Play-off

[Steve Butler]

Following the refusal of the Wollaton RBL team to play their match against Mapperley Community Centre, discussions have taken place between Arnold B, Mapperley and all Committee members.  It was unanimously agreed that in order to decide 2nd and 3rd places in division 2:

A Play-off will be held on Tuesday 1st April 2008

between

Arnold Civil Defence "B" v Mapperley Community Centre

In the event of a draw a replay will be held on

Tuesday 8th April 2008

May the best team win!

[Mike Langdon]

I'm surprised Mapperley have agreed to a play off when they have done nothing wrong? I mean a win against Wollaton looked reasonably straight forward but against Arnold 'B'  hmmm

As far as i could see if Wollaton refused to play the rearranged match the only result possible was to award Mapperley the win and promotion.

I presume the Mapperley v Wollaton match has now been declared (unfairly in my opinion) a draw?

Mike

[Steve Butler]

Geoff Merry actually suggested a play-off to me when I spoke to him on the phone, before I even had chance to mention the idea.

I agree that Mapperley have done nothing wrong but neither have Arnold B so it's unfair to penalise either team by awarding the match to anyone.

Everybody involved agreed that the issue should be resolved on the snooker table, not at a meeting.  This was the only way that we could achieve this, other than Wollaton playing the match (which they have stated they will not do).

The Mapperley v Wollaton match will remain unplayed and therefore no result will be 'declared' for that match.  I will append a note to the final league table to make it clear that 2nd and 3rd places were decided by a play-off.

There are some positives to come out of this:

1.  Arnold B & Mapperley (in particular Alan & Geoff) have showed themselves to be true sportsmen and behaved with dignity and co-operation throughout.  They want the league positions to be decided on snooker ability which is how it should be.  They should be commended for their positive attitude.

2.  It has highlighted the need for a general expansion and tightening up of the league rules so that occurances like this can be dealt with in accordance with a pre-defined set of rules in future.

[Mike Langdon]

fair enough and i'm glad to see that the matter will be sorted on the snooker table (as you know I'm against 8 nils being handed out anyway) but I think it's a poor show that Wollaton are refusing to play the match as it makes a mockery out of the whole idea of a league...ie Arnold got to play Wollaton twice whilst Mapperley only once???

Yes I know Wollaton say their players are on holiday but I'm sorry, I do not buy into the fact that they are unable to put out a team sometime over the next three/four weeks and I think the league should have stated in stronger terms that this match due to it's importance has to be played.

As you mentioned both Geoff and Alan should be commended on agreeing to a play-off when it is neither of their fault that Wollaton are being so petty.

I would like to put forward for the next AGM that the 8-0 walkover is scrapped and replaced by the docking of points and perhaps as i suggested the forefit of 2 frames in the rearranged match.

Any team who fails to complete their matches for the season will start the next campaign at -2 points.

Mike