ECF STAGE MATCHES

updated 14.4.08
COUNTY MATCHES
ECF STAGE 2008

DATES

Prelim
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Finals

April 26
May 17
June 14
July 5 at Moat Community College, Leicester

Dates are the defaults as specified by the rules.

THE DRAW
in its third, ultimately revised, form reached match captains late in the evening of Sunday 13th April, only a day or so later than promised. We give it below with a few notes. Inevitably it differs from the impossible second version posted 8th April on the ECF website. (For the first version 15.2.08, see bottom of page.) The Controller names the Counties now, for the first time, but no longer says what Union they come from or which nomination they took. We think this information important and have retained it.

OPEN
Quarter-finals (A) Lancs (N) v Staffs (M3); (B) Surrey (S2) v Warwickshire (M2); (C) Gtr Manchester (M1) v Middx (S3). Bye: Herts (S1)
Semi-finals (A) v (B); Herts (S1) v (C)
MINOR COUNTIES
Quarter-finals (A) Norfolk (E2) v Leics (M2). Byes: Hants (W), Salop (M1), Cambs (E1)
Semi-finals (A) v Hants (W); Salop (M1) v Cambs (E1)
U175
Quarter-finals (A) Suffolk (E1) v Surrey (S2); (B) Gtr Manchester (M) v Devon (W). Byes: Yorks (N), Essex (S1)
Semi-finals Yorks (N) v (A); (B) v Essex (S1)
U150
Quarter-finals (A) Warwicks (M1) v Herts (S2); (B) Lancs (N1) v Cambs (E2); (C) Essex (S1) v Notts (M2); (D) Norfolk (E1) v Yorks (N2)
Semi-finals (A) v (B); (D) v (C)
U125
Preliminary Lancs (N2) v Leics (M3)
Quarter-finals (A) Warwicks (M1) v Sussex (S2); (B) Middx (S1) v Hants (W); (C) Cleveland (N1) v Worcs (M2); (D) Norfolk (E) v winner of Prelim
Semi-finals (D) v (B); (C) v (A)
U100
Quarter-finals (A) Warwicks (M1) v Herts (S2); (B) Lancs (N) v Notts (M2); (C) Surrey (S1) v Norfolk (E2); (D) Suffolk (E1) v Staffs (M3)
Semi-finals (A) v (D); (C) v (B)

Notes
We have named all the qualifiers as we could not on 8th April. Otherwise, changes are confined to the Open, Minor and U175.
Open
Middx have been promoted from the Minor. S1 and S2 have been reversed, sensibly, so that the bye goes to S1.
Minor
E1 and E2 have likewise been reversed so that the bye goes to E1.
U175
Essex (S1) now appears once only, with a bye. Its other instance has been replaced by Surrey (S2). The mysterious E2 no longer appears. It is replaced in one case by E1, and in the other by Yorkshire (N) who are included after all.

THE ORIGINAL DRAW
as published 15.2.08
is reproduced here for the record, together with comments we made in February and March. The rules of the competition require the draw to be made in January.
_______________

The [15.2.08] draw is described as "provisional". We're not sure what this means (but see Notes below). Where a qualifier is known we have filled its name in. Be aware that our information on this comes from various sources and may not be official.

OPEN
Prelim (1) W2 M3; (2) E2 v Surrey (S2)
Quarter-finals (A) W1 v Herts (S1); (B) E1 v Warwickshire (M2); (C) Gtr Manchester (M1) v winner of (2); (D) Lancs (N) v winner of (1)
Semi-finals (B) v (A); (D) v (C)
A curiosity. S1 and S2 have no home matches between them. Not even if they go all the way and play each other in the Final.
MINOR COUNTIES
"Still awaiting all entries. Draw to be made in April 2008."
U175
Semi-finals Essex (S1) v Yorks (N); Gtr Manchester (M) v Surrey (S2)
U150
Quarter-finals (A) W1 v Herts (S2); (B) Lancs (N) v Cambs (E2); (C) Essex (S1) v Warwicks (M); (D) Norfolk (E1) v W2
Semi-finals (A) v (B); (D) v (C)
U125
Quarter-finals (A) M1 E2; (B) N M2; (C) Middx (S1) v Leicestershire (M3); (D) E1 v Sussex (S2)
Semi-finals (D) v (B); (C) v (A)
U100
Quarter-finals (A) Warwicks (M1) v Herts (S2); (B) Lancs (N) v Notts (M2); (C) Surrey (S1) v Norfolk (E2); (D) Suffolk (E1) v Staffs (M3)
Semi-finals (A) v (D); (C) v (B)

Notes
16.2.08, amended 17.2.08, 18.2.08, 23.2.08 (and see "The state of play" below)
Any opinions expressed here are your Webmaster's.
Open. Are MCCU entitled to three nominations? Surely not. They have eight teams in "open" competition, but in two groups of four: an Open group and a Minor group. Only four teams are competing for nomination in the Open.
     It is very unusual, perhaps unheard of, for EACU and WECU to make two nominations each. In fact the last time either of them nominated anyone was in 2004-5 when Somerset defaulted their only match. We can't help wondering about this year's entries.
U175. We hear that Devon, who always play, had expected a WECU presence in the draw. This information cannot have reached the Controller.
U150. If MCCU are over-represented in the Open, they are under-represented here. They have five teams in their U150 section. This is worth two nominations in anyone's book. Note 22.2.08. We hear from the MCCU that the Controller has accepted their claim to a second nomination (which we note will be Notts). The revised draw will appear when it appears (see "The state of play" below).
     Why have NCCU only got one nomination? Their three entries - Lancs, Yorks & Cumbria - would seem to entitle them to two. We wondered at first if Yorks really counted, considering that their only match was a fiasco against Lancs at which only three of their players turned up. But we hear they have since played Cumbria and beaten them.
U125 (late note 30.3.08). It appears the NCCU competition comprised four teams, so there ought to be an N2.

The State of Play
as notified by the Controller to the MCCU 22.2.08
"The next update for the draw on the website will be at the end of March with a final provisional (sic) draw being sent to all unions shortly before."
The new State of Play
as notified, not very prominently, on the ECF website 20.3.08
"The actual draw for 2008 will be made in early April, the provisional draw below is only a matter of indication and hence can be subject to significant changes."
     The provisional draw shown is the one published on 15th February.
The new State of Play confirmed
Gleaned 30.3.08 from the MCCU website: "It has come to my attention recently that many counties are starting to arrange matches for the National stages of the CC08 when the confirmed draw for CC08 has not been published. Provisional means that it is an indication and therefore subject to significant changes should it be necessary. Hence, please do not organise or play any matches until I have sent you details of the National stages and the confirmed draw." - Andrew Moore, Manager of Home Services.
     The culprits can't all be MCCU teams, but as far as we know this notice has not appeared elsewhere.
The new State of Play: fresh intelligence
From National Controller to SCCU Controller 5.4.08, in response to a query: "All clubs required to play a pre-lim match have already been contacted are the matches are already in progress. I am still awaiting just a couple of results playing this weekend, sanctioned by me and hence the draw wil be sent out very soon and all counties will be given ample notice to arrange matches."
The new State of Play: Postscript to fresh intelligence
From National Controller to SCCU Controller 6.4.08, in response to a further query: "The only Pre-lim match taking place is in the U125 section - Lancs at home against Leics. Tie to be played by Sunday 27th April."

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