AEBBA events

It's already a mockery, Nigel, I'm just trying to make some sense of it all.

You've mentioned a lot in the past about teams shouldn't be deciding which day they wanted to play on, and Northants B were punished for their stance a couple of years ago. Some may say "good, it taught them a lesson, the AEBBA are not to be messed with" but I prefer to say "shame, we have lost a team."

Now we have a situation the other way round, where teams are volunteering to be relegated and are not allowed to do so. What's the harm in that ? They're not trying to blag their way in at a higher level, or do anyone else out of a rightful place.

Reservations about 'what happens next year ?' are not relevant IMHO. It's now that matters and the number of teams taking part should be as great as possible.

A degree of flexibility is sometimes called for in situations like this. If we continue to alienate and discourage teams in the lower divisions the game at this level will surely die a painful death.

[triplex]

I would like to put the record straight about Northants B.

If i remember correctly B teams were offered in as there were spaces available to fill the gaps on the day.

Our B team was 1 of the few which came on the day, not jus to play Billiards but we arranged a Mini-Bus for the day so we could believe it or not have laugh as well.

The next year with the increase of b teams entering it was changed to a different day.

Our B team would not of entered if they were aware the days would change as they were looking again forward to coming down for a bit of a laugh and give them experance by playing better players.

So they did not refuse to come down because of the relegation, it was because of the change of date.

[NigelS]

Nortants B were not "punished" Tommo they chose not to play in div 3 so there was nowhere for them to go. Yes this is the other way around with Bucks, but the same principle applies IMO. Dave may relent and let them play, that is up to him, and I don't want to see Bucks alienated and chuck it in for the future, but they will need to accept whatever Dave decides and come back next year whatever happens. They have the players to make a side at the end of the day - and that is mens and ladies.

It has been very rare that teams in div 2 get more than 3 games. They did 2005 and 2006 because of B teams, and they did in 2000 when only 8 teams showed, other than that they have always had 3 games since the early 90's in the days of more counties. Division 1 however has always been 5 teams and I feel that div 1 should take presidence and that we always have the 5 teams in there.

I do symapathise and it seems the expectaion of getting the 4 games and having it taken away at the last moment makes it more irritating than in the past, when all division 2 teams knew they were getting 3 games and the only way to get more was by getting promoted.

Not sure what the overall soluton here is, but there is no doubt that communication between the AEBBA and county secretaries (and vice versa) needs to improve for the future

I want to put this to bed Nigel, so I'm not going to give you any more $h!t as there's a big day ahead tomorrow and its unfair.

So the likes of Northants and East Kent - read Nigel's second paragraph and no more wingeing please about making enormous journeys just to play three games ;D ;D ;D ;D

And I applaud your final paragraph about communications. Not a dicky bird was said about this competition until I started the other thread off on the 9th September. For what is seen as a flagship/showpiece competition of the AEBBA, we must start the arrangements off much earlier than that in future.

[triplex]

Me not sure if you know the difference between whinging and making a statement........ ???

Sorry but thats what i thought these forums are used for :-/

Sorry must be quiet in the future and not have my say :-X

Smileys ;D ;D ;D ;D Simon mean I was not being serious. If you read back over what has been said you will see that I was a co-whinger. ::)

[triplex]

i Know ;) ;D

[NigelS]

Agreed Tommo, I think we know what needed in the future and that it is better communications all round. So heres to a good day tomorrow, and I look forward to seeing you all.

[dipper]

Stop whinging, many years ago I played three games of bar billiards in Doncaster, Yorkshire, twelve hour round trip to play for my county and proud of it.

[Sir Chancelot]

Sept 21, 2008 17:28:21 GMT dipper said:

Stop whinging, many years ago I played three games of bar billiards in Doncaster, Yorkshire, twelve hour round trip to play for my county and proud of it.

Bob Chapple's team play at Jamaica !
Imagine going there ever other week !!