PAIRINGS FOR ROUND SIX

The pairings for round six, 8 July, are:

Albany v Mushrooms
Battersea v Athenaeum
Dulwich v Cavendish
Hammersmith v Hackney
KH1 v Hendon
Metropolitan v KH2

Dear captains

Some queries have been raised regarding players above the grading bands, so I am clarifying the position.

My original email said:

"- if the grading bands present a real problem for a club to field a team, captains should agree to adjust the bands for both teams for that particular match, unless there is a good reason why not. That way, both sides will be able to field stronger (or weaker) teams in required. This should be done several days in advance."

This flexibility is designed to help teams who have few lower-rated players. But the requirement to agree with the opposition, in advance, an increase in the grading limits is important because it allows the opposition also to field stronger players if they wish. Captains should not field players above the grading limit as a matter of course, and without agreement from the opposition in advance. If the opposing captain has not agreed in advance then the player will be ineligible.

Regards

Shaun

[NB we have been through and checked the grading of all the players so far, and marked them * where they are outside the grading bands, for your information. I assume that Captains are checking grades and agreeing to these exceptions where they occur! If not, talk to Shaun. Adam Raoof]