What can go up, can also go down.....
Case in point: Plastic Factory 2, who after a competetive year in the A-tour
last year (remember watching a titanic game between Plastic Factory 1 and 2
at Mansfield T2) has a seeding of 2 at Tour 1B based on Nationals results.
What with the "unorthadox" method of seperating group ties, and some bad
luck, they finished at 17th. personally I find it hard to see how that
occured, unless the team was a shadow of last years (which I very much doubt
having seen many of thier squad before), or things really did go bad for
them. Im sure they probably walked the bottom half of the draw (didnt get to
see it, was busy playing, correct me if im wrong), and if there was a
crossover match they would probably have ended up back in the top at the
expense of someone who benefitted form the points difference ruling. I have
no doubt that at T2 this situation will probably be reversed and they will
end up high, but its an indication of how damn tricky it can be to seed
teams, when Fire 2 (arguably comparable to Plastic Factory 2 last year)
performed towards the other end of the scale.
Im all for the way teams are placed in the B-Tour to prove themselves, as I
do feel the strength of the B-Tour is underestimated by many - infact clubs
at the top of the B tour have arguably benefitted morefrom the split, as we
now have a real goal to work towards in promotion, and are pushing each
other further and further all the time. My last game on sunday was against
Discuits 2, and was amazed at seeing players that I perosnally consider
A-Tour quality playing with them... this was for 13th-14th place, thats
29th-to 30th in the UK. I would have loved a chance to line up against Fire
2 this weekend and really test myself instead of hoping it happens at
nationals.
As for the game time argument - I loved playing 1 hr 30 games, even if my
fitness wasnt quite up to the last game. As a squad, Lords were punished by
only having 10 players available, so we felt it this weekend. I have no
complaints over this this, as fitness/stamina is one element of the
competition. However, i would rather have played a few more shorter games on
saturday in the group, with larger groups, to give more of a chance for
seedings to work themselves out - and to prevent the unfortunate position
some teams found them selves in of being bagelled after an hour. Would
playing 3 45 min group games and a 45 min crossover (im all for freak
results) in the B tour be a better option for saturday play be a better
option than 3 1 hr 30 min games? Of course, this does depend on the number
of teams availiable. Im all for the QF, SF and F stages (regardless of
where you are in the draw) to be 1 hr 30... Maybe lower down the B tour 45
mins is a more sensible option, but those teams MUST be allowed a greater
number of games to prevent a "C-Tour" forming where those struggling for
what ever reason are punished with less playing time - I know this weekend
those that had 45 min games had 5 of them instead of 3 1 hr 30's like the
rest of us, but sureley there was a better way than getitng teams to play
back to back matches? If not, then fair enough, sheduling is a massive task
at the best of times and I respect those who have the time and drive to
bother to do it for us.
So yea, this is in danger of becoming a massive rant.... I geuss what im
trying to say is that the B-tour MUST be a level playing field for all,
giving all teams an equal chance to qualify into the A-Tour. I know some
temas were very peeved by being in the Fire 2 group, and hence losing any
hope of promotion after one game. Bring back crossovers! Even if it means
losing the nice long games. Give us all a chance to jump up high. Or fall
down low.
Karl "Monkey Head" Bater
Lords #81
From: "Mitchell, Ben" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [BD] Tour Qualifier
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:53:49 +0100
I don't see what is wrong with using last season's results to determine
seeding. For me, to do otherwise would de-value the achievements of any
team that competed in the Tour and Nationals last year. I appreciate
that teams can change and new ones can form, but in my opinion nobody
has a right to a 'high' seeding without proving it on the field. This
includes the second teams of the bigger, more 'successful' clubs.
LeedsLeedsLeeds nearly entered a second team into the Tour this year and
were happy for it to start in the B Tour because we didn't have 2 teams
last year. (In the end we only have one team because we don't have
enough players for two).
The way the Tour currently works (or should work) is that you can start
the season seeded at the bottom of the B Tour and theoretically still
win A Tour 3. That is the potential to rise through the entire national
rankings in just one season. This is a seriously open format! If you
lose a game that knocks you out of the running for promotion/a shot at
the top 8/a chance of semis, deal with it. You weren't good enough, you
might be next time. It is competitive sport, after all.
The important thing is the format. Tour 1 (A and B) should give all
those competing a chance at winning, preferably in pools where the top 2
go through. This may not have been the case in the B Tour, though Ed has
shown what a nightmare scheduling was for all involved. After Tour 1,
things are rightly more elitist to give every team a chance to test
themselves against their nearest rivals.
Benji mentioned how Discuits came from the B Tour to finish 9th in the A
Tour. This is a great example of how well the competition works. They
fought hard to get into the A Tour last year and this year are enjoying
their higher rank because they earned it on the field, not because of
anyone's 'discretion' or because they were asked how good they are.
Ben Mitchell
LeedsLeedsLeeds 29
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