself in the driver's seat.

Is is true that you  believe that Darren Woolridge is a washed up nobody who will not be able to win the World Championship?
The 2011 ace is a ticking timebomb - anything is possible when he has his game face on.
 
Gwen Thomas - has been or never going to be again?
Her form this year has caught the eye, but will her gamble backfire?!!
 
Stan Charles, is a rival to the World Crown. On a scale of 1 to 100 what are her chances?
Some are saying the time has come for him to up his game.  But that will just make Stan even more determined - he's bound to hit back at the critics and show them his game face.

"Woolridge? A has been!" - Gwen Thomas

Following on from Darren Woolridge's outburst, another Extreme Boule pro has taken aim at her fellow players. Gwen Thomas, referred to as the Godmother of Extreme Boule, has turned up the heat before the biggest boule weekend of the year by calling Darren Woolridge a 'has been'. Widely regarded as one of the worst insults to use against a fellow bouler, the impact on Woolridge's morale could be devastating. A source close to Thomas stated "Gwen knew what she doing. Woolridge is a player the thrives on the belief that he is a 'is be' - a contender in the modern game. Everyone knows that. Thomas has stuck a knife is his back with that insult."

Woolridge had recently criticised Thomas for a softening of her game and it is likely that Thomas' rebuke will stir up the emotions before the pair clash this weekend.

Gwen Thomas - 2013 World champ?

Thomas did not halt her vitriolic outburst with Woolridge, going on to state "I believe in magic. But NOT in Martin", a cruel slamming of Balance Boy Ben Martin. 

When asked about her own chances, Thomas pulled out a classic double bluff, stating that her chances of winning the title were "pretty low".

It is believed that that Thomas may have gone to a top secret training camp in Iceland in preparation for an assault on the 2013 World title.

2011 World Champion lashes out!

2011 World Champion Darren Woolridge has lashed out at a rival for this years World title. 

Woolridge, in an incendiary outburs,t told Extreme Boule fans to ‘forget Waterman’, a stabbing reference to Extreme Boule veteran Rich Waterman. Woolridge went on to brag that “he will win, it should be easy”, and also referred to himself as the “2013 Champ”. 

Taking aim at another rival, Woolridge claimed that Gwen Thomas had softened her game since getting married, strongly implying that she was in no way a challenger for the 2013 title.

Woolridge: "it should be easy"

 As the biggest tournament of the season approaches, it is interesting to see how Woolridge’s words go down with the other challengers for the 2013 title. A source close to the former world champ has said “Woolridge is in a dark place, boule wise. Rumour has it when he takes aim for the jack he is constantly blinded by visions of a mermaid with a beard, thus distorting his precision. Perhaps this outburst is the precursor to something great - only time will tell."

Player Profile - Pippa Cox

As the 2013 season enters it's remaining few weeks, we take a look at some of the contenders for the 2013 Extreme Boule World Championship.

Pippa Cox

Pippa Cox shot to Extreme Boule fame thanks to her dominance of the Eliminator discipline. Cox's revolutionary style and accompanying sass talk shock the foundations of the sport, like a really big digger. Regarded as having the potential to be the first female World Champion, Cox has shown her extreme credentials in the peaks of the, err, Peak District.

Having ventured to the Antarctic for some secret training, she needs to massively improve on her 2013 record to have any chance of claiming this years' world title.

Pippa Cox - The Facts

2013 - Currently 23rd with a Win Ratio (WR) of 0%

2012 - 2nd     WR - 38%

2011 - dna    WR - na

Odds for winning 2013 World Title: 13 - 1

Player Profile - Stan Charles

As the 2013 season enters it's remaining few weeks, we take a look at some of the contenders for the 2013 Extreme Boule World Championship.

Stan Charles

A pioneer of the sport and revered for playing some of the most extreme games of Extreme Boule. However in the modern era, some have come to see Charles as a relic of a bygone age, playing outdated styles and worshiping long forgotten idols.

Charles appearances in the 2011 and 2012 Championships did not help dispel these rumours. However 2013 has seen a complete reversal in fortune. Revelling in some river side extreme games, Charles has soared to the number one spot like a well maintained airship. Opting for the less is more approach to number of games played he is hoping to hang on and claim, the thing he wants more than anything - the Extreme Boule World title.

Stan Charles - The Facts

2013 - Currently 1st  with a Win Ratio (WR) of 50%

2012 - 26th     WR - 0%

2011 - 12th     WR - 0% 

Odds for winning 2013 World Title: 18 - 1

See an exclusive interview with Stan Charles here:

http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/exclusive-interview-stan-charles.html

Pen y Fan Exhibition Match

Drusillaa's Arms Smackdown

4th August 2013

S Murphy 4
D Murphy 2
D Woolridge 2

Stan Charles - World Number One

After a series of exciting matches ranging from the Sands of Durley Chine to the wilds of Alston via the banks of the Thames, a new leader of the Extreme Boule World Championship has emerged.

Stan Charles has stunned Extreme Boule followers by transforming himself from Extreme Boule has-been to the current world number one. With only 5 months remaining of the season, can he hang on?
Seasoned professional Ben 'Balance Boy' Martin is hot in pursuit along with the experience bouler Dave Murphy. Stan's own mother, Mrs Charles is a suprise contender but if she gets the games in, she could be the World Champion. Emma Martin, the Queen of Snow Boule, seems to be holding out for more adverse conditions before staking her claim to the title. Hold onto your seats Extreme Boule fans, this years World Championship is going to be immense!

Current Top 5 in the World

1. S. Charles
2. D. Murphy
3. B. Martin
4. Mrs Charles
5. E. Martin

Stan Charles, 3rd from left, currently number one on the World

Le Weekend In Alston

These results have floated in....

Le Weekend In Alston

A battle between the legendary Extreme Boule family "The Charles"

1. Mrs Charles  
2. Stanley Charles
3. Mr Charles
4. L. Charles
5. Bob Charles

Middle Chine Maximiser

13th July 2013

Match 1:
B. Murphy 1
D. Murphy 2
D. Woolridge 3

Match 2:
D. Murphy 11
D. Woolridge 6

Match 3:
D. Woolridge 11
D. Murphy 7
B. Murphy 6

Location:Middle Chine, Bournemouth

Balance Boy - World Number One

Stan Charles

After 3 victories over Darren Woolridge, Balance Boy Ben Martin is back on top of the World Leaderboard for the first time in over a year. 
Extreme Boule veteran Stan Charles has entered at number two after a successful time in the Thames Challenge. Depsite having invented the sport this is likely to be Charles highest ever ranking. 

Balaqnce Boy

New World Number One

Darren Woolridge is back on top of the World Rankings! The 2011 World Champion is back in form after a  an indifferent 2012, with fans believing that the "cat really has licked his bacon". No player has ever won the world championship twice - indeed most ex world champions have damaged their extreme boule skills with port addictions or death. Could Woolridge buck this trend? Who knows, but the stats below certainly suggest he can if he continues with his current form...

Woolridge 2013

World Ranking: 1st (as of 27/5/13)

% Games Won: 69%

Opponents beaten: 31

Total game points: 50

Defining moment: That eliminator dance at the Purple Turtle Show down that outshone P. Cox's version

Woolridge 2012

World Ranking: 5th

% Games Won: 37%

Opponents beaten: 54

Total game points: 254

Defining moment: Balance Boy's cigar after THE match of 2012.

Woolridge 2011

World Ranking: 1st (World Champion)

% Games Won: 50%

Opponents beaten: 27

Total game points: 420

Defining moment: Losing to Balance Boy but still claiming the title at one of THE boule events of all time.

Woolridge, Woolridge, Woolridge

At the Purple Turtle Showcase in Roath Park only one name was on the lips of Extreme Boule fans - Darren Woolridge. After a tough 2012, the 2011 World Champion smashed his opponents into the turf, winning all three matches at this spectacular event. Gwen Thomas, the Godmother of Extreme Boule, made her first appearance of the year, but even she could not stop Woolridge when he's in this kind of form.

D.Woolridge basks in the glory after eliminating another opponent

S. Moss Throwing Style

The first in our showcase looking at the techniques used by some of Extreme Boules leading stars. 

S. Moss throwing technique has the classic reverse underarm style, personalised by his own 'relaxed orangutan' technique. There are shades of the 'Elephant Trunk Flex (ETF)' - obviously borrowed from 2011 World Champion D. Woolridge who has used it to devastate opponents morale.
The playful pre-throw tossing of the boule is a preference of S. Moss after suffering repeated cases of 'Doctor Moss' Conundrum' (see Terminologie for explanation).

Seb Moss - the unmistakable facts

World Rankings    

2011 - 13th

2012 - 12th

2013 (so far) - 4th

% Games Won in career - 18%

Graceland

13th April 2013
The gravel dome , Cardiff

Match 1:
T. Wort: 0
D. Woolridge: 3

Match 2:
T. Wort: 1
D. Woolridge: 4

The Battle of Pen y Fan

T. Wort   3 - 2   M. Wort

Having journeyed to over 870m and into the clouds T. Wort took on the World Number One M. Wort in a mountain top battle. M. Wort quickly went into the lead, winning plaudits after using the Pen y Fan trig point as a jack. However a strategic bout of Frenchman's Prerogative by T. Wort and a snifter of coffee led to a complete reversal in fortunes which ended with T. Wort snatching the victory whilst staring into the abyss.

M. Wort launches a shot

Staring into the The Abyss

Cosmeston Lakes Show Down

1. S. Murphy  2. M. Wort 3. T. Wort  4. D. Woolridge

1. M. Wort  2. T. Wort 3. S. Murphy 4. D. Woolridge

Cosmeston Lakes provided the background for a classic couple of matches. S. Murphy took the the first match and all the plaudits after landing a Chesil Sea Dog -  an impressive winning shot played over a good 20 m distance. M. Wort re ignited her claim for the Top Spot in the World after winning a tense Eliminator Round. Woolridge had a disaster and avoided all hosing downs.

Hose Me Down!

D. Woolridge    3 - 0    T. Wort

D. Woolridge    4 - 1    T. Wort

Fans were left searching for the nearest fire extinguisher after witnessing some of the hottest Extreme Boule Action of 2013. Woolridge, 2011 World Champion, destroyed T. Wort over two mini games in the Graveldome. As Woolridge called for himself to be 'hosed down' after his scintillating play, Wort was left pondering the worst start to a boule season of his career - 10 games, no wins and defeated by 19 opponents. The cat has certainly licked his bacon.

The Crooked Billet Dusk Dash

Date: 9th Feb 2013

Location: The Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Common Southside.

Extreme Rating: 3

Dangers and Annoyances: Darkness. Invisible jack. Danger of spilling ale. Uneven pitch.

Results:

B. Martin 7
D. Murphy 4
D. Woolridge 1
A. Worrollo 1

Match Report: B. Martin (balance boy) finally gets off the starting blocks (winning-wise) this season with a triumphant, speedy win. Tossing out a couple of miraculously close double pointers allowed Martin to rocket into the lead leaving the other players confused and stunned.

(An eyewitness account of the match has been leaked online which states that Martin's win might have been due to his imbibing of only a quart of ale whilst the other players had put away markedly more. Other suggestions include Boule Tampering (unproven) and some kind of magnets used being used to improve attraction of jack and boule.

E. Martin - Number One!!!

E. Martin is the current World Number One! Following on from some amazing snow covered Extreme Boule matches in January Martin sits proudly at the top. High peaks specialist M. Wort is close behind and 2011 World Champion Darren Woolridge is showing the world he's back in business with 6 wins from 8! T. Wort and Balance Boy have started slowly but the season has long way to go yet...

M. Wort showing playing to win during a hail storm in the Peak District

Dundonald Masterclass

27th Jan 2013

Location: Dundonald Recreation Ground, SW19
Dangers and Annoyances: Freezing Rain. Dog Poo.
Extreme Rating: 4

----------------------------

Match 1 - Results:

D. Woolridge 11
B. Martin 6

Match 2 - Results:

D. Woolridge 6
B. Martin 4

Two of the game's hottest players pushed aside their Sunday Roasts and battled it out the freezing sheet-rain in a small recreation ground in South London. The game was skilfully played by the run-down public lavatories, giving the game an unneeded seedy edge.

Gameplay was of a high standard, although lack of proper attire soon meant that the boule were slipping from the player's numbed fingers.

Location:Dundonald Recreation Ground, Wimbledon

Southside Seagull Showdown

D. Woolridge 7
B. Martin 6

This friendly grudge match took an unexpected turn when a seagull ATE the jack. An extreme boule first? The snowy weather has made the birds so hungry they'll eat boules.

Woolridge played stronger than has been seen recently. Martin obviously shocked and shaken by both this and the bird attack.

Location:Wimbledon Common Southside

Eliminator Snowmageddon

D. Woolridge 1st
T. Wort 2nd
M. Wort
B. Martin
E. Martin
M. Hopkins
S. Murphy

A tense eliminator round saw 2011's Champ, D. Woolridge take the crown. Men, so shamed by the eliminator dance were seen running off into the woods.

Dangers : Boule hungry dogs

Meanwhile M. Hopkins, only days after winning the title was seen stumbling around the sledging hill with a bottle of ale in hand.

Sledging Hill Smackdown

E Martin 3
B Martin 1
M Hopkins 2
T wort 1
M wort 1
S Murphy 2
D Woolridge 1

An epic match in snowy conditions at the base of a packed sledging hill pitted two previous world champions against some of the hottest players today.

In a pivotal moment in not only the game but perhaps history in general, Hopkins fluffed his winning shot to pass the game to the new comer E. Martin.

2012 World Championship award ceremony

Hopkins receives the coveted Extreme boules world champion cup and treats crowds and housewives to a little playful boasting...

Hail Mari!

A News Years day show down on the Nab in the Peak District saw some classic Extreme action to kick start the 2013 season. Last years runner up P. Cox and Extreme Boule stalwarts T. Wort, R. Waterman and C. Davies were obliterated in the extreme terrain by suprise package M. Wort. Slopes, mud, strong wind and hail put a nice extreme edge on three rounds of boule played on this lovely hill. M. Wort took all three events, including a complete whitewash (in which none of her opponents scored) and sent her straight to the top of the leaderboard! But for how long....

Game stats can be found in the Game Results section of this blog...

Exclusive Interview with 2012 World Champion

"I'm good at aiming, throwing and I'm cool under pressure"

Mike Hopkins, Extreme Boule World Champion 2012. We sent an intrepid reporter to track down the new world champion to find out the secrets behind his success, the problems of fame and the truth about those rumoured port binges...

Mike, can you sum up the feeling of being the World Champion of 2012 in four words?
Pride, disbelief, euphoria, relief.

Most Extreme Boule World Champions end up addicted to port, missing or dead. What are your plans?
After a heavy Port binge in December I've gone cold turkey so am determined to keep that up. Plans for the immediate future are just to deal with all the press and media circus and then I'll try to get away for a bit so I can just enjoy it. Hopefully I will come back alive and then, well it's all to play for in 2013....

"Next year when I'm holding the trophy for a 2nd time I think we will all know the answer"

You won 60% of your games, beating 38 opponents along the way. What was the secret to your success?
I'm good at aiming, throwing and I'm cool under pressure. These 3 elements are the winning combination.

How will you handle the obvious stardom and adulation that will inevitably head your way?
Keep it real, stay positive, stay off Port, put something back into the community, never forget my roots.

In your opinion, where do you rank alongside the other world champions? The best? Second best? Third? Fourth? Worst?
Well obviously not the worst. I guess that's for you to figure out. It's all there in the stats as you know. Next year when I'm holding the trophy for a 2nd time I think we will all know the answer.

No one has ever won the World Championship twice? Can you?
Yes

2012 World Rankings

The 2012 season closed at Midnight on December 31st with games being played up until the final moments. Below are the final rankings for the season.

1. M. Hopkins
2. P. Cox
3. J. Murray
4. T. Webster
5. D. Woolridge
6. R. Waterman
7. S. Jones
8. T. Calvert
9. T. Wort
10. B. Martin
11. M. Wort
12. S. Moss
13. A. Betts
14. G. Thomas
15. S. Murphy
16. D. Murphy
17. G. Face
18. C. Davies
19. J. Cooke
20. L. Cranshaw
21. S. Charles
22. P. O'Brien
23. J. Ossett
24. M. O'Brien
25. I. Thomas
26. E. Roberts
27. C. Walton
28. B. Murphy
29. M. Howells
30. M. Murphy
31. G. Burrows
32. J. Burrows
33. J. Goddard
34. B. Spruce
35. N. S-Moss
36. L. Thomas
37. K. Harrison
38. C. Williams

Awards for 2012 season:




World Champion: Mike Hopkins



Shot of the Season 1: Balance Boy B. Martin landing a 15m kisser against Woolridge in what many people considered one of THE games of the season, The Garrat Park Messacre.  http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/garrat-park-massacre.html
Shot of the Season 2: Jim Murray forcing S. Moss and T. Wort to 'Call Old Westminster' after a supernatural shot to clinch a classic long player http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/murrays-masterclass.html


Game of the Season: So many to choose from, but the Llyn y Fan Fach Cup Challenge pips it. http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/halfway-bouleathon.html

Innovation Award: Darren Woolridge for the Moon Pie technique

True Spirit of Extreme Boule Award (traditionally awarded to the player who finishes 23rd for reasons lost in the mist of time): J. Ossett

2012 WORLD CHAMPION

The 2012 World Champion is...

MIKE HOPKINS

 

 

 

Hopkins held onto the top spot despite a last minute attempt by Pippa Cox to claim the title. A very impressive season saw Hopkins win 60 % of his games including the now legendary Llyn y Fan Fach Cup Challenge (http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/halfway-bouleathon.html). Beating 38 opponents over the course of the season flung Hopkins to the number one spot, and the nerve he showed to claim the Battle of Slop Bog (http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-hottest-game-of-season.html) squashed any doubts he may not deserve the title. Hopkins now becomes an Extreme Boule Legend sitting alongside previous World Champions Darren Woolridge, James Perrot, John Gillard and of course Jon Baptiste Gressier.

Hopkins was unavailable to comment at present (presumably up to his eyes in celebratory port and cigars) but you can enjoy this archive interview in the meantime... http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mike-hopkins-current-world-number-one.html.

 

Hopkins claiming another round on his way to the title

 

Graveldome

T. SIENCYN 4
D. Redy 1
D. Woolridge 0
T. Wort 0

D. Woolridge 3
D. Redy 0
T. SIENCYN 0
T. Wort 0

D. Woolridge 5
D. Redy 4
T. Wort 4

Location:Warwick Street,Cardiff,United Kingdom