Post by arf on Apr 11, 2009 12:37:17 GMT
ECF Draw
After a SCCU campaign that saw both the Open and u175 teams qualify for the ECF Stage, with the MCCU finally holding their u175 Jamboree it is with great pleasure to announce that the ECF draw has been finalised - see attached link.
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/matchbcf.htm
The draw gives both teams a realistic chance of progressing through to the final:
Presuming the Open team prevails against Suffolk the semi-final could pit them against either Surrey a renowned powerhouse of the SCCU and a county who will be smarting at us at being pipped to the runner-up spot. Equally it could pit us against Lancashire the county who put us to the sword in the 2008 final. If I were a neutral I'd want to reserve a seat for either of those clashes as revenge will be the watchword! But even before a semi-final match I'd want to reserve a spot to see a quarterfinal match between the 2007 finalists - Surrey v Lancashire. The only drawback to any of the Surrey clashes is that as notoriously bad travellers they would be expected to have to travel to the Midlands twice in a month - they play Staffordshire in the preliminary later this month. This may be asking a lot and could see them fall at either the preliminary or the quarter-final stages.
The u175 team potentially have the more sedate route consequently must guard against complacency. None of the teams in their half of the draw should present a problem but many a slip has happened betwixt cup and lip! On the assumption that the u175 emulate their play against Surrey and play to their true ability the real threat should be in the final where in all probability it would be a Middlesex v Essex final.
Anyway we run ahead of ourselves as the quarter-final matches are yet to be played. With respect to these, conversations have been held with the captains of Suffolk and Leicestershire and the following can be announced:
Open
ECF Stage: Quarter-final
Match: Suffolk v Middlesex
Date: 16th May 2009
Venue: tbc
Start time: 2:00pm
u175
ECF Stage: Quarter-final
Match: Leicestershire v Middlesex
Date: 9th May 2009
Venue: tbc
Start time: 1:00pm
Details to be forwarded once verified.
On the assumption that both teams field their strongest XVI both ought to progress to the semi-final.
Go on the Middlesex!
Finally, the ECF in their wisdom have decided that there is to be a best game prize for the k-o stage. Best prize wins £250 so as they say you have to be in it to win it!