Post by neilh (R.I.P.) on Apr 15, 2015 15:23:59 GMT
With the end of the Season approaching after tonight's matches, the next event will be the qualification matches for the Masters final. Before making my suggestions, I want to make it clear that I have the greatest respect for all those who run our leagues and the competitions therein. My intention is only to offer what I hope will be seen as 2 constructive suggestions regarding this year's competition.
1. Last year the qualifications took place over 2 evenings, a Wednesday and a Thursday. As the Worthing league was still underway on a Thursday, I was therefore unable to take my place - no big deal. This year, however, there are 3 players that have qualified who play in Worthing. This would seem to devalue the competition by having nearly 20% of the qualifiers unable to play. If the matches were held on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, this would seem to make more sense. I know there are also several qualifiers who play in the Horsham league on a Tuesday, but the Horsham league has finished.
2. I think the way it worked last year was that the first round (8 matches) were played on the first night, then the 8 winners returned the following night, playing the 1/4-finals and 1/2-finals, thus leaving 2 players to contest the final at finals night. This meant 8 players having to travel to the venue twice. Why not play one half of the draw on one night, and the other half on the second night, thereby no-one has to go out twice. This would look like -
Night 1
Seed 1 v Seed 16
8 v 9
4 v 13
5 v 12
Night 2
Seed 2 v Seed 15
7 v 10
3 v 14
6 v 11
Obviously nights 1 and 2 could be reversed if it suited better. There may be reasons why either or both of the above could/would not be feasible, but hopefully not. As I said before, these are only meant to be constructive suggestions.
1. Last year the qualifications took place over 2 evenings, a Wednesday and a Thursday. As the Worthing league was still underway on a Thursday, I was therefore unable to take my place - no big deal. This year, however, there are 3 players that have qualified who play in Worthing. This would seem to devalue the competition by having nearly 20% of the qualifiers unable to play. If the matches were held on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, this would seem to make more sense. I know there are also several qualifiers who play in the Horsham league on a Tuesday, but the Horsham league has finished.
2. I think the way it worked last year was that the first round (8 matches) were played on the first night, then the 8 winners returned the following night, playing the 1/4-finals and 1/2-finals, thus leaving 2 players to contest the final at finals night. This meant 8 players having to travel to the venue twice. Why not play one half of the draw on one night, and the other half on the second night, thereby no-one has to go out twice. This would look like -
Night 1
Seed 1 v Seed 16
8 v 9
4 v 13
5 v 12
Night 2
Seed 2 v Seed 15
7 v 10
3 v 14
6 v 11
Obviously nights 1 and 2 could be reversed if it suited better. There may be reasons why either or both of the above could/would not be feasible, but hopefully not. As I said before, these are only meant to be constructive suggestions.
