All Thursday Metro Masters Representatives

From: David Burn

Date: 21st July, 2015

The Grand Finals were played at North Ringwood over two Thursdays due to the cold and inclement weather on the first day.

The results of theAutumn,2015 Grand Finals were as follows:-

Section 1: Kilsyth d. Kooyong 1-1, 13-14 match forfeited by Kooyong

Section 2: Wheeler’s Hill Frogs d. Glen Waverley G.W.’s4-2, 44-31

Section 3: Kilsyth d. North Balwyn Lions 4-2, 42-34

Section 4: North Balwyn Tigers d. St.John’s Crics 4-2, 38-35

Section 5: Kilsyth Battlers d. St.John’s Crops 4-2, 45-27

Kilsyth won Section 1 and were unbeaten during the home and away season, losing only the Second Semi-Final to Kooyong. They finished on top of the ladder and due to both teams being unable to field teams the following Thursday they were awarded the flag by virtue of finishing higher on the ladder. They have also been runners-up on seven out of the last eight Grand Finals and thus are worthy winners.

They also won the Ward Hillier Shield only the second time this has been won from a team in Section 1.

Wheeler’s Hill Frogs managed to win their first Grand Final after returning to the competition from a few years absence in Section 2.

Section 3 saw Kilsyth winners against North Balwyn Lions losing only one match for the entire season.

North Balwyn Tigers won Section 4 and probably created a Metro Masters record in using six players over the two weeks. St.John’s Crics have now lost two Grand Finals in Section 4 over the last three seasons by one game and by three games winning the other Grand Final on a tie-break.

Kilsyth Battlers won Section 5 and managed to win all four matches against St.John’s Crops and thus were worthy winners.

Thanks again to Richard Tamblyn for organising court allocations, and to the North Ringwood club for the use of their courts and facilities over the two days.

The ability to hold all the Grand Finals at the one location is one of the features of our competition and sets us aside from many other competitions. The many spectators from clubs not competing makes a pleasant day for all concerned, particularly on the second day of the Grand Finals.

Our competition received 39 team entries for the coming Spring 2015 season which equals the highest number of entries received (1 up on the previous season), and 3 up on the last Spring season.

We welcome two new clubs Grace Park (with two teams – one Fold Arts Glen Iris) and the other a new team. Karingal Drive-Greensborough also entered a team in Section 5 for the first time and in the following seasons we hope possibly to have multiple teams from them. We lost one team from Norris Bank from Section 4.

Our big clubs Kilsyth and Donvale still continue to provide 4 teams each to our competition and I know there were clubs who for various reasons just fell short of putting in extra teams.

With only five teams wishing to play Section 1, eleven teams wishing to play Section 2, and nine teams requesting Section 3 the Grading meeting was one of the most difficult and challenging we have had. Reluctantly we agreed that we would have 5 teams in Section 1 with a bye, and hopefully we can build on this to become a six or eight team Section in the near future. This left thirty four teams to be split over the remaining five Sections, and thus we could have two sections of eight teams, and three sections of six teams. Whilst we would prefer to have eight team sections this was not an option due to the number of byes required.

This meant that teams in clubs that normally would have been promoted i.e. Kilsyth

Section 3 could not be promoted – room could not be found unless one of the teams finishing in the four in Section 2 was relegated, but with two teams coming down to Section 3 hopefully they will strike tougher opposition. Some teams are going to have a difficult season which we hope when and if we return to the more desirable eight team section format we will be able to accommodate easier. When we grade we try to keep clubs with multiple teams in separate sections although on this occasion Kilsyth applied for two teams in Section 4. Due to relegating three teams from Section 1 and a new Grace Park team in Section 2 this meant they ended up in Section 5.

Fortunately we think we have avoided any draw issues with the mix of six and eight team sections. Thanks to the members of the Grading Panel who had to make some difficult decisions which will not please everyone – it is important that we maintain the social atmosphere of our competition and at worst if your team is compromised it will probably only be for one season.

As a guide if you wish to be promoted it is easier for the Grading Panel if you win as many matches and finish in first place on the ladder with a high percentage and win the Grand Final. If you have strengthened your team give a complete detail of new players added and an idea how often they will be regular players.

Conversely if you do not wish to be demoted win at least 5 matches and have a good percentage. Do not use injuries as an excuse for a poor season as most players struggle with some injury during the season.

TheGrading of teams are subjective and are largely based on last season’s performance, players listed, and details provided for players new to the competition.

The season commences on Thursday the 6th August, 2015 with the Grand Finals being played onthe26th November, 2015. The Xmas Luncheon will be held on the following Thursday the 3rd December, 2015 – please place these important dates in your diaries.

Please make sure you understand the particular sections of the recently introduced by-laws covering players who play in multiple teams in the same section, and the need to seek permission to play players who have not been nominated and have not played in the competition before.

Once again the draws and result sheets have been emailed as it saves considerable time and the cost of postage. If you cannot print the draws, and result sheets from this email please advise and I will forward these by mail – if you have a team mate who is computer savvy this would be preferable as it costs a $1.40 each to mail and it is only going to increase in future.

Attached to this email please find:-

  1. A copy of draws for each section – please produce sufficient copies for the players in your teamand/or your club.
  2. A copy of new Spring 2015 Result Sheets – do not use earlier versions as they only have 5 sections on them.

Results and ladders will be updated on our website address as follows:- mastersta/ suggest you place in your Favourites.

To maintain regularladders please submit by fax, emailor post result sheets in a timely and legible manner.

Enjoy your tenis.

Regards

David Burn

RECORD SECRETARY – METRO MASTERS