Hi everyone,

As I'm sure most of you are aware there are several clubs that have struggled this year to get 12 players for league games. In my opinion it is essential that we do all we can to keep as many teams in the league as possible. 

I have given it some thought and have come up with a "draft" proposal (below) and would like to here your thoughts and any possible alternative suggestions. 

1. A team can use any number of bowlers from 8-12 to make a team of two fours and two pairs

2. Anybody playing in both games (fours and pairs) can only bowl in positions 1 or 2 in the fours.

3. Nobody is permitted to bowl on the same mat twice

I don't believe that there would be many (if any) teams that would use this to select their 8 best bowlers if there are people sitting out. If they do then so be it, as I said I think it is more important to keep teams in the league.

By introducing this we should keep all current league teams in and I am hopeful that we may be able to entice Bramfield, Redbourne and even Hunsdon back in. As some of you may know I've helped set up a new club at Anstey, they are keen to join the league and the above would help them out too. 

The other benefit of this is that for clubs who are lucky enough to have 16+ members they may be able to have two teams which will not only mean all their members get the benefit of playing competitive bowls but it means we all get to play more league bowls as there will be more clubs in the league. Who knows if it's really successful and we get those clubs back in and a couple of clubs are able to put forward two teams we might even eventually get back to three divisions.

As I said I'm really interested to hear everyone's ideas and would welcome improvements on my proposal above.

Thanks

Pete

I agree in principal with this suggestion and cannot see any immediate improvements that could be made. As for the future,  if more people start to join clubs and numbers swell then the format could always be revisted. 

yes i agree think it is a good suggestion as we must try to encourage more bowling be a shame to lose more clubs as we dont play enough as it is

Hello

Seems good to me but one question

If a club does have enough members to make 2 teams  (Team A and  team B)  does that mean they play against each other in the league?

Hello

Not sure about that Craig H

Puts those who genuinely cannot field 12 players at a big disadvantage

Prefer the first option Think that will work well

Thanks for the replies all.

Firstly, Alan yes. If the two teams are in the same league they would play against each other. It has happened before (although a long time ago), we had two teams at Hertford Heath.

It would seem the general consensus (so far) is that we need to introduce this, possibly with a tweak here or there. Interested to hear what other people think on this.....

You could even reduce the required number of players to 6 by playing a four and a pair in each half, and to avoid playing on the same mat twice simply play the same four and pair on opposite mats, albeit in a different order so one player cannot skip twice. This could help clubs to field two teams with smaller squads, reduce postponements and encourage clubs back into the league who aren't sure they can field 8 players.

Hello

What a lot of great idears BUT we need to make sure we don't go to far before somebody suggests just taking 4 Players and playing 4 Singles 

Having spoken to my members one of the other things to consider is distance

Can alway get a full team (!2) for local matches IE Hertford Heath,Stanstead Abbots,Little Hadham,Essendon Etc  

When it comes to  Bedmond,Shenley, Redbourn and others that distance, forget it!! Many of my members are not prepared to travel these distance's late at night, perhaps even in snow and icy conditions 

I  understand other clubs are having the same problem.We all seem to be getting older.

How about a just a Local League/