SCORING SYSTEM TO CHANGE – AGAIN!?

No, this is not what you think! The 11up scoring system is here to stay – at least as far as we know for the time being. However at the League AGM on 26 May a Rule change carried unanimously endorsed the introduction of a change from our current point scoring system for the League programme (from 4 points for a 10:0, 9:1, 8:2 win, 3 pts for a 7:3, 6:4 win, 2 points for a draw, 1 point for a 4:6, 3:7 defeat, 0 pts for a 2:8, 1:9, 0:10 defeat) to 1 point for every set won or awarded. So for the future every set of the match will count. The chart below shows what this will mean in practice:

Players per side

Games

Total pts available

	Played	Awarded	Void
3(or 4) a side	10	0	0	10
3(or 4) v 2	7	3	0	10
3(or 4) v 1	3	7	0	10
2 v 2	5	4	1	9
2 v 1	2	6	2	8

But the introduction of the new rule was not without controversy, and the actual wording may have to go back to the drafting committee to ensure that it is absolutely clear. In the meantime by the overwhelming majority in favour of the principle of ‘1 point per set’ the new system will be applied from the 2005/2006 season and operated in line with the table shown above. So, for example:-

1.  In a normal 3 a-side match of 10 sets, the result is 6:4 to the home side. In the past the home side would receive 3pts, the away side 1pt. Now the home side will get 6pts, the away side 4pts.

2. If a team turns up a player short under the new system, as now, the games in which the missing player should have played will be awarded to the opponent. So, a 3 man home side plays against a 2 man visiting side. Of the matches played the home side win 4:3. The 3 missing sets are awarded to the home side, and the final result becomes 7:3. The home side get 7pts, the away side 3.

3. On a rare occasion both teams are a player short. They play the 5 games and home side win 3:2. Both teams are awarded 2 games for those that could have been played if the respective third player had not been missing, the match score becomes 5:4. The game between the respective No.3s cannot be played as neither are present and is declared void. No-one gets that lost point.

The remainder of the AGM was relatively uncontroversial, with all current Officers of the League being returned unopposed. The meeting did however adopt a motion to increase the team membership fees for the 2005/2006 season by £3. So the fee for entering the first team in the League becomes £30 and £27 for each additional team.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards. The Chairman, Norman Smith, first presented the Divisional trophies to the winners and runners-up in each division. This was followed by presentation of the Charlie Wheeler Memorial Award. This is presented to the junior player considered to have put in the best performance at the Annual Closed Championships. And what a birthday present this proved to be for 15 year old Bradley Hudgell (Baddow Village). Wondering why he was attending an AGM on his birthday, he finally found out. It was to receive the award, prompted by his exceptional performance of winning both the 6Down Singles and the Junior Handicap Singles. It has to be remembered that this was Bradley's first season in the League and only his second season of competitive table tennis having moved up from CLICK last September. Bradley has made terrific progress and is now a regular in the Chelmsford teams in the National Junior League.

On his 15th birthday Bradley Hudgell (Baddow Village)  receives the Charlie Wheeler Memorial Award from League Chairman Norman Smith at the League AGM on 26 May.

Some might say that the last award presented by the Chairman was long overdue. The Roseberry Pope & Smith Award is an annual award for service to table tennis through the current season. And deservedly went to veteran coach Hil Dowsett. On retirement from work, Hil resumed a coaching career which had already spanned many years, becoming the League Coaching Officer. And although he has been forced through heart surgery to take a few weeks off in the latter part of the season, he has nevertheless built up a new interest in table tennis. As well as acting with Junior Match Secretary Arthur Clark to ensure the League's participation in NJL, he has built new contacts with schools, is again running the summer Adult Coaching Course (in conjunction with Baddow Village TTC) and continuing his involvement in the teaching and training of the League's 'Elite' junior squad.

League Coaching Officer, Hil Dowsett, is presented with the Roseberry Pope & Smith Award, the League's highest award for service to the sport, by Chairman Norman Smith at the AGM on 26 May

Over the years the League has had just one member who has gained the ETTA Merit Award for long and exceptional service to table tennis at local or County level (Steve Kerns in 2001). The award, known as the Maurice Goldstein Award, is seem by many as being one of the highest honours given by the ETTA in recognition of service to the sport. This year 4 members were nominated and all were successful. New League General Secretary Graham Turner was called upon to present the certificates of recognition to Arthur Clark, Hil Dowsett, Hugh Piper and Norman Smith. In accepting his award, Hugh pointed out that he had been serving the Chelmsford League for over 50 years. A remarkable achievement. There could not have been four more deserving recipients than these.  

Arthur Clark receives the ETTA Maurice Goldstein Award  for long and outstanding service to local table tennis from League General Secretary Graham Turner. Arthur was one of 4 League nominations who received the award this year. The others were Hil Dowsett, Hugh Piper and Norman Smith.