2012 Season Match Reports

CHENEY KNIGHTS – THE 2012 DIVISION C CHAMPIONS !!

Having led the division for most of the season The Cheney Knights managed to hold onto top spot in the last couple of matches and earned promotion to Division B. 

Match Reports and the original Fixture list are below

5th September  Golden Fleece, Upper Broughton

The Cheney Knights needed to win 4-0 to make certain of winning the Division C title and did just that in spectacular fashion.  At the start of the evening the Knights were on 38 points and their main rivals Thrussington’s Blue Lion ‘C’ were on 37 points after a Season which has been a constant battle between these two teams.  A 4 – nil win would put the Knights in an unassailable lead.

Both Cheney teams; Captain Sam Burdett, Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw and the other three of Vice Captain Richard Wesson, Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley looked like they meant business in the first half with Sam’s team winning their game 13-7 and Richard’s team taking their game 13-5.  Phase one was complete for the Gaddesby team with confidence high going into the second set of games.

Again Sam’s team were on form and special mention must go to Ryan Shaw’s pointing which Captain Sam said was the best it has been all season.  Sam’s team eased to a 13-7 win – his team had done all it could for the Cheney cause.

Over on the other track it did not start that well with the Knights going down 5-0 early on, but they clawed back.   When the Golden Fleece reached 10 the Cheney came from behind to win 13-10. 

Four games to nil on the night and the Knights took the league title in style to go up a Division to Division B.

Captain Sam said “I am very proud of my players not just tonight but for the whole Season. This is a new Team that if we keep together we can just keep getting better. Sam also praised the Blue Lion ‘C’ for pushing the Knights all the way in a very high scoring Division . “It has been a very long season” he said “with us getting to the Plate Semi Final as well as each week being bigger than the one before but I always had confidence in this team.  Even at the end of tonight’s final game when the chips were down I knew I had a Vice Captain who could grind out great results.  We have six great players who don’t play as two teams of three but as one team of six’.

 

Teams

Cheney Knights

• Sam Burdett(c)
• Richard Wesson
• Chris Illingworth
• Ryan Shaw
• Tristan Hooper

 Golden Fleece

• S.Kirk
• V.Noone
• P.Noone
• J.Hill
• H.Chapman
• E.Walledge

 Scores

Cheney Knights V Golden Fleece

13-7; 13-5; 13-7; 13-10  –  52-29

Legs:- 4 – 0

Next event:- 20th October – Presentation Night – Thurmaston Royal British Legion.

29 August Blue Lion ‘C’ Away

On a night when the Cheney Knights were looking to tie up the League not all went to plan.  They lost their unbeaten run – which stretched back all the way to 3rd August 2011 in this top of the table clash against their main rivals from Thrussington.  It did not start well for both Cheney teams:- Captain Sam Burdett, Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw were thrashed 13-1 and Vice Captain Richard Wesson who was playing with ‘Cheney Doubles Winners’ Kev Baker and Jeff Fraine did not fair much better going down 13-5.  The Knights looked to be in massive trouble.

In the second set of games Richards team went down 13-4 in another quick match with all three players not at the races on a very hard Piste to play on.  This meant that if Sam’s team lost they would drop to second in the League for he first time this season.

A great and very tense season defining leg loomed.  The Cheney started well getting three points on the first end but soon found themselves 9-6 down.  After some great pointing from Ryan with Sam and Chris pulling good shots out the bag the game was tied at 10-all.  In the last end a Blue Lion player moved the Coch out the back putting the Knights on for four points – meaning they had won 13-10.

Captain Sam said “This was not an ideal result but by getting the one it means with one game to go the League’s destiny is in the Cheney’s hands.   Next week’s game is massive but I have confidence in my team to do it.”

Teams

Blue Lion ‘C’

• H.Young
• D.Young
• R.Knapp
• J.Hunter
• N.Dorlison
• B.Sonter

 

Cheney Knights

• Sam Burdett
• Richard Wesson
• Chris Illingworth
• Ryan Shaw
• Kev Baker
• Jeff Fraine

 

The Scores

13-1; 13-5; 13-4; 10-13;  49-23

Legs:– 3 -1

Next Game;5th September-Golden Fleece(Upper Broughton)-Home

15 August  Cheney Knights V Black Horse ‘A’

The Cheney Knights powered to a 4-0 victory for the second week running as they struggle to shake off the Blue Lion ‘C’ in the League.  The second placed Thrussington team are matching the Knights week in week out with just a point separating the two teams at the top of the table. This was a night to hold your nerve and the Knights were more than up to the job.

Both Cheney Teams – Captain Sam Burdett with himself Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw and Vice-Captain Richard Wesson with Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley – won their first games at a canter 13-10 and 13-6.

In the second half Sam’s Team powered t 11-3 up.  On the last end Ryan made it a ‘Shaw Thing’ winning the leg by himself. After pointing his first boule straight on the coch the Black Horse ‘A’ had no answer, not getting near it with all six boules leaving Ryan to do another good point winning the game for the Knights 13-3. The other Knights were also on top of their game and some good pointing from Richard brought them victory at 13-5.

Captain Sam said he was delighted with the 4-0 win. “We now have four massive games coming up – two games left in the league and a Semi-Final hopefully leading to a Final in the Plate. Now is a time for strong nerves and I have total confidence in my Team”. 

Teams
Cheney Knights
Sam Burdett(c)
Richard Wesson
Chris Illingworth
Ryan Shaw
Tristan Hooper
Roy Blockley

Black Horse ‘A’
R.Nicholson
M.Nicholson
J.Nicholson
B.Vickers
S.Chenery
C.Chenery

The Scores

13-10; 13-6; 13-5; 13-3 ~ 52-24   Legs 4 – 0

Next Game;15 August-The Forge(Glenfield)-Away Semi Final Of The Plate.

 

6 August Asfordby Amateurs ‘B’

The Cheney Knights ground out a 4-0 win at a very important time in the season and remain unbeaten in the League since August 3rd last Season.

 Captain Sam Burdett and his two players, Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw, struggled in their first game but came good when it mattered winning 13-10. The other team of Vice-Captain Richard Wesson, Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley were in white-hot form taking their game 13-1

In the second half Sam’s team went 8-0 down but pulled it back to 9-5 before getting five on one end to take the lead 10-9.  In a very tense last end Chris pulled out a do or die wonder shot to take it 13-12.  Richard’s game went through pretty steadily to around 8 all at which point the Knights changed gear and came out 13-8 victors.

Captain Sam said “4-0 at this point of the Season is priceless, what with three League matches remaining”.   The Cheney Knights led by one point at the top of the table before this week’s matches.  Sam also said “the Knights destiny lies in their own hands” and was pleased that while his own three were not on top of their game they ground out a hard win.

Cheney Knights
Sam Burdett(c)
Richard Wesson
Chris Illingworth
Ryan Shaw
Tristan Hooper
Roy Blockley

Asfordby Amateurs ‘B’
A.Riley
C.Riley
J.Riley
S.Fairbrother
I.Fairbrother
J.Herbert

 The Scores;

13-1; 13-10; 13-8; 13-12  ~  52-31

Legs;4 – 0

Next Game;15th August-Black Horse Grimston ‘A’ at home

1 August 2012 Queen Victoria Charmers (Away)

The Cheney Knights kept their unbeaten record in the League this Year after a close two all draw against the Queen Victoria Charmers in a tense match in Syston.

It was not a good start for the Knights. Captain Sam Burdett and his Three of himself,Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw were just not at the races losing 13-1.  In the other first half leg newly returned Vice-Captain Richard Wesson and his Three of himself Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley lost 13-6.

All was not looking good at half -time 2-0 down and a change was needed. Captain Sam took the unfamiliar decision to swap pistes hoping to shake up his own team. The gamble paid off.  Sam’s team started slowly but got a 5 on one end and just kept it calm taking their game 13-8.  On the other game some great play from Tristan led to them powered away winning 13-4 to tie the game 2-2.

Captain Sam was very pleased that he changed the pitches at time – a little used option in normal play. He was delighted the way both Knights teams kept their heads up, not losing heart to steal an away draw against one of the better teams in the Division. “This is now the Business end of the season and we need to keep calm and take one game at a time” he said.

Teams 

Queen Victoria Charmers
N.Lander
S.Payne
G.Smith
J.Edwards
S.Smith
J.Snape

Cheney Knights
Sam Burdett(c)
Richard Wesson
Chris Illingworth
Ryan Shaw
Tristan Hooper
Roy Blockley

The Scores –  Queen Victoria Charmers V Cheney Knights

13-1; 13-6; 8-13; 4-13  –   38-33  Legs 2 –  2

Next Game 8th August – Asfordby Amateurs

 

25 July 2012 Bad Apples (Away) Plate Quarter Final

The Cheney Knights marched on to the Semi Final of the Plate Knock-out cup on a hot night in Quorn.

The game started off well for Sam Burdett and his three of Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw taking a 4-0 lead but they let the Bad Apples back into it and at 12-6 to the Home Team it did look like first blood to the Apples.  Sam and his team dug deep and just tried to win each end one at a time. At 12-10 they took three to give the First game to the Cheney Knights. Over on the other piste the Knights of Tristan Hooper,Kev Baker and Roy Blockley did seem to be cruising  up but they  surrendered their 10-2 lead as the Apples took in five in one end and won 13-12.

From one all at half time the second set of games were a very different matter with Tristan,Kev and Roy winning 13-7 and Sam’s Team  13-9 to book the Knights place in the last Four.

Captain Sam said he was delighted and that the Bad Apples put up a good fight and were much improved on the the previous weeks League clash. He said “Its nice to be in the Semi Finals but we need to turn our attention back to the League as we have a massive game next week against the Queen Victoria Charmers and they are a very good Team”,

The Cheney Knights hope to have Vice Captain Richard Wesson back for next week’s game.

Cheney Knights
Sam Burdett
Tristan Hooper
Chris Illingworth
Ryan Shaw
Kev Baker
Roy Blockley

 Bad Apples
A.Frity
C.Frity
J.Simpson
J.Orr
R.Orr
P.Lenthin

The Scores Bad Apples V Cheney Knights

12-13; 13-12; 7-13;  9-13  –  39-51  Legs 1 – 3

 Next Game  1^st August Queen Victoria Charmers Syston – (Away)

 

18 July 2012  Bad Apples (Home)

The Cheney Knights secured their first home win of the season in great style as it heats up at the top of Division C.

Never really looking like losing their first leg Sam Burdett playing with Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw won at a canter 13-6. The other Cheney Knights Threesome Tristan Hooper Kev Baker and Roy Blockley found it harder going 4-0 down in the first end. They kept their nerve to take the leg 13-8.

In the second half Sam’s team were in devastating form without taking many ends to it win 13-1.  Ryan was pointing very well, leaving the opposition to throw all six boules before Sam and Chris came into the mix. Sam’s  Knights experience shone through as they took their leg 13-8 to make sure Gaddesby’s finest took all four legs.

Captain Sam said “at this point in the season 4-0 wins are like gold dust2. He was very pleased to get a first Home win of the season having drawn the previous three. The second half of the season sees the Knights having a run of home games.

Next weeks game is a Quarter Final Plate fixture – once more against the Bad Apples Sam sees the Bad Apples being fired up from tonight to secure victory in Quorn

Cheney Knights

Sam Burdett
Tristan Hooper
Chris Illingworth
Ryan Shaw
Kev Baker
Roy Blockley

 

Bad Apples

A.Frity
C.Frity
J.Simpson
J.Orr
R.Orr
P.Lenthin

 

Scores

Cheney Knights V Bad Apples

13-6; 13-8; 13-1; 13-8  –  52-23  Legs 4 – 0

 Next Game 25th July Bad Apples Quorn (Away) Quarter Final Of The Plate.

11th July Royal Oak Great Dalby (Away)

Table-topping Cheney Knights kept up their unbeaten run as the second half of the season got underway against third placed Royal Oak. This despite a tricky that ran nothing like it did in the Cup a few weeks before – even the Home Team were baffled about how the boules were bouncing off.

Sam Burdett,Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw lost their first leg13-2. Fortunately the other Cheney Knights team of Tristan Hooper, Kev Baker and Roy Blockley won their leg by the same score so at half time all was level. 

In the second leg after a five point end for the Cheney Knights, Sam’s team took quite a big lead to 11-5 up but as time went on the Royal Oak got back into it, pulling it back to 11-10. Eventually Ryan’s two points on the last end were enough to take the game 13-11. The other team were missing Vice-Captain Richard Wesson but still took their game 13-5 with some very impressive petanque from all three players.

Captain Sam Burdett said he was “happy to be this far into the Season and still be unbeaten in the League. Considering the Knights have played eleven games this season and only three have been at home,that is quite an achievement. The Team now just has to keep grinding out results.”

Next Game:- 18th July-Bad Apples(Quorn)-Home.

4th July Golden Fleece Upper Broughton (Away)

Another successful night for the Cheney Knights with a 3-1 win in Upper Broughton as they played their 7th away game out of 10 games so far this Season.

Richard Wesson, Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley lost their first leg13-8 –  they were very unlucky as it just wouldn’t go right for them.  Sam Burdett,Chis Illingworth and debutant Jeff Fraine won their leg 13-11 in a very tense game. Jeff was playing his first competitive game after winning the Knockout Trophy with Kev Baker.

As the second set of legs began the sky went black with promise of rain.  Richard’s team made quick work of it winning 13-2.  Sam’s team took their second leg 13-7 after some very strange ends with Jeff pulling out some great shots at the end of the match.

Captain Sam said he was “pleased to have got to the halfway point of the season and still unbeaten in the league” but said “he appreciated this is where the hard work starts”.

27th June Blue Lion ‘C’  Thrussington (Away) – Plate

Next Game;4th July-Golden Fleece(Upper Broughton)-Away.

20th June Blue Lion ‘C’  (Thrussington)

A mixed result for the Cheney Knights who remain joint top of the division after this top of the table clash.

In the first game Sam’s team of himself Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw were unlucky to go down 13-7.  However Richard Wesson, Tristan Hooper and Kev Baker rolled back the years to destroy their opposition 13-0.  All three players found the form they had when they played together in one of the Cheney Knights Golden Eras. 

13 June 2012 Black Horse (Away)

30 May 2012 Asfordby Amateurs ‘B’ (Away)

 The Cheney Knights kept up their unbeaten run in the League this season with a 3-1 win against the Asfordby Amateurs ‘B’ Team. The Knights went into this game joint top at the top of Division ‘C’ and the result did their title hopes no harm at all.

 Sam Burdett played with Chris Illingworth and Ryan Shaw and Richard Wesson was again teamed up with Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley.  On a very wet pitch each of the the Cheney Knights teams won their first games 13-8.

In second game Richard’s team were beaten 13-7 and with Sam’s team trailing 6-1 at this stage things weren’t looking good.  A masterful five points on the next end levelled the scores.  Then at 11-7 up Sam’s team let the opposition back into it 11-10 and things were again looking shaky.  The Knights dug deep and ground out one point from each of a very tense final two ends t take the game 13-10.

 Captain Sam Burdett pronounced himself very happy with a 3-1 win away from Home, 39 points to 46

 Next Game:- 6th June Royal Oak, Great Dalby  (Away) in the first round of the Plate competition.                       

Cheney Knights

• Sam Burdett(c)
• Richard Wesson
• Chris Illingworth
• Ryan Shaw
• Tristan Hooper
• Roy Blockley

 

Asfordby Amateurs ‘B’                                                  

• A.Riley                                            
• C.Riley                                                                              
• J.Riley                                                                              
• S.Fletcher                                                                        
• S.Fairbrother                                                                  
• I.Fairbrother

                                                                                       

Legs:- 8-13; 8-13; 10-13; and 13-7.  Final score 39-46

23 May 2012  Queen Victoria Charmers

 A mixed night at the Cheney Arms for this top of the table 1^st vs 2^nd clash in the first sunny night of this season.  For the third week in a row Captain Sam Burdett picked the same lineup.  The Cheney Knights started well enough but Sam’s team of Josh Kennedy,  Ryan Shaw and himself lost 13-6 in a game they were confident of winning.  Richard Wesson’s team however won their game with the same score. 

 In the second game Sam’s team were down 5 points after the first end but kept chipping away getting a point each end until levelling the scores at 6-5.  The charmers came back with four points in one end and won the game 13-7 Fortunately for the Cheney Knights Richard’s team again played very well taking their game 13-7.

 So it finished all square two games all and 39-39.

 Next Game:- 30th May-Asfordby Amateurs Away.

 The Scores  6-13  13-6    13-7  7-13    –    39-39

 Teams;                                                                                                

Cheney Knights     

• Sam Burdett(c)              
• Richard Wesson          
• Josh Kennedy              
• Ryan Shaw                                                                      
• Tristan Hooper            
• Roy Blockley              

 Queen Victoria Charmers                        

• J.Snape              
• S.Smith                                                                          
• N.Marsland                                                                    
• N .Lander                    
• S.Payne
• G.Smith                                                                          

 16 May Cup Knockout

The Cheney Knights slipped out of the Leicestershire Petanque Cup in a very close and entertaining game.  At half-time with the match poised at one all the Blue Bell had a very narrow 2 point advantage.  The second half  was just as tense as Sam Burdett, Josh Kennedy and Ryan Shaw fought back from a poor start only losing 13-12 in a flukey last end for the Blue Bell Offcuts. 

 Richard Wesson with Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley lost 13-10 though showing great determination.

The Cheney Knights had great away support in the shape of the Gaddesby Gallopers.  The Knights  now go into the first round losers’ plate competition  which will be drawn on Monday 28 May. 

The whole team wishes vice captain Richard Wesson a Happy 50th Birthday on the 17th May.

Sam Burdett (Captain)	A.Lenton
Richard Wesson	W.Hardman
Josh Kennedy	M.Allan
Ryan Shaw	S.Pritchard
Tristan Hooper	G.Lenton
Roy Blockley	G.Lenton

 Next Game 23rd May-Queen Victoria Charmers-Home

 

9th May 2012 Bad Apples Quorn (A)

A very successful night for the Cheney Knights in a rain soaked game in Quorn as they ran out 4-0 winners.  Josh Kennedy was back in the groove after a year off.  He played with Sam Burdett and Ryan Shaw winning their legs 13 -10 and 13 – 6.   Richard Wesson’s partners Tristan Hooper and Roy Blockley made quick work of their games winning 13-2 and then 13-4.

All played very well and Captain Sam hopes to keep the same team for next week in the Cup.      Sam Burdett

Teams                                                                                                                                  
Bad Apples     Cheney Knights;                                                          
A.Frith                Sam Burdett (captain)                                                                             
C.Frith                Richard Wesson                                                                         
M.Cottrell           Josh Kennedy                                                                            
R.Orr                  Ryan Shaw                                                                                  
J.Orr                   Tristan Hooper
P.Lenthall           Roy Blockley     

Next Game:- 16th May-Blue Bell Offcuts (Hoby) Away-Cup Game

2^nd May  Royal Oak Great Dalby  (H)

Cheney Knights	Royal Oak
Sam Burdett, Captain Richard Wesson Chris Illingworth Ryan Shaw Tristan Hooper Roy Blockley	G. Trolly D.Christmas H. Garton E. Skinner D. Hopkinson J. Roberts

 Ends :- 13-4; 9-13 and 13-7; 5-13.  Total 40-37 (winning draw)