A Vicious Circle

It's still nine weeks until the start of the SCDCA 1st and 2nd Grade competitions, but all Clubs are already hard at work getting prepared for the 2005/06 season. It's a difficult thing, because for the most part, everyone is working in the dark. No one knows how many players are going to show up, and therefore how many teams each Club will have, in all Grades.

Four weeks ago, rumours were circulating that not only were Gerringong going to be missing from the 1st Grade competition this season, but that Shellharbour City were also going to forego their position in the top grade. This would have left an extremely volatile position, with seven Clubs in 1st Grade and nine in 2nd Grade - a nightmare for those trying to make a competition draw.Now, those rumours have turned 180 degrees, and apparently both Clubs are now going to nominate 1st Grade sides again. Whilst this will ease the strain on the draw, with all nine Clubs represented in both 1sts and 2nds, it brings to a head that phrase that sends shivers down the spines of Kiama cricketers - "Sunday Play".

When this was brought to a head this time last season, it was passed by a slim majority of 5-4 to have no Sunday play. This decision was appealed by the Albion Park Cricket Club, meaning another meeting and another vote had to take place. Almost by divine intervention, this vote was ceased when Gerringong announced they were pulling out of 1st Grade for 2004/05.While there is no confirmation of anything at this time (Clubs do not have to declare their teams until the end of August), it is possible that this whole debate will raise its ugly head once again - and very close to the start of the new season at that. Unfortunately, it would be a very messy affair.

The proponents of Sunday Play have only one order of business - to ensure there are two full rounds played. This, they say, is the only way that the best team will win the competition. If there are not two full rounds, then unworthy, less talented teams may make the semi-finals, because they didn't play the best teams twice, and the best teams may miss the semi-finals, because they didn't play the lesser quality teams twice and give them an almighty thrashing.

Absolute crap.

John O'Dwyer has made the point that not even the Sydney Grade Competition, the premier cricket competition in this State, does not have two full rounds of home and away matches. Why, then, is it seen as necessary for our competition to have two rounds?

Is it the perfect scenario? No.
Will the best team still win the competition? Of course! That's the definition of being the best team!

Some have been sneering at those Clubs who have supported no Sunday play for our competition, and yet nominate and play in the State Cup, which is held on Sundays until the final 16 in December. This, of course, is nonsense. Firstly, the State Cup is a statewide challenge competition, the opportunity to be called the best Club side in Country New South Wales. It is a privilege to play in, and fun as well. Of course Clubs will nominate and play in this competition, despite it being played on Sundays.What these people can't seem to realise is that, if a Club made it through to the final 16, they would have to play up to four rounds - ie FOUR Sundays - to make it that far. If the SCDCA insisted on Sunday play, that would be a possible additional FIVE Sundays in the season, a total of NINE Sundays where players would spend their entire weekend on the cricket field.

Sunday play makes no thought for players with families who work all week, no thought for players who must take leave weekends to play cricket, no thought of players who also volunteer to look after Junior teams on Saturday mornings, no thought of honorary greenkeepers who have to prepare wickets for these matches, no thought for Clubs who have to put weakened teams on the paddock when players are unwilling to play the Sunday matches.

There are dozens of reasons why Sunday play should be banned, and seemingly only one why it should go ahead. Surely then, it is logical not to play on Sundays in our competition.There may be people out there who want to play on Sundays as well. That's all fine and dandy - but remember that there are those of us out there who have a life outside cricket, and would like some time to enjoy it as well.