hallamgrange.org.uk

Chris Bagnall · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Now the new season is nearly upon us I thought i'd make some bold predictions for the teams fortunes this year:

Mens 1st Team - Relegation! (the yo-yo team!)
Mens 2nd Team - Long overdue promotion
Mens 3rd Team - Champions
Mens 4th Team - Consolidation

As for the ladies:
Ladies 1st team : Survival in the top division again
Ladies 2nd team: Champions
Ladies 3rd Team: Consolidation

Anyone else agree?

davidr · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 12

Very safe calls there Mr Bagnall. On the whole I agree, but I have faith that the first time will scrape survival on the last day. We must believe in ourselves!

Rick Gilmour · Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 33

The benefit of hindsight. With the numbers of first teamers unable to play the "must win" matches i agree that relegation is the most likely outcome. Wilfs unfortunate illness has added to the difficulties faced this season as he is a key player in any successful season. Second Team promotion to division 3 must be the priority for this season but will only be accomplished if the teams strength is not compromised. From a club persepective promotion will mean that having teams in divisions 2 & 3 makes movement between the teams/divisions easier to achieve without a massive difference in standards - this should support the twin aims next year of promotion for the firsts and consolidation for the seconds. It will also heigthen competition for places in the first team. Division 5 is proving tough for the third team but it is probably the right level for this team and good matches are being enjoyed each week. The fourths are struggling as a result of player unavailability in the other teams and injuries to regular team players.

davidr · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 12

Not often I disagree with you Rick but I totally do here. I have not commented on a few issues for two weeks and I do not intend to do it in public here for the detriment of the club. I can email you my thoughts if you would like.

Chris Bagnall · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

In relation to the first team - I think we can beat Welbeck if Pete plays (along with the remaining next available top 5, which I understand from Ian is the situation). However Rustlings and especially ITI will most likely beat us, which leaves the Fulwood fixture.

In any normal circumstances I think we could have avoided relegation, but won't for 2 factors A) Fulwood, as they normally do tend to rope in all their uncommitted but talented players especially for the match against us and b) we will probably have, as I understand it, at least 3 out of the top 6 players unavailable for various reasons.

As for the second team, I would doubt their strength will be compromised, not because players will be prevented from moving up to cover the first team, but because there are many players, including third team players, who would take a number of rubbers in the 4th division and are more than capable replacements for any second teamers playing up. I fully hope this is the case and the second team get their long awaited promotion.

fabioc · Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 11

Tue 23 June 12pm: STOP PRESS!!! The 2nd mens team is now mathematically promoted! Smile

nsims · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Some talk in the bar last night about whether the 2nd team has secured promotion. This is how I thought the top of the table looked, along with a 'worst case' scenario of points from remaining matches (Pts + column) and Rubbers from remaining matches (RF + column).
Even if the 2nds loose 9-0 against Chesterfield C, they will still beat Barnsley by 1 Rubber, and have secured 2nd place.
Have I missed something?
probably this will be irrelevant by the time anyone reads it!
As you can see this is a 'quiet day at the office'...
Neil

nsims · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

ok, it took me so long to create that wonderful table that fabio had already posted his rather shorter version...