Postponed matches, rule change and dates for the 2024/5 season
In recent seasons the League has taken a relaxed view when matches have been postponed. Last season, a number of matches were postponed by agreement between teams and a new date arranged (sometimes weeks or even months later) before notification to Mike Howard as the League's Fixtures Secretary.
For the 2024/5 season, the League Committee has decided that postponement of matches must comply with league rule 17, which can be accessed through the Information tab above. All team captains and Club secretaries are asked to review the rule in order to remind themselves of the requirements. Matches can always be played in advance. It is essential that the Fixtures Secretary is notified if a match does not take place on the scheduled date and of any new date agreed within the rules. Chris Welch should aslo be informed so that the league website can be updated. Some match daes or venues have already been changed where venues are unavailable on the scheduled date. The AGM approved an amendment to the rule which now allows a postponed match to be played on a Friday, not just Monday to Thursday as before.
Rule change: The AGM also approved a player proposal which specifies that, where a 3 player team plays against 2 players, the "missing" singles sets will be counted as a win for the 3-player team for the purposes of the league averages.
Dates for the season
Week commencing Monday 16th September: Season starts.
Sunday 17th November: Autumn league tournament - Handicap Singles, Pot Luck Doubles, Nick Warton Trophy and (if time allows) Hard Bat events.
Week commencing Monday 16th December: Final league matches (round 14 of 21) before Christmas break.
Week commencing Monday 6th January: Challenge Cup group matches start (also weeks commencing 20th January and 3rd February).
Week commencing Monday 13th January: Final round of league matches starts.
Sunday 23rd February: Closed Championships.
Week commencing Monday 24th March: Final league matches.
Week commencing Monday 14th April: Top 8s: Monday 14th - Premier, Div 1 & Div 2.
Tuesday 15th - Div 3 & Div 4 and Challenge Cup final.
Thursday 1st May: League AGM and presentation of divisional trophies. Tournament and Top 8 trophies will be presented on the day of those events.