Winter 2017-18 Season...starts on Monday 2nd October

The Summer season is finally over, so now we can look forward to the Winter season, which starts in less than two weeks.

There will be 22 teams this season, one more than last winter. The two divisions will have 11 teams each, meaning there will be a bye each week.

Brewer St Club have dropped out after the summer, but Dog & Gun B have restarted after taking a break in the summer. The Royal Albion team have relocated and are now Lashings D. It's the first winter season for Hare & Hounds and Civil Service B, who will start in Division 2.

To even up the divisions, 3 teams drop down from Division 1 (Eagle B, Dog & Gun A, Dog & Gun B) and four teams are promoted from Division 2 (Lashings C, Dragoon A, Flower Pot B, and The Fox)

The Winter Fixtures PDF file has been added to the 'Files' section on the Facebook group, and everyone can print or save their own copy from there. Bertie will be delivering fixture lists and blank scoresheets to venues in due course.

We are still waiting for a few teams to put in their knockout entries, but as soon as that is done, we will be drawing the preliminary rounds for the singles and doubles competitions. I'll update on those when I have more information.

Summer Cup Winners...Lashings B

Congrats to LASHINGS B who came from behind (ooer!) to emerge victorious in the Summer Cup Final.

They eventually beat Civil Service A 5-3.

AGM Update

A few points raised at last night's meeting...

The new season will start on MONDAY 2nd OCTOBER. Same format as usual for the winter season, two divisions, play each team home and away. There won't be a specific week for rearranged games in the first half of the season,  just one towards the end of the season. This is because Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on a Monday. So there will already be 3 weeks with no games. A extra week for rearranged matches would mean some teams would have a month with no game. If teams do have games to play, there is ample time to make their own arrangements over the Christmas break.

There will be one week free just before the end of the season, but if teams have more games to play, they will have to play them on a different night.

Ladies singles, mixed doubles and veterans competitions will revert to two-leg matches over a maximum of 7 frames, 3 in the first leg, and a maximum of 4 in the second leg.

The suggestion of a shot clock was raised by Dave from Dragoon to speed up games, but the majority voted to keep things as they are, as match times are not an issue for most teams. It might be raised again in the future if it becomes an issue.

Talking/coaching during matches was brought up by Tanya from The Fox. It was decided that if it becomes an issue, have a word with the captain in the first instance. The 'No talking' in doubles will continue unless agreed by captains before the match starts.

Doubles pairs playing 'out of turn' was also mentioned. If you see it about to happen, mention it. Don't wait for it to happen then claim two shots. Try to keep it friendly.

I think that's about it.

Consolation Cup Winners - The Fox

Congratulations to THE FOX, who beat Eagle B 5-4 in last night's Consolation Cup final.

Civil Service A and Lashings B are still playing the Summer Cup final. Civil Service are leading 3-2 at the moment. They should finish their game next Monday, hopefully.

Summer Finals

Neutral venues have been confirmed.

Summer Cup Final will be played at the Dog & Gun.

Consolation Cup Final will be played at Lashings.

Semi Final Results

Winter Registration & AGM

AGM is next Tuesday, 12th September at the CIVIL SERVICE CLUB.

Bertie has the registration forms and will be delivering them in the next couple of days. I've handed a few out as well. You can also print your own from the 'Files' section on the Facebook group.