ANOTHER GREAT BOXLEAGUE SEASON
There was a great atmosphere down the club yesterday. By 10am there were 5 boxleague matches already underway and everyone of them was critical to promotion or relegation so emotions were running high and the effort by all concerned was huge. This is what the boxleague is all about and I couldnt help thinking it would have been great for the big wigs from the LTA to come down from their ivory tower (aka as Roehampton) and come as see what a real tennis club is like because from what I have seen we are playing way more competitive tennis here at CLTC!!!
You will have seen from the volume of match reports that we are virtually all done for this season with just Alex Greenwood holding up proceedings having left it to the last few days to try and arrange and play all his matches and duly annoying the rest of his box!!
We will go straight into a new season tomorrow so I thought I would just let everyone know what happened this season and also explain a couple of rulings I have had to make so its totally transparent….
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Well Rhod Harmes has achieved something his Dad has never done….no I dont mean display modesty …..I mean become Boxleague champion and he did it in some style…well done Rhod. Snowy survives by the skin of his teeth after a classic encounter yesterday against Meryl who is relegated along with Omega who has been renamed Casio (by Chris Rees).
EUROPA
In the WEST Ken East has extended his losing streak to 9 matches now and is relegated. Paul Davies is going back to the Champions League after 3 straight wins. Over on the EAST side I need to make a ruling. As it stands Tony is heading up this box with 7 points having played all his matches BUT Chris Evans is pulling out thus conceding against Aeron and Brandon. With two concessions we normally just scrub all the results because it disadvantages the person who has actually played their matches, in this case Tony. From now on in these situations I will still disregard the results of the player conceding two matches but will give the 1 point for actually playing the match (this is what its all about) to the player who has played the fixture. So Tony will have 5 points which put him second and Aeron will be promoted on 6 points. Brandon lives to fight another day. Chris is down and out.
BUNDESLIGA
In the EAST Jon Hillard out-thought and out-played his nearest rival (Chris Rees) to gain promotion. Peter Fordyce is relegated and will be dropping out of the boxleague. In the WEST Coley has strutted his way to promotion and Rod is relegated although he put up a really strong fight and is not a player anyone should under-estimate.
LA LIGA
In the WEST Buddug was too stong for her box and is promoted. Jon FL and Martin are playing today to decide who is relegated. Mixed doubles specialist Pete Clue is safe on 7 points. In the EAST Joe Angel is conceding two matches so will be down and out. Applying Gaspar’s rule (above) Cathy will be promoted but there was nothing between Gareth, John and Cathy really – well played all.
PREMIER
Very tough division this with the bottom two relegated. In the WEST Paul Senter just pips Elin to promotion on set difference and its tough luck for Steve Tong who is relegated on 7 points along with Paul Cousins who is showing a bit of a dip in form lately. In the EAST well done to newbie Jolyon who won his first three boxleague matches and is promoted. Som is relegated, again with 7 points (this is so hard – who made up this crazy rule????) along with Mike Hobbs
PLAY-OFFS
Two up and down here. In the WEST its two committee members (Rob and Graham) who have had the casting vote and go up. With Aled and Dai facing the dreaded drop. Nice to see Val Dixon has arrested her recent decline and is promoted along with Ivan. After a good run of wins Marion is facing the chop with Sam.
CHAMPIONSHIP
In the WEST its a first ever promotion for Matthew and he is joned by Sybil so a good season for the Upton’s. Alex is relegated unless he can change the website programming in time!! In the EAST that tricky seasoned boxleaguer Dermot is promoted with Maeve and Andrew drops down a division.
DIVISION 1
In the WEST Vlad is all conquering and is promoted but Kim is relagted for the second successive season – time to restart those lessons with John methinks!! In the EAST a closely contested box sees Arfon pip Daniel to promotion on set difference. Ben just cant buy a win in the boxleague and is relegated again.
DIVISION 2
In the WEST He He is promoted and Gafyn faces the drop. In the EAST well done to Alison who wins all 3 of her matches to seal promotion. Chris, after a promising start to his boxleague career, is relegated.
DIVISION 3
In the WEST Patrick put up a strong display winning all three of his matches and Rossi and Andrea both drop down a division. Across in the EAST Peter Bradley made it 3 wins out of 3 after beating Richie yesterday. Vicky and Fiona are relegated.
DIVISION 4
Well done to Jane in the EAST who is promoted along with Hilary. Angela bounces back after relegation last season to win all her matches and promotion alongside Shelley.
Ok thats it. I’m sure you will agree this was another exciting boxleague season and I hope you all enjoyed the experience. There will be one more season which starts tomorrow and ends on 29th March so check out the website tomorrow as your fixtures will be up.
Cheers
Randall
