Quatt may forfeit league game for Lord’s dream
Tuesday 27th July 2010, 7:45PM BST.
Shropshire village cricket club Quatt may forfeit a potential title-deciding league game in order to keep their Lord’s dream on course.
The south Shropshire side travel to Warwickshire to face Fillongley in the national quarter-finals of the nPower Village Cup on Sunday.
But the game clashes with an extra round of Marston’s Shropshire Premier League fixtures, with Quatt due to travel to take on table-topping Madeley.
Quatt managed to field three sides when a similar situation arose in the last round.
But the start of the school holidays and the addition of a third XI fixture away at Lilleshall on top of the regular first and second team games means their resources may now be stretched beyond breaking point.
“Forfeiting the Madeley game is a serious consideration this time, but we are trying to find enough players to fulfil the fixtures,” said Quatt’s Sunday skipper Craig Jones.
“We’re sending our strongest team to play the national game and we’re trying to get a couple of sides together to play Madeley — but the school holidays mean it is not promising in terms of availability.”
Should Quatt forfeit the Madeley game, then it would hand the league leaders a gift-wrapped 20 points in the race for the title.
And that is a prospect that has certainly not found favour from the other sides in the hunt for the championship.
Bob Williams, chairman of fourth-placed Newport, who were beaten by Quatt at the start of the season, said: “As a club, we have decided not to write a letter to the league because they seem entrenched in their decision.
Impact
“But we feel it’s a totally unfair playing field in view of the fact that this game could have a direct impact on who becomes champions of the league.”
Williams added: “With my Shropshire Cricket Board hat on (he is chairman), it’s disappointing that the league has played its two Sunday fixtures of the season on the first day of home Shropshire County Cricket Club matches in the Minor Counties Championship.
“There are only three home Minor Counties matches played all season and we don’t feel the league is acting in the best interests of Shropshire cricket.”
Bryan Jones, skipper of second placed Wem said: “If the game is forfeited, it would make a mockery of the league.
“It would be ridiculous for Madeley to get the points without playing the game.”
By CHRIS HUDSON
UK Sport
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Why forfeit the first team League game, why not forfeit the Second team game as that has no signifigance.
Also Mr Williams, how many players in the Shropshire County side actually play in the Shropshire Premier League?
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I was under the impression that Shropshire Premier Rules say that you cannot forfeit a game if one of your teams play in a lower League. Therefore as Brian Aubrey says, Quatt should field the 2nd’s against Madeley 1st’s and forfeit the 2nd XI Game.
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Common sense and sport – doesn’t mix.
Just re-arrange the fixture or do what Brian says above.
I have a further 2 points:
1. if Quatt gets to the final at Lords it will raise the profile of cricket in Shropshire in a good way.
2. if Quatt have to forfeit the league game it devalues the reputation of Shropshire cricket.
No brainer really
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National competition q/f….just let the club go and enjoy its day….no brainer?
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Can we postpone the 14th August games so I can go to the Rose Bowl to watch Hampshire in th 20/20 finals please
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Brian,
i think the comments about the County game relate to the fact that some SPL players would like to watch it ?
Good luck to Quatt anyway in a National Competition.
There were games cancelled for the football Play Offs and even World Cup in Shrop. league previously with no long lasting effects.
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I agree with everyone and wish Quatt all the best in their match and hope they win. But League rules are League rules, there in black and white at the beginning of the season.
But my question of how many Shropshire County players play in the Shropshire Premier League has still not been answered.
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In answer to Brian, there are no Shropshire players in the SPL,as the standard is so poor.. your point is?
I think Bob Williams makes a good point, and its clear that the SPL committee are totally out of touch with the league and their clubs. Their short sightedness has come back and bit them, not just on this issue but over the whole 14 clubs situation. It will be virtually impossible for them to get back to 12 as the Manby League will not take back more than 1 club (and only then if their champions are accepted). They may well have to have 14 or 16 next year..
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