Sonya Brown and David Collins took the honours as 20 players gathered at Heacham Sports and Social Club for the annual Open Singles Cup competition.

The event marked the traditional start of the winter petanque season, with competitors enjoying warm sunshine throughout the day.

Brown emerged victorious in the Ladies’ Cup, with Val Wright finishing runner-up, while Collins claimed the Men’s Cup ahead of second-placed Ade Hubbard.

Attention has now turned to the winter league, which this year features nine teams competing in a single division.

Four teams are based at Heacham, three at Knights Hill Village and two at Narborough Sports and Social Club.

Fixtures are scheduled every fortnight, although team skippers have the flexibility to rearrange matches by mutual agreement.

The opening round saw two matches played at Heacham and another at Knights Hill Village, while the fourth fixture, due to take place at Narborough, was rearranged for November 8.

There was plenty of local rivalry in the first round, with Heacham’s Forty Oners edging out neighbours Centenary Committee in a closely contested encounter.

Forty Oners eventually secured a narrow 4-3 victory to make a winning start to their winter campaign.

It was a more difficult opening day for fellow Heacham side Strikers, who suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat against visiting Narborough Stingrays.

The visitors proved too strong throughout the contest, leaving Strikers looking to bounce back when the next round of fixtures takes place.

Another closely fought local derby unfolded at Knights Hill Village, where Dire Straits claimed a 4-3 victory over Deadly Knighshades.

The narrow result underlined what promises to be a competitive winter season, with teams battling for points across the three venues.

Round two of the winter league is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, with matches taking place at Heacham, Knights Hill Village and Narborough.

All fixtures are due to begin at 10am.