IN A THRILLING GAME, coming down to the last boule, Team Xavier-Eric-JP rallied to win the FPUSA World Championship Qualification Tournament against Team Alec-Ti-PJ after being down 7-12.

The rain and drizzle of Saturday’s qualify rounds turned into rain and heavier rain for most of the finals on Sunday. The eight teams in the finals included Team Narin-Erin-Barbara (Sonama), Team Ed-Frank-Joe (Sonama-Portland), Team Marmary-Juan-Peter (Boca-Sonoma), Team Franck-Philippe-JPH (NY), Team Joe-Van-Desmon (Portland), and Team Andre-Mark-Mia (Maine), along with the 2 teams in the finals.

The sun finally broke through before the final, just in time to witness one of the most tense finals we’ve had in years.

Team Alec scored the first 2 points. It was immediately answered by Team Xavier’s 3 points. After a null round—the bouchon being accidentaly shot out—Team Alec took 5 points to lead 7-2. The lead would not hold. But game swung again in favor of Team Alec 12-7, only to have Team Xavier methodically come back to tie it at 12-12

Both Alec and JP pointed great, each outdoing each other in the final frame. But it was Eric’s last boule, a long point to push out the PJ’s winning point on the ground. A slight tap and Team Xavier had 2 points on the ground. Ti couldn’t shoot for the game and his point sailed long to give the victory to Team Xavier 13-12.

Scoring line: 2-0, 2-3, null, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7, 8-7, 10-7, 12-7, 12-8, 12-10, 12-12, 12-13.

• 1st: Xavier Thibaud, Jean-Pierre Subrenat, Eric Bertin
• 2nd: Alec Stone Sweet, Richard “Ti” Meas, PJ Malette
• 3rd: Peter Mathis, Juan Garcia, Mamary Couli-Baly
• 3rd: Andre Strong, Mark Kindschi, Mia Kanazawa

For a fuller account of the day and game, check out FPUSA President Joe Martin’s post at the FPUSA Blog, A tournament in Manhattan’s Bryant Park, is like no other..

• Photos of the event from Juan Garcia

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