Winter League
There seems to be some confusion about the teams that can qualify to use the 'no relegation' rule in the Winter League. Admittedly some of this confusion is a result of some simple wording in the rule when it has become clear that clarity needs to take precedence.
The first thing to say is that this rule was only introduced to apply to teams from host green clubs. That hasn't changed. So that means it only applies to teams from Milnsbridge, Springwood, Cowcliffe, Primrose Hill Lib, Lindley Lib, Huddersfield RUFC, Netherton Con and Lockwood Con. One view could be that the option only applies to the host club's teams playing on their own green on hosting days. The rule does not currently say that.
Although referred to here as the 'no relegation' rule there is also a 'decline promotion' clause within it as well. The sole purpose of the rule is to enable host clubs to ensure that their key catering and admin teams are available on their hosting days. Any promotion or relegation could deprive host clubs of key personnel on hosting matchdays.
The rule as it stands is open to abuse. It is possible to read the rule as an opportunity for any host club to declare any of their teams have the option to avoid relegation or decline promotion regardless of how it might impact on their hosting duties. In some instances that will be a valid call. The Management Committee will be scrutinising any such occurrences at the end of the season and will be ruling on whether they comply with the spirit of the rule or not. It seems inevitable that the wording will be examined carefully and rule amendments may be made at the next AGM to introduce further clarity into the wording used.
There is always the option for host clubs to resolve any such problems themselves by moving bowlers between teams. This may not always be feasible as it could put team members playing at a level that they are not capable of playing at but it could be an option for the host club to examine.
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General Rule 15 A host green team cannot be relegated from the division it plays in unless it opts to do so. In addition any team can elect not to be promoted but all its players will begin their games on minus 2 points in the following season. Should they again win promotion the following season then the handicap will be doubled to minus 4 points in each game and doubled each subsequent season.
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Two examples of how the rule could be interpreted.
Milnsbridge B are currently bottom of Division 4 at Primrose Hill Lib. This team contains most of their Wednesday catering team. If they were to be relegated they would drop into Division 5 which is played at Lindley Lib on Wednesdays. Wednesdays is the Division 1 fixture day at Milnsbridge. That conflict could deprive Milnsbridge of its catering team. The Management Committee would probably rule this as a valid call against the 'no relegation' rule.
Huddersfield RUFC play on Thursdays in Division 7 on their own green and currently sit top of the table. That team includes members of their catering and admin teams. Should they win that Division then they would be promoted to Division 6 at Netherton Con which is also played on a Thursday. They would be eligible to 'decline promotion' under the current rule. Each team member would then carry a minus 2 handicap for every game played the following season in their Division 7 fixture programme.
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