Richardson & Spens results

[hamish olson]

Out of interest, will the arbiters' reasoning for their decisions be made public? Not necessarily along with each arbiter's name (though I can't imagine why that should be a problem for them) but in the interests of transparency and open-ness.

For the record, Wandering Dragons don't much care who turns out against them for Bon Accord in the Richardson Final (highly-rated GM? multiple British Champion? Bring them on says our captain! )
nor even how much of an appearance fee and travel expenses they are reportedly receiving for turning up to play (we'll even offer to chip in towards it if BA need us to!), but we would like to know the what, why and how of the decisions taken - whichever way the arbiters voting goes. It would be useful information for all the other teams in Scotland to know also.

I can categorically deny that Bon Accord will be paying an appearance fee for me to play in the final. In fact after my performance in the semi-finals (only member of the BA team to lose), I will be taking the overnight Megabus all the way from London this weekend with no guarantees for my journey home if I'm forced to resign the game again.

If we win I will definitely buy you a drink some time mate - for the entertainment factor if nothing else!

[Phil Thomas]

Not sure where I put Andy Muir's mail address but for everyone's information I will be turning up with the winners medals for the three competitions. There seems to be one for each board playing in the final plus 2 extras.

I assume from Andy handing over these medals to me that he won't be present as a non playing captain.

[andyburnett]

I really hope that the decision is only made public after the final, as publically releasing the outcome of it would certainly help one of the teams prep.

I also find it sad to note that someone has been discussing our team selection with our opponents, which they are now trying to act upon.

As for taking a running jump, I'd rather not, unless of course it is into a swimming pool of champagne to celebrate our victory.

-I wouldn't expect or want the result to be made public before the final for the reasons you give.

-Apparently it's been reasonably common knowledge (as a rumour) since about an hour after the semi-final. You should look at your own team first perhaps - but feel free to thank me for getting your captain/whoever to do the job he ought to have done in the first place (re: checking bona fide membership status with the arbiter/controller). You're welcome. Anytime.

-I don't think a victory either way would be a surprise now. However, beating Hamilton is one thing; beating the Dragons quite another Not surprised, though, that you felt your team was needing a 'wee bit extra' to give us a decent match.

Has your captain checked the bona fide status of all your players?? I was at the AGM of the wandering dragons this season (unlike someone!) and I seem to recall discussion about how for example one Alan Tate had not paid his membership fee for two consecutive seasons? I would have to wrack my brains a bit to go back to last season but I seem to recall a lovely win as black vs calum macqueen and an exciting draw against IM steve mannion (again as black) - seems dragons feels they could do with a little non bona fide extra too perhaps. The reason I have not mentioned this earlier (and am not going to make an issue of it as I have too much class for that) is that I was (and am!) just wanting to play a nice friendly match on saturday with my second club (I was absolutely delighted when dragons beat Poly!) and think that Alan Minnican has enough of a life not to be worrying about the small print.
Interestingly the other main topic of conversation that I recall from the AGM (I only attended the first two thirds as it was clashing with Adam's birthday party - I felt it sufficiently important to help ensure a good attendance at the AGM to miss a good chunk of the festivities but not all of it!) was a certain individual negatively affecting the match with Hamilton on behalf of the club by creating lots of tension on the forum in the week before hand, and it was agreed that people were not to behave as if they were speaking for Wandering Dragons club as it was bigger than one man! Please note I do not blame Alan Minnican, the dragons team captain for any of this as it was him who was so keen for dragons to have friendly relations with richardson opponents in future! I don't think its me who's doing the gamesmanship here sadly.

What exactly do you have too much class for Hamish? Not much by the sound of things!
- I wasn't at the AGM for the same reason I didn't play 6 of our league fixtures - I work and can't always get back from Edinburgh in time.
- Can't comment on the Alan Tate issue; I wasn't at the AGM and no-one has ever mentioned this previously to me, including yourself in conversations with me.
- I seem to recall you posting in support of my argument in the week prior to the Hamilton match, with some very negative statements about Andy Muir and Hamilton included. It's still there, check it out. Perhaps it was you they were referring to at the AGM?
-I gave you a heads-up about the eligibility of Jonathan Rowson or whoever so you could check things out before Saturday, so there wouldn't be a problem. If there is a problem, it's of your making. Gamesmanship? )

[Donald Wilson]

I was planning to come along to the Finals on Saturday, to spectate and enjoy the big day.

I'm having second thoughts now.

[Phil Thomas]

If those rules for remote play were ready.

We could have the two Richardson teams in separate rooms.

:ymdevil:

[StevenTweedie]

Looks to me like Andy B is trying his damnedest these days to get Dragons to replace Hamilton as the most hated team in Scotland! Something tells me that you've got a fair way to go though.

I had heard chat from the BA boys that there was the potential for JR (not Redpath before Andy gets his knickers in any more of a twist) to play for them again in the Richardson this year, and even although it would have made the Semi harder than it (obviously!) was, I thought it was a fantastic idea. Scotland's best player playing in Scotlands Premier event for his resurgent, junior filled, team? Beautiful. Ultimately BA are his home club, I don't believe he has played for anyone in between, so what is the basis for this query? I honestly can't believe there is an issue of whether he's Bona Fide! As Hamish alluded to, if Mr Tate hasn't paid subscriptions over the last two years, then he's got just as much right as JR has to be playing (less if JR has paid subs...if you have paid subs Alan then I apologise - just going from the posts on here). Bears a striking resemblance to last years "cat amongst the pigeons" discussion prior to Dragons game vs. Hamilton if I'm being brutally honest where there was a threatened boycott over 10 rating points!

Anyway, good luck to both teams for Saturday. Hopefully common sense prevails, this Bona Fide discussion is resolved promptly to allow all players to play, and it's a good, friendly final.

[Hugh Brechin]

Right, it's possible that our executive director will weigh in with something more authoritative on this, but just as a gentle suggestion: keep it a little more civilised, guys (Andy B, Hamish, this means both of you). This thread's in danger of descending into some not especially nice stuff. Let's stop the aggro here and move on.

And someone get Bremner an inflatable sheep.

[D-Oswald]

Rowson Richardson Cup Rumourmill: Right, Rong, or Ridiculous?

He was apparently playing in the Semis but that didn't happen...
Are the BA boys at it again? Is team gaffer Hamish 'Jose Mourinho' Olson playing mindgames? Who will be the specialist in failure? What happens if Tate and Rowson play on board 1 and are both ineligible?
Saturday is going to be interesting even before the f-pawns get moving...

[robin moore]

Who do folks fancy for the Campbell, Spens and Richardson?

I think Troon will win the Campbell (sorry Crawford)

The Spens looks too close to call

I have a sneaky feeling Bon Accord may just edge the Richardson if they have.. ahem.. their best team out. Bon Accord may have a couple of of very strong players at each end of the team and although the Dragons look stronger on the middle boards, they will be up against some very aggressive young players.

[Adam Bremner]

And someone get Bremner an inflatable sheep.

I second this. They are seemingly much harder to find than I thought. If anyone has some spare, let me know.

Plenty more ways to ramp up the party atmosphere though. It is amazing what £10 will buy you in poundland. :ymparty: