Inter-Counties 4-Pin 2024

[tommo III]

I am hoping to stage a repeat of the Inter-County challenge next year at the Inn On The Green, hopefully with the addition of two more teams. A date has already been booked of Saturday 30th November 2024.

To be fair to the teams that helped get the competition off the ground, a repeat invitation goes to the following:
East Sussex
West Sussex
Surrey
BUT - if we get the 2 extra teams as planned, it will have to be 4-a-side this time around.

Suffolk are also hereby invited, as the competition was originally planned for their benefit, and hopefully they will not encounter the same problems over accommodation that they were faced with this year.

I then need one more team to make this work.  Reason ?  Having just 4 teams means players only get to play 3 times in a long day.  If we can have five teams all players get 4 games.   
So ...... an open invitation goes out to the following to make the 5th team of 4.  First come, first served.

Northants
Norfolk
Cambs

These preliminary arrangements are based on a similar timescale to the inaugural event: I have worked out that 10 matches for 4-a-side can be fitted in on the 2 tables in situ for the same time as the 6 matches for 6-a-side plus a mere 40 minutes extra. So 12noon start and 8pm finish. I can sponsor trophies again, the same number (20) will be provided.

I now invite your comments. No doubt there will be suggestions of an extra table, and I will take this aboard if response justifies a bigger competition (ie for more than 5 teams). The extra table would also allow more players than 4 in each team. But please bear in mind that if hiring the extra table +/- £80 would have to come from somewhere, and I am loath to charge an entry fee for teams coming all that way. 

Please use this thread to register your interest.

tommo III

[triplex]

I will see if I can get some interest

[triplex]

Yes Northants will take part

[tommo III]

Dec 20, 2023 21:10:44 GMT triplex said:

Yes Northants will take part

That's great, you're in.
Northants will be a welcome enhancement to the competition.
I will provide more details for you nearer the date.

[stevehale]

I’ve put a message out to the other SBBA members to see if there is any interest. I’m certainly keen. Where is the Inn on the Green?

[tommo III]

Thanks Steve,
Hope you can make it and I trust you will include Mr Lillee who has been involved in the negotiations.

This is the pub's website:
www.innonthegreenockley.co.uk/en-GB/

It's quite easy to find by car but not really within walking distance of anywhere ....
M25 most of the way;
Make for Dorking by-pass;
A24 south a short way, then take a right onto the A29.
Pub is on the left side of the road with a large car-park 20 or 30 yards before you reach it.

Same directions apply for Northants contingent.

tommo III
 

[stevehale]

Dec 21, 2023 18:15:26 GMT tommo III said:

Thanks Steve,
Hope you can make it and I trust you will include Mr Lillee who has been involved in the negotiations.

This is the pub's website:
www.innonthegreenockley.co.uk/en-GB/

It's quite easy to find by car but not really within walking distance of anywhere ....
M25 most of the way;
Make for Dorking by-pass;
A24 south a short way, then take a right onto the A29.
Pub is on the left side of the road with a large car-park 20 or 30 yards before you reach it.

Same directions apply for Northants contingent.

tommo III
 

I know of Ockley, having played cricket there about 30 years ago, my brother in law lives in Broadbridge Heath so just up the road from there. Most likely will stay with them if we come up. Jeremy is keen and Dave is as well, I’m sure we’ll be able to raise a side to compete.

[Chris_Sav]

Dec 19, 2023 22:54:25 GMT tommo III said:

Suffolk are also hereby invited, as the competition was originally planned for their benefit, and hopefully they will not encounter the same problems over accommodation that they were faced with this year.

tommo III

Just had a look and the site is showing availability either side of the weekend but none for the Saturday night

[tommo III]

Dec 23, 2023 12:34:03 GMT Chris_Sav said:

Dec 19, 2023 22:54:25 GMT tommo III said:

Suffolk are also hereby invited, as the competition was originally planned for their benefit, and hopefully they will not encounter the same problems over accommodation that they were faced with this year.

tommo III

Just had a look and the site is showing availability either side of the weekend but none for the Saturday night

I think Dave's idea was to come up on the Friday, settle in/get well oiled and then travel back on the Saturday.
At the moment the plan is only for a low-key event, 4-a-side, and Steve already has his own plans.
If it were to take off in a big way, more tables (with sponsorship), more in a team, and a spread over 2 days would be justified - maybe even with the weekend being brought forward if that's what it takes to please all !

[tommo III]

This has now received the Redhill committee's blessing to be billed as a Surrey County staged event.

• Date: Sat 30th November 2024
  
• Venue: Inn On The Green, Ockley, Surrey.
  

So far we have 4 definite teams (Surrey, Sussex, Suffolk, Northants).
And 2 extra counties have expressed interest following recent discussions (Norfolk and Cambs).

If there are going to be 4 teams I can run it along similar lines to last year (5 or 6-a-side on the 2 tables in situ)
If there are going to be 6 teams I will draft in an extra table.
6 teams will be the maximum, but for ease of administration I would like an even number of teams, so if necessary to fulfil this requirement Sussex would be allowed an extra team (East and West).

For further details Watch This Space !

[gandalf the untidy]

Hi Tommo
East Sussex will be there, just confirm how many in a team in due course