Ref.10263TEAMS from across the UK and France enjoyed hot weather and even hotter competition in last weekend's fiercely-contested Sherston Boules Cup.

The weather was scorching and so was the standard of play, and it was nearly 7pm before the winning team was known.

Almost predictably now, the winners for the sixth time were Cassanis. Their captain Roger Norton now has the distinction of leading a team to victory on 11 occasions.

But this year, Cassanis found themselves up against a local side, Hector's Hoose, which may have been defeated, but certainly had the local support behind them.

Karen Myers, landlady of The Carpenter's Arms, which set up Sherston's village boules league last year, said: "It was a fabulous event and having Hector's Hoose get through to the final was brilliant. They had lots of support and cheering from their fellow teams, but Cassanis are a very good side and proved too difficult to beat."

In a first for this year, teams which failed in the quarter finals were able to compete in the separate Sherston Plate Competition, which was won by Brook Nuts from Derby who beat local side, the Douboules Entendres.

The Junior Boules title went to all-girl side Great Boules of Fire, who defeated all-male team SPLAD.

The best-attended tournament to date, around 500 competitors and upwards of 2,000 spectators poured into Sherston on Saturday for the competition, which has grown from 16 teams in 1986 to 128 this year making it the biggest single-day boules competition in Britain

Early on Saturday morning, tonnes of sand were brought in to transform the High Street into 16 boules pitches.

And with temperatures in the 80s, the food counters and many of the bars, reportedly sold out of their supplies by the end of play.

Among those teams competing from across the Channel were reigning champions Gien, Malmesbury's French twin town.

Another local team with reason to celebrate were Les Ecosse, who managed to battle their way into the third round for the first time.

Les Ecosse member Irene Johnston said: "It was a fabulous day. The crowds were definitely bigger than ever.

"Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, taking in the sunshine and watching the matches unfold."

Mrs Johnston, who has also been involved with the organisation of the event, said the village hopes to match or even top the £7,000 raised by last year's event.

All money goes towards local charities.

As well as enjoying the sport of boules, visitors could wander round craft and plant stalls, visit the seniors' handicraft exhibition, climb the church tower, enjoy the flower festival or listen to the Celebration Jazz band.

The children weren't forgotten either a bouncy castle, Punch and Judy, the Magic Man, miniature train rides, fun and games, all proved popular.

And on Sunday, Sherston's week-long carnival festivities came to a successful end with the tug o' war, duck race and teas by the river.

Sherston boules and carnival 2003 chairman Minnie Hulme added: "Everyone seemed to have a great time and I'd personally like to thank the organisers, spectators, participants and helpers for all their support."