Crathes CC- Doubles Competition – 2014

We had 18 entries who have been divided into two  groups, with “all playing all” in their group. There will be a “decider” when the winners of each group play the runners up in the other group  on September 6th (and the semi-finals of the Singles is on the same day) with the two winners contesting the final on September 7th. (also the Singles final). To ensure “fair play” names to form pairs were drawn “blind” out of 2 hats based on players handicaps, with “higher” and “lower” handicap players being randomly paired based on the draw.

Groups and Handicaps

The number of bisques has been calculated by combining players full lawn handicaps, averaging and then converting to short lawn handicaps as laid down by the CA. For example Simon (14) and Brian (24) = 38 ,averaged =19  and converted to CA short lawn formula = 7. Using the baseline of 4, which we will play off, this means that they would receive 3 1/2 bisques. Half bisques, when it is not possible to do an exact division, come into play i.e. a 7 becomes 3 I/2. Half bisques allow you to take an extra turn and play all balls but does not allow you to take a hoop.

Please note that in 2014 all bisques can only be used by the player with the higher handicap with the exception that ONE full or half bisque only may be used by the lower handicap player if the team so wish.

Group A

Simon Robins  (SR) (14) and Brian Ingram (BI) (24) 3 1/2 bisques.

Dan Walker (DW) (20) and Jocelyn Young (JY) (24) 4 1/2 bisques.

William Strachan  (WS) (18) and Vailla Will (VW) (24) 4 bisques

Alex Burns (AB) (20) and Colin Will (CW) (22) 4 bisques

Group B

Robert Bell (RB) (18) and John Usher (JU) (24) 4 bisques.

Brian Clark (BC) (16) and Gabrielle Young (GY) (24) 4 bisques.

Gordon Hendry (GH) (22) and David Garwood (DG) (24) 4 1/2 bisques

Malcolm Robertson (MR) (22) and Mary Robertson (MyR) (24) 4 1/2 bisques

Charles Henderson (CH) (18) and Peter Carter (PC) (24) 4 bisques.

Format

Matches, of one and a quarter hours duration, (the standard time for short lawn SCA matches), will be played on a short lawn at either Crathes or Albury.  As there are two lawns at both venues, on match dates one lawn will be dedicated to competitions.  At Crathes this is lawn 1, the one furthest from our entry gate and at Albury lawn 1 is the one furthest from the pavilion. There should be no “doubling up” i e two games on at the same time on the same lawn so as to avoid chaos! Please note that on Wednesday 25th June two Doubles matches will be played at Albury but on separate lawns and two Doubles matches at Crathes on the evening of July 24th.

Matches have been allocated taking into account your stated availability during the summer, where and when you would prefer to play and times allocated to Crathes CC by the NTS when we can play on the Crathes lawn. At Albury you can play at any time you like but note the dates and times of when Singles matches have been allocated and the full lawn will be required. (see below how to reorganise fixtures)

It will be appreciated that it has not always been possible to meet all your wishes i e some only wish to play at Crathes and some only at Albury but as you plan to play in the Doubles, the randomness of the draw makes this impossible. I have tried to meet your requirements as best I can but given the myriad of complex and competing variables  you will appreciate this is not always possible. Please accept my apologies as there is no way round this but you do have the option of  trying to reorganise matches if you so wish!

Matches will be 14 points i e both balls of the team round once!

Players only play the selected colored ball they choose at the outset i e when it is the teams turn to play either player can choose to play but it must be with their own ball!

– Time yourselves. After time called the team not playing has one final turn.

– Bisques cannot be used after time is called.

– Referee yourselves-but seek advice if an “experienced” player happens to be around!

The winner is the team who completes 12 hoops and pegs out both balls first thus getting 14 points. Failing this it is the team who gets most hoops. You cannot peg out a ball until both balls are Rovers i e both balls of one team have gone through all the hoops nor can you peg out an opponent’s ball unless your ball and that of your opponent are both  rovers. If both teams have scored the same number of hoops when time is called, you play for a “Golden Hoop” i.e. continue playing until the first team gets a hoop and they are the winner. If a match is completed within the one and a quarter hours please keep a note of the exact time the match lasted.

In short lawn croquet with regards to “wiring” you must be able to see, and be able to freely hit, your partner’s ball unlike in full lawn croquet where you must be able to see, and be able to play, any one ball. If you “wire” your own ball it is not a wiring!

Logistics

The match schedule is based on your stated availability. It is fully realised that this will be subject to change so could you please adopt the following procedures when this arises if we have any chance of completing the competition!

If you cannot play at the time allocated contact your partner and then your “opponents” and rearrange a mutually convenient time and venue taking account of the calendar on the web site which will have details of potential incompatibilities due to Singles and Double’s matches scheduled and availability of a lawn at Crathes. given we have restricted times when we can play there.  Note there is far more flexibility in finding a time at Albury. Do not assume that there will be a Committee member available to set up the lawn. You will need to find out how to gain access to Albury when it is formally closed so it will be useful to find out about padlocks, getting into the office and cupboard, eliminating/restoring the security setting and how to set up the lawn! For matches at Crathes, and one of the 4 playing is not certain how to get the equipment out of our “pavilion”, open and lock entry to the garden and set out the lawn, contact a Committee member to find out in advance so as not to make a wasted journey!

It is planned that the fixtures will go on to the web site and the site will be used to “manage” the competition. However it is important at the outset, that as well as letting the web master know the result i.e. winner, number of hoops scored by both teams (and if won within the one and a quarter hours the time taken in the unlikely event that this is ever needed to separate pairs at the final count!) you must also let Robert Bell know  the result and also details of rearranged times . Would the first named member of the winning team listed in the fixtures please submit the result to Simon as web master and Robert  The aim is to design a system that can be effectively conducted on the web site so everyone can know what is happening, including it is hoped, updated ongoing league tables.

You will note that the majority of matches are allocated for June and July so if you do have to rearrange matches there should be time to “catch up” on postponed games particulary in August if not possible before then. All matches should be completed by the end of August and any that are not will be considered as “null and void” and will not contribute to final positions in the league table unless there are extenuating circumstances which should be discussed with Robert Bell. It is the wish of the CCC Committee that if matches have to be postponed due to inclement weather, unexpected unavailability etc, matches should attempt to be rearranged within 14 days. This is to avoid what happened in 2013 when all matches did not take place. Again Robert Bell will act as “honest broker” in resolving extenuating circumstances!

Brian Clark (For fixtures sub-committee)