Veterans League
A growing number of teams are either ignoring or unaware of the rules about player qualification to play in the Veterans League's knock-out competitions. No less than six teams have so far committed breaches of the rules in the three knock-out competitions. Those adding up to a total of 10 illegals playing in these competitions.
In each case the League has changed the outcome of those individual games to 0-21 which has sometimes, but not always, resulted in the match result being altered.
The most and worst breaches occured in the Sub-Team KO where 4 teams have played bowlers who were not eligible. Almondbury BC B and Brockholes B both played illegals in the same match with Almondbury playing two such non-qualified bowlers. In another match David Brown Sports played no less than four non-qualified bowlers in their 10-man Sub-Team KO team and unsurprisingly, after game scores had been altered, lost the match 64-141 to Paddock I&C. Milnsbridge B played a non-qualified bowler in their match against Marsh United B but even with the 0-21 game score applied still won the match 134-123 and progressed through to the next round.
The Bistro KO has seen one instance of an ineligible bowler playing and that involved the Huddersfield RUBC team in their Preliminary Round match against Marsh Lib but this did not affect the outcome of the match.
Clubs should now be aware that the League is policing these KO competitions so all need to be fully aware of the League Rules for each of these team competitions.
I am sure that some of the breaches have been caused because teams cannot understand the rules. Maybe it is time for a full review of some of these rules as they have been tinkered with and amended so many times that they become almost unreadable. The KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) methodology is vastly under-rated.
Personally I think that any rule which is designed to stop bowlers bowling is a stupid rule in this day of teams struggling to raise full teams and League numbers falling all the time. Why make it even more difficult for teams to thrive or even survive?
It reminds me of last years FA Cup qualifying round when I went to watch Emley get well beaten by Avro FC, who it was later discovered fielded 1 inelligable player.They were kicked out and Emley reinstated so perhaps that should be the action taken in our comps and the whole team kicked out not just the inelligable player. Bob
It’s never good when the team you have played against has played illegal players especially when your club always keeps to the rules and may have been scratching around for bowlers. Ok , anyone can make a one off mistake but the examples above appear to go too far. They are bringing the competition into disrepute.
So, should the rules be tighter to make Clubs more careful? In addition to conceding the individual game why not fine them say £20 for each misdemeanour? I’d guarantee there would be less breaking of the rules. And , if a team did it more than once in a season then kick them out of the competition.
There you are - sorted!!
Just my…