The Cuckoos Mixed Triples 2008

The Cuckoos Mixed Triples 2008 unfortunately  clashed with the Epa Ladies qualifiers.

Contrary to expectation, was overwhelmed with  interest.

A total of 22 team started to play in a pleasant morning sunshine.

The format used was the Swiss System, with timed games of 70 minutes, with six rounds of matches.

Teams from Leamington Spa, Bury St Edmunds, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and West Midlands, plus

many well known local Pétanquers, played competitive and friendly games.

Rain was expected from mid morning to last all day. It come during the second game quite heavy,

and fortunately cleared by lunchtime, with some warm sunshine beating down the Irish Club grounds.

With winners playing winners, no one team managed to get 6 wins.

At the final timer sound coming from the shed, three teams ended with 5 wins each, and 5 teams with 4wins.

The final ranking was sorted by the computer software, using the Buchholz number (BHN),

Spot prizes for the winners of a random drawn game in each round, and the top four  were presented.

In fourth place were Queens Head: John Luke, Lynne Howard, Steve Carter. (4 wins and 22 BHN)

In Third place Snem & Them: John Edmondson, Joe Sheffield, Emma Longstaff. ( 5 wins and 18 BHN)

In second place NSA: Neil Stevenson, Shani Mepsted, Andy Goodship. (5 wins and 20 BHN)

And the winners were Lucky ADA: Alan Newland, Denise Newland, Alan Brockett. (5 wins and 21 BHN)

Many thanks to everyone for keeping the place as tidy as possible, and look forward to see you all again in September

for the NHIA Fixed Coche competition.

As per usual, entries to the Cuckoos Mixed triples and the Fixed Coche is in advance with payment and no entries on the day.

As an organiser, I had a great time in running the event and hope that everyone did too.

Paolo

EPA Junior Doubles/Triples Weekend

Well what can I say, the venue Lordswood in Kent was as challenging as ever, the weather was something else.

Saturday was very cold but 14 junior doubles teams turned out to play, there were teams from across the country we had two teams from Chiltern. Last year’s BPF junior doubles winners Sam Blakey and Reece Gould. Then the new pairing of Max O’Rourke and Amy Huntley. They played 4 round swiss with semi final and finals. Max and Amy did not get off to such a great start, Reece and Sam were playing a very nip tuck game that went on for over 1hr and eventually emerged victorious.

The day unfortunately did not get much better for Amy and Max although it was great to see them constantly smiling and bonding well as a team. Reece and Sam however continued on their winning streak. Sam was not having the best of days but the two lads pulled together well, did not give up and dug their heels in. Often having to battle from behind they fought back to win all but one of their morning games. They grabbed the opportunity of the semi finals with both hands. They both played well, were lucky on a few ends where their southern opponents did not make the most of their opportunities. Our boys realised they had to tighten their game and went on to win the semi finals- 13-7.

It was announced at the start of the day that the winners and runners up from the doubles and triples would make up this year’s England junior squad. So the boys were over the moon. They did however manage to compose themselves enough to play the final. I could not have been more proud as I watched them step on to the terrain. They commanded the terrain and oozed confidence, they conducted themselves in a friendly manner but controlled the whole game and notched up a convincing 13-1 win against their opponents from the Isle of Wight.

Well done to Sam and Reece for such great team work and for showing what can be achieved if you never give up during a game.

All four juniors entered the shooting competition, none played to their usual ability but never gave up trying. All four juniors were a pleasure to work with and to be around.

We had two teams entered for the triples on the Sunday Reece, Sam B and Max, Ben Beatie, Amy and the other Sam. We woke to very bad snow Sunday morning and with it not looking like letting up the competition organiser decided to cancel the event

Cuckoo's Easter Mele

Despite the snow and the cold weather 24 players attended the Easter Monday Super Melee triples at the N.H.I.A. Club.

A nice round number to manage. A five round of timed games was played, between freezing temperature during snow flurries, and welcoming afternoon sunshine. Players from Bancroft, Rising Sun, Lions, Plume, Cottered, Luton, Kestrel and Cuckoos played in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Overall winner was Keith Bettie from the Rising Sun, the only one player who managed to win all five games. Second was Paolo Infantino from the Cuckoos, third Lynne Ciano from the Plume, and fourth Jen Light from Bancroft, all on four wins.

The next competition at the N.H.I.A. Club will be the Mixed Triples on the 27^th of April. The flyer will be out shortly.

There will be no entries on the day for this, so please book early with your payment, as it is limited to 24 teams.

Paolo

THE CENTRAL HERTS PETANQUE LEAGUE

At the 2008 AGM, it was voted on, and past by members,  that the name RHUBARB INNS PETANQUE LEAGUE, be changed and now known as THE CENTRAL HERTS PETANQUE LEAGUE...this was found needed, to reflect the move forwards with other leagues, and to be able to be known as an independant league, without reflecting  the sponsors name.

This was the Harp. It is not a E PA league and is open to any pub or club in the district within a 15 mile radius of benington.(subject to approval by the Committee)

 At one time it was entirely dependent on Greene King who administered all organisation within the League. The League now has it's own Executive Committee that handles the running of the League, while the Rising Sun at Halls Green is it's valued sponsor.

Players need not hold E PA licenses and play with leisure or DOG boules is permitted.

The three divisions were devised geographically to reduce travel, but have now changed to competitive divisions. Teams are relegated and promoted at the start of each season

The object of the League shall be the promotion of the game of Pétanque in the district.

All games are played on Monday evenings.

Along with the normal weekly league matches, we also run a cup and plate competition which is decided over the length of the season, with both finals being played at the end of season finals day, where trophys are awarded, for league and cup postions                           

The League will have its Headquarters at 'The Bell', Bennington.

Any Public House, Sports Club or civic organisation within a radius of 15 miles of the Headquarters may form a Club to play in the League.

Applications to join the League should be through the League Organiser.

Clubs may enter up to FOUR teams in the League providing sufficient pistes are available to allow two matches to be played simultaneously.

At least SIX players must be available for each team entered.

Players are encouraged to register with the EPA, but such registration is NOT a condition of playing in any event organised by the League.

 Attention is drawn to the requirement for adequate insurance cover. This is the responsibility of individual players and individual Public Houses, or clubs.