FORUM CLOSING ON 14th JANUARY

Looking good for the National Finals now - John has asked me to post the following message:

The top 3 teams all qualify (initially they said all youth teams qualify and I’m checking this now)


A Team – Qualified. Well done to those who have played. We’ve had a few good comebacks along the way!!

B Team – Situation is simple. Beat Wiltshire to qualify. A positive frame difference of 22 over Berks C (who also have only Wiltshire to play) means any win should do it.

Ladies – Again simple. Beat Wiltshire to qualify.

Youth – Wiltshire’s last 2 games are Berkshire and us. They won’t get near Berkshire so just avoid heavy defeat to guarantee qualification. (As I said early I think you have anyway)


County Finals are Fri 3rd, Sat 4th and Sun 5th of March 2006 in Selsey. Obviously much of this is subject to qualification but it looks good for all teams. We usually go down and stay on the Thursday night. There are flyers in the evening and the tables are usually available for practise during Thursday afternoon. Matches start at 9am on Friday. Sunday is team semi finals onwards and singles quarters onwards so depending on success, Sunday could be a short day!!


I realise it is hard for some people to know work wise whether they will be available but I will need to know peoples availability by 3rd February. If you are unsure just give us a ring (07880 723844). It is my intention (with the mens) to take only 19/20 designated players (for two teams of 9). This is to ensure no one ends up playing only a handful of frames. If you go as a team player, you’ll be required to play a fair few frames!! Anyone is welcome to come for the weekend (friends, family, supporters ect) and even if not selected for the team events the National Singles (Men’s and a Women’s) events are open to anyone who comes as are the flyers – but I will need notice and monies ect up front!! Cost wise I can only estimate at this time. Last year the accommodation (in caravans so bring a heater!!) was £45 for the 3 nights so I’d estimate around £50. The national singles is usually between £5 -£10 to enter (optional). Travel expense is between you and your drivers/cars (I’d estimate £12-15)



22nd January - ‘A’ Team Away vs. Somerset

TBA - Full fixture vs. Wiltshire (Colours pool Club) (5th Feb at latest)

3rd February - Last day to tell either Ash or Myself if you are provisionally available/unavailable for Nationals

5th February - Team Selection will have been completed.

5th February - Squad Day (Provisionally)

12th February - All monies ect to have been paid



Retention marks for current players – The current situation does not reward players for good performances at nationals which is poor. With this in mind the following changes have been made. I realise making a change half way through a season may seam strange but I do believe it is in everyone’s favour and is fairer in the long run. The standard at Nationals is far higher than in qualifying and good performances should be noted.


Previous Rule: Score 30 points (or team equivalent) in the qualifying season


New Rule: To be a retained player you must satisfy any one of the following points:
1) Score 30 points (or team equivalent) in the qualifying season (Based on 8 Fixtures),
2) Score 18 or more points at national finals AND have a win percentage of 55% or above, or 3) Reach the quarter finals or better at the national singles event.


Any youth satisfying the above criteria for his/her youth side in their FINAL year as a youth will automatically qualify for men’s squad the following year.


Thanks



John Kinsey

OCPF Manager



-- Edited by The Pool Shark at 17:09, 2006-01-05

Yeah, I think John's aware of that - looks like it's going to be a busy day up there!

Don't see why it should be as that date would have been booked way before the EPA season started so if any one should move / rearrange it should be them !

Beefy wrote:

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Don't see why it should be as that date would have been booked way before the EPA season started so if any one should move / rearrange it should be them !

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Calm down Beefy all that tension is no good for you. 

I wasn't turning this into an EPA vs BAPTO thing.

The EPA County dates are the same weekend every year so with regards to notice given, I think you might lose out on that one.

The mix up is probably down to Mr Millars well used calendar.  I think he needs to promote Kieran to his PA.

When do you need the money for the Finals? How much? (apologies if you have alread said this!)

 

The Pool Shark wrote:

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I can see an upstairs/downstairs split being the best way forward? That'll mean we have the 'crap' tables though unfortunately.

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Have to disagree there Ash as there are supreme tables downstairs next to the match table and so we could use them and have the squad day matches on the match table and the crap table next to it ! Nothing wrong with the other tables downstairs on Monday night.....

We played on one table at Somerset and although it meant a long day the support from the rest of the team is much better !

A for and gainst one tble maybe...........

Personally I think two tables is nice as it flows but it can often mean you only get to watch 3 of the 9 games in each session. (2 you play in + 1 ref and at the same time 3 games are missed on the adjacent table.)

Not saying I want a game to last 5 hours but the support you get is better as all 8 of your team mates are watching your game as opposed to just 5 watching 2 tables when there are dual tables ! 

It will be interesting to see how playing on only three tables works at it should allow the rest of the players and other squad members to really support the team. I think we benefited from this in Somerset when the A's only played on 1 table there.

You're playing all 27 frames on your own.  Should give you a fair chance of getting 30 points....

There's a new rule, any points you get over 30 counts towards next season.  so Kevin is guarenteed a place in 2007!

You probably won't see me on Sunday.  Not one for spectating pool!

Nope.

Yes, yours.  We've got a dirty weekend planned.

Barney wrote:

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Yes, yours.  We've got a dirty weekend planned.

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        &                                   

I'm into all the modern Goth bands.

The Pool Shark wrote:

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A word of warning for those who have not been to the Finals before. THE CARAVANS ARE FREEZING! Bearing in mind the cold snap at the moment, I advise you take plenty of warm clothes, duvets, heaters or you're gonna freeze your asses off at night!

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Our caravan was nice and warm last year   Beefys got a lovely heater that heated the whole caravan