Playing petanque is definitely à la mode in Chenies – and there were two Chorleywood teams in the final competition of the season last bank holiday weekend, one of which made it through to final only to be beaten by a Chenies team who were on fire.
“The Chenies Pétanque League runs from May to August, with a cup competition in September” says Paul Jennings, “It was established in 2015. The League is made up of four sides based around the village of Chenies. There are 6 rounds of games with each team playing 18 games over the season. Games are played in the Corinthian spirit, with other spirits, wines and beers available.
The Lilywhites are made up mainly of Spurs fans with the odd Watford fan thrown into the mix. As both Spurs and Watford are now in the Premiership this is leading to some internal conflicts for the Lilywhites, which the other pétanque teams hope to exploit.
Ray’s Great Big Boules made up of players from Latimer, Little Chalfont and Chorleywood. A highly competitive unit with a blend of youth and experience and an outstanding eye for fashion. Themes we have seen over the summer have ranged from foppish Evelyn Waugh characters, through Indiana Jones to Argentinian Gaucho. They bring an element of big city sophistication to us outlying village folk.
River Rangers are made up of volunteer environmentalist with a keen eye on the Chess and strongly connected with the Green Dragon and Red Lion, most lunchtimes and evenings. They bring a blend of experience and experience.
iBoules not only host the competition but they are the side in form, boasting a blend of youth and youth, who said this was an old mans sport. They narrowly missed out winning the league title to the Lilywhites and only after a playoff.
The cup competition was held on the 6th September in Chenies and as with the FA Cup was open to non league sides. The Knock Out Cup was sponsored by Real Club Náutico de Palma, lets hope they don’t notice the trophy is missing. On a bright, warm late summers day eight teams battled for the cup. As with all great sports the day was broken up with an interval for lunch and libation. Three of the league sides made it to the semi finals with one non league minnow making up the 4. iBoules and Ray’s Great Big Boules won their way to the final with iBoules winning a very one-sided match 7-0. As the afternoon turned to evening the players headed home with the season behind them. Time to reflect on a year of ifs, buts and maybes. Boules have been packed away and safely stored awaiting next summer. Before too long winter will be behind us, we will be reaching for that half consumed bottle of Ricard and we will be polishing our boules in preparation for another season.”
Paul Jennings
www.facebook.com/CheniesPetanque?fref=nf
