2015 UK Extreme Boule Champion

The 2015 UK Extreme Boule Champion is.....

Pippa Waterman

Pippa Waterman clutches the Extreme Boule Championship trophy

"From the greatest storms comes the strongest tuna. But when there is calm, then you see the finest fish."
Old Norwegian Proverb

And so it is will Extreme Boule. Previous seasons have raged, tipped dangerously on the precipice and spawned world champions ,who have risen through the turmoil, and countless administration blunders to reach the top spot. However this season has been, well, peaceful.
Of course there has been some extreme battles, from the Shetland Isles to the earthworks of Dorset, from the wild sands of Aberdyfi to the White Horses of Wiltshire, from the moonlit lawns of Southbourne to the living rooms of Pont-y-clun.
But now there is calm - a serene sense that comes with universal agreement that this years champion is the best of the best. Congratulations Pippa Waterman, UK Extreme Boule Champion 2015!

World Championship 2014 - the deciding weekend

Extreme Boulers gather on Kinder Scout

So it was decided that this years Extreme Boule World Champion would be crowned in the hills of the Peak District. No year long league table, no mini championships, just one weekend to decide it all. A Saturday match and a Sunday match. The winners of each to play off for the trophy. Of course if one player won both there could be no doubt.

Saturday, Edale.

The first part of the World Championship deciding weekend was a game in Edale. 
This was an extreme game where the rules became twisted, where apples became boule, where animal masks were worn as spiritual guidance, where courage was tested and buck fast was consumed as a sailors breakfast. Some say the old spirits of extreme boule walked amongst the players, spiking their boule and their drinks. Woolridge moon pied, Charles hornblowered, Moss Collinsoned, Burrows concubined mistakenly and Wort was pure botchy boule. What of Waterman, the reigning Champion? Well, Waterman won with ease.
Someone mentioned that Waterman had the air of Gressier about him that Saturday morning. The omens looked bad for the other players.

Sunday, Kinder Downfall




The climb up




Charles boules with Kinder Downfall behind

After a trek and a wild camp the players awoke early to see Kinder Downfall flowing upwards - Nature was acting extreme and it was a perfect day to crown the Extreme Boule Champion. Play took place on the walk back to Edale, through peat bogs, rocky ravines, cliff ledges and some of the most extreme terrain available. This was Extreme Boule. Woolridge, Moss, Burrows, Wort and Charles have years of play under their belts and played with all their skills and determination. But it was was never going to be for these five as Waterman was on another level. As each round progressed each of his opponents considered calling Old Westminster - Waterman was so far superior in his play. Almost supernatural you might say. 




Extreme Terrain





Burrows contemplates a difficult ravine shot





Waterman dominates another round






The peat bogs took no prisoners


As the players made the final descent into Edale after a long mornings play, the match was long since decided. Waterman was undoubtably the World Champion. No one can argue with that.




Waterman won both events and the 2014 World title

If you have found any of the language used in  this article incomprehensible please consult the Terminology page. 

New Years Eve Boule Frenzy

1. P. Cox   2 = T. Wort, M. Wort, R. Waterman, C. Davies   6. G. Face   7. B. Spruce

Location: Edale
Extreme Rating: * *

Match Report: As the clock moved towards midnight on the final day of 2012, so extreme boule maestro Pippa Cox made a final attempt at grabbing the number one spot in the world. With the season ending on the stroke of midnight this was surely the final game of the season. This was an extreme indoor match that really put the players through their paces.  Newcomer G. Face showed some nice touches, but as the boule clattered over sofas and christmas trees it was Cox who claimed a sensational victory. However the big question remained... would it be enough for the World Title?

Edale Domination

Date: 19/2/12 Location: Grangetown Weather Conditions: Cold crisp sunshine. Extreme Rating: * * Dangers & Annoyances: Fragile flower pots. Time
Match Result: 1st P. Cox 2nd R. Waterman 3rd D. Woolridge 4th T. Wort
Game Report: This time challenge was a true battle of Edale, as Cox and Waterman dueled for the number one spot, relying on a tie-breaker to decide the victor. Waterman, the Wizard of Edale and current world number one, landed a perfect kisser, but it was Cox's sassy play that won the match. Wort was hopeless and Woolridge floundered like a beached haddock - he was later overheard saying "I've lost it, I've lost it".
Shot of the Day: Cox claiming the tie-breaker in a tense one boule shoot off with Waterman was saluted by all present.

"I kicked your asses!" - Pippa Cox after the game, showing some of the sass that may upset the purists, but will excite the more youthful elements.

Waterman Returns!

Date: 27th November
Location: London SW4
Weather: Fine and crisp
Extreme Rating: *
Danger and Annoyances: Time
Consumables: Sweet Tea.

Result: 1. R Waterman 8 points 2. D Woolridge 7pts 3. T Wort 6 pts 4. G Searle 3 pts

Match Report: On a fine November morning, R. Waterman, a veteran of the Extreme Boule scene, returned to the world championship. Having some of the finest Extreme Boule terrain outside his training camp in Edale, Waterman soon shrugged off the rustiness to outplay and out nerve three of the the current Top 5 players in the world. With a set end time of 10am, each boule played was smeared with tension, with the first recorded episode of High-Jacking. It all ended with Waterman sauntering off the pitch and back to the Peak District with a 4th place in the World Rankings and eye on the the number one spot. Incredible scenes!

Historical Match

Date: 28/5/11
Location: Edale, The Peak District
Weather conditions: Waterproof Jackets, Walking Boots.
Extreme Rating: * * * * *
Consumables: Flask of Coffee, Bitter Lemon, Holiday Bread and Flapjacks.

Result:
Mari Wort - 1 point
Pippa Cox - 1 point


Match Video:

Future memories from the past:

Quite a crowd gathered for the match in the splash pool of the waterfall. Our lips stinging from the wind and copious amounts of bitter lemon, this match was to add a few layers of rust to the Boule set. Some admirable playing from the T.Wort and Murphy was trumped by the just aims of Cox and M.Wort. A blustery victory.