PLAYERS from the Essex Invitation Petanque League did battle in the Coggeshall Vineyard Petanque competition.

A total of 30 players from the league contested the triples completion, at the Weststreet vineyard.

In the morning session, only one team, Billericay (Colin and Avril Gorham, Kath Miller) were unbeaten.

The three other semi-finalists for the main knockout were Thorley (Barbara and Ken Kilbey, Doreen Butcher), Bardfield and VSOP (Very Superior Old Petanquers) made up of Ernie Botley from Thorley, Onley Arms' Dave Bird and Paul Charman from the Three Elms.

In the afternoon knockout phase, VSOP beat Bardfield 13-0 in a very one-sided game.

Thorley were also easy winners over the previously unbeaten Billericay side, 13-2.

In the final, VSOP were again on top form and produced a 13-4 win over Thorley.

Bardfield (Ian Ruffle, Iain Graham and Steve Slemmings) defeated Billericay for third place, 13-9.

The bottom six teams from the morning session contested the plate competition.

In the final, Blackwater U3A (Peter Harden, Terri Hardcastle and Sylvia Rivers) defeated Wethersfield (Terry Whiting, Eric Smith and Kim Speed) 13-11.

Vineyard owner Jane Mohan presented the prizes to the winning teams at the end of a very successful day.