This week Newport can boast having new Welsh champions within the city.

The Llanhennock-based Wheatsheaf Boules Club have been crowned the Welsh Petanque Club Champions and are now just one step away from playing in Europe against some of the world's top players.

Played over three weekends, the Wheatsheaf competed in doubles and triples matches against teams from Abergavenny, Cardiff, Penarth, Wenvoe and Panteg.

The final match on Saturday saw The Wheatsheaf paired against Cardiff team Monkstone.

The eventual winners of this game would be crowned Welsh champions. The game was played at Monkstone's home piste and, despite the obvious advantage for the home team, The Wheatsheaf triumphed in a closely fought contest, eventually winning 4 games to 3.

As well as winning a magnificent shield, the Wheatsheaf now have a trip to Peterborough to play in the British Club Championship.

Club chairman Paul Rowlands said "This has been a tremendous achievement for the club. This was the inaugural event and The Wheatsheaf are very proud to be the first winners of the championship.

"We will now be sending a squad of eight players to Peterborough on March 18 to compete in the Great Britain club championship. The winners of this competition will then play in Europe against some of the top players in the world"

The Wheatsheaf will start their challenge for the British title against a team from Scotland.

The French game of Petanque (more commonly known as Boules) is one of the fastest growing sports in the Gwent area, with 27 teams playing in the Boules In Gwent (BIG) league last year.

The new season starts in April and will run throughout the summer months.