Merger with LV League

[raidernation]

Welcome to the new SCBA Bulletin Board.
A great initiative from Scott & Mark.


Just to let all members know that a meeting with both Committees has been arranged for Wednesday night.
I will publish progress and proposals on this site as soon as I can.
Sid

[Scotty P]

Looking forward to the new merger Sid. I hope the meeting goes well!

P.S. Your avatar is spot on should I add

[popeye]

which would they go for 8 or 9 a side???

[Scotty P]

It will still be 9-a-side Kev. The LV is essentially joining the Bilston.

[raidernation]

At the meeting between the Committees of the Bilston League and the LV League,
It was agreed that:

• The LV League and the Bilston League would amalgamate commencing 2017 season
     • Both League’s assets would be transferred to the New League
• The New League would be named the BLV Thursday League and known colloquially as the Bilston / Licensed Victuallers League
• Bilston League rules would apply – 9 a-side, 21 up
• The League will maintain a presence on the www.leaguebowls.com website
• Election of Officers for the 2017 season would be suspended and the respective 2016 committee members of both leagues would remain in office and serve as a combined Interim Committee for 2017 to ensure a smooth transition
     • Sid Weston would be League Secretary
     • Terry Evans would be Fixtures Secretary
• The combined teams competing would be seeded in to divisions according to playing strength
     • The allocation of teams will be decided by the combined Committees.
     • A panel would be formed from the combined committee members to resolve any resulting concerns or issues
        Their decision will be final
     • Divisions would have 10 or 12 teams
     • The top division will be titled Premier Division
        The winners of that division will be awarded the silver LV Premier Bowl.
• Promotion & relegation would be 3 up and 3 down:
     • The first two would be decided by the relegation of the bottom two teams in each
        division to be replaced by the top two teams from the next lower division
     • The third place would be decided by a play-off between the third lowest team playing
        the third highest team from the next lower division.
        The lower division side would have home green advantage for this game
• League fees would be set at £75 – all inclusive
     This represents a small increase for existing Bilston League teams and a substantial reduction for LV teams.
     The fee would include:
          • League membership fee
          • KO Cup entry fee
          • IMC entry (9 members max per team)
• The following competitions would be held:
    • KO Cup
       Bilston League rules would apply with lower division teams having home green
       advantage
      • League-wide competition with all teams participating in a single competition
      • Final to be held at Waterloo Hotel green, Blackpool on Sunday 23 July 2017
• IMC Competition
      • Winner to receive entry to SCBA Champion of Champions competition
• Season –end Finals Day Competition
      • Individual competition for top 8 players in top three divisions
      • Ladies Competition for top 8 lady bowlers
      • Held at Pennfields on Sunday 24 September 2017


We would appreciate your comments

[Bill Staite]

Here are my comments as requested:
Some interesting points have been raised and I applaud all involved in allowing this 'merger' to happen.
I originally raised a concern over 3 up / 3 down in divisions as I considered this may well weaken the higher divisions. I did advocate a play off game for the 3rd place if it was decided to approve the 3 team promotion/relegation option.
The main concern I now have is with how the play off will be decided. Why give the 3rd top team the distinct advantage of playing the game at home?
Surely you want your strongest teams in the higher division? This can only be achieved by a home AND away play off game OR a one off game on a NEUTRAL green.
Home advantage should not be a constituent factor when determining your whole season. If the team finishing 3rd top are worthy of promotion they should be able to prove it on an even footing. If not, they stay where they are.
I look forward to hearing/reading the views of others on this matter.

[Tim Allen]

Good work from both league committees and a sensible outcome.
Having 4 x separate leagues running within Staffs on a Thursday evening (LV, Bilston, Cannock & Dudley) is clearly no longer sustainable and this decision should enable a strong, new midweek league in the Wolverhampton area to attract good interest.

Well done Terry, Sid & all involved.

[raidernation]

Dec 4, 2016 15:31:22 GMT Bill Staite said:

Here are my comments as requested:
Some interesting points have been raised and I applaud all involved in allowing this 'merger' to happen.
I originally raised a concern over 3 up / 3 down in divisions as I considered this may well weaken the higher divisions. I did advocate a play off game for the 3rd place if it was decided to approve the 3 team promotion/relegation option.
The main concern I now have is with how the play off will be decided. Why give the 3rd top team the distinct advantage of playing the game at home?
Surely you want your strongest teams in the higher division? This can only be achieved by a home AND away play off game OR a one off game on a NEUTRAL green.
Home advantage should not be a constituent factor when determining your whole season. If the team finishing 3rd top are worthy of promotion they should be able to prove it on an even footing. If not, they stay where they are.
I look forward to hearing/reading the views of others on this matter.

[raidernation]

Thanks for your comments Bill.
The proposals are all subject to comment and I am sure the combined committees will take them on board.
The playoff will add a bit of interest at the end of the season and we would like to give it a go.
In retrospect, I have to agree that ideally, neither side should have an artificial advantage.
I think neutral green would be a better idea.
Thanks for the input.

[Bill Staite]

No problem Sid.
Always happy to offer an opinion.
Winter well. 👍

[raidernation]

Our proposals for allocating teams to the BLV League:
We have asked all the clubs involved to confirm which teams will compete.
Some have responded, some haven't.
We need to know by early January so we can finalise the divisions and sort out the fixtures.

Note: * Bilston League team
         + LV League team

PREMIER DIVISION (12)
+ ECC
+ ESSINGTON ‘A’
* GREETS GREEN
+ M & B CHESLYN HAY ‘A’
* PENN ‘A’
+ PENNFIELDS ‘A’
+ SHORTHEATH LIBS ‘A’
* SHORTHEATH LIBS ‘B’
* STILE ‘A’
+ WILLENHALL NORDLEY ‘A’
* WOODFIELD ‘A’
* YALE ’A’


DIVISION 1 (12)
* WILLENHALL NORDLEY ‘B’
* WOMBOURNE ‘A’
+ AMERY ‘B’
+ BARHALE ‘A’
* BARHALE ‘B’
+ CHUBBSAFES
* FORDHOUSES CC ‘A’
* GORNAL & SEDGLEY LABOUR
* PENNFIELDS ‘B’
* PENNFIELDS/OAKLANDS
+ SPRINGVALE/NEWHAMPTON
+ WOODFIELD ‘B’


DIVISION 2 (12)
* 44 CLUB
+ AMERY ‘A’
+ ESSINGTON ‘B’
* EXPRESS & STAR
* PENN ‘B’
* SEDGLEY EX SERVICES
+ SEDGLEY WMC
* SPRINGVALE ‘B’
* SPRINGVALE ‘C’
* STILE ‘B’
* WOMBOURNE ‘B’
* YALE ‘B’

DIVISION 3 (10)
* BILSTON ‘A’
+ FORDHOUSES CC ‘B’
* GOODYEAR PAVILION
* M & B CHESLYN HAY ‘B’
* PENNFIELDS C
* SPRINGVALE ‘D’
* WEDNESFIELD CONS
* WOODFIELD ‘C’
+ YALE ‘C’
BLOXWICH STAFFORD ROAD (Subject to application)

Your comments would be appreciated

[john698]

First I would like to give a big thanks to Terry for all the hard work put into the L/V over the years his hard work has been outstanding, then a big well done to both Sid & Terry for taking the initiative in moving bowls forward in the Wolverhampton area, instead of losing a league we are gaining in my opinion a better stronger league. the league format looks good and from what I can see appears to be fair at least the teams in division 2 in both leagues would still gain promotion. I agree with Bill that the premier and div 1 play off should be a neutral green and would then show which is the stronger team. I for one am looking forward to the 2017 season

[bigtel20]

Dec 13, 2016 14:16:43 GMT john698 said:

First I would like to give a big thanks to Terry for all the hard work put into the L/V over the years his hard work has been outstanding, then a big well done to both Sid & Terry for taking the initiative in moving bowls forward in the Wolverhampton area, instead of losing a league we are gaining in my opinion a better stronger league. the league format looks good and from what I can see appears to be fair at least the teams in division 2 in both leagues would still gain promotion. I agree with Bill that the premier and div 1 play off should be a neutral green and would then show which is the stronger team. I for one am looking forward to the 2017 season

[bigtel20]

Cogratulations to everyone involved in formimg what looks like being a strong and competetive league

[bigtel20]

Sorry john698 for posting your message again...these fat fingers of mine lol