Post by arf on Jun 13, 2013 18:05:42 GMT
Open SF result overturned - Middlesex in F!
An unfortunate event has come to pass; the ECF Open SF match between Kent vs. Middlesex has been decided not by over the board play but by the rules! It transpires that Kent fell foul of Rule A4 ECF Membership thus Rule C3.3 Penalty for fielding Ineligible Player is applied.
It turns out that their Bd12 James Scholes failed to renew his membership (A4) thus became ineligible to play in the Kent vs. Middlesex match. Consequently when applying the rules (C3.3):
1) Phil is declared winner Middlesex gain and Kent lose 1/2pt.
2) Score adjusted to 8-8
3) Kent deducted 1pt for fielding ineligible player
4) Middlesex wins 8-7!
An unsatisfying way to win a match but won it is.
It was mooted on the ECF Forum that the rules were too stringent and that there will come a time when a match will be resolved not by over the board play but by the rules - that moment has come. Middlesex are to be the beneficiary of the rules rather than securing victory over the board - which to be fair ought to have happened when looking at relative strengths of team coupled with the fact at one stage we had a 3pt lead! Credit though must be given to Kent for putting up sterling resistance to overturn deficit and record a 8.5-7.5 win, however all their hard work is undone due to unfortunate oversight by captain.
This turn of events forces one to look at both the letter and spirit of the law. Should the rules allow a player who was an ECF Member at the commencement of a County Championship Cycle be deemed eligible even if membership lapses during cycle? I would say yes because that player may be an integral member of team/squad. How about allowing retrospection, namely, if ECF Membership lapses but is renewed within (x) days then membership is considered as continuous? This will allow individuals to renew membership between National Stage rounds. I'm sure there are other variations to the Membership rule that could be enforced but these two seem eminently sensible and easily policeable. Equally should the online result service be designed to ensure any infringements that aattract penalty can be automatically applied so that there can be doubt about what the result is? It would certainly mean that both captains input data (in main winning captain does) and that appeal process can immediately get under way if one is to be made.
Notwithstanding any future changes the current Rules declare Middlesex the winner thus irrespective of the ethics involved must either take their place in the final to play Surrey or forfeit and Surrey declared as winner since Kent will be unable to take Middlesex's place even if we wanted to recognise their achievement in SF.
Consequently it is with a sad heart - sad on behalf of Kent - that I say that rather than pack your bags for an early summer break there is one match left to play - the Championship Final against Surrey.
Full details:
ECF Stage: County Championship Final
Match: Middlesex vs. Surrey
Date – 13th July 2013
Venue – Trident Centre, Warwick CV34 6SW
Start time – tbc usually 1:30pm
Time Control – 40moves 2h + 30QPF
Regards the Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup - since Middlesex have benefited from the rules rather than over the board play it has been decided to exclude the Final and treat it as a standalone match thus Andrew Stone is still the winner of Trophy. Congratulations Andrew.
Missives are usually signed off with a rallying cry but it will be forgone in this instance because of the events that have unfolded that means Middlesex contest final.