Jaques of London Boule Set of 8 Polished Alloy Petanque Set

Brand: Jaques of London

Jaques of London has been making garden games since 1795, and this is its take on the French classic. The zipped canvas case holds eight polished alloy boules in two engraved patterns, four per side, plus a small wooden jack. The balls carry the company's Rust-Z anti-rust treatment, which matters when a set lives in a damp shed or comes back sandy from the beach. Straight out of the case it plays two against two, or one on one with four boules each.

It is a leisure set rather than club kit: alloy boules are softer than the certified carbon steel used in licensed play, so hard shooting leaves dents on the polish. For lawns, gravel drives, campsites and mixed family games it does the job. Anyone planning to enter FIPJP sanctioned tournaments needs approved competition boules instead. The case zips shut properly but has no padding, so it is worth carrying by the handles.