02-04-2015, 12:49 AM
Andy
You're right. I was maybe being over-sensitive about what saw I (no doubt wrongly) as a slightly unfair pop at the 4NCL.
Each to their own of course, and I do understand the point of view of the advocates of the present Richardson Cup structure. As something of an old greybeard, however, I have observed with some dismay how over the decades England's National Club Championship has declined in both team numbers and in prestige - not least because: (a) teams tend to be wary of entering a competition in which their entry fee may only entitle them to one match; (b) restrictive eligibility rules have made it difficult to raise competitive teams. I will leave it to others to judge whether either point is relevant to the Richardson Cup's own experience. However, the 4NCL has basically expanded to fill a need - as no doubt your own excellent SNCL has done.
Maybe (or maybe not) history has something to teach us.
Mike
PS We would love to have a Scottish team (or, even better, Scottish teams) play in the 4NCL. I doubt it will ever happen, in my lifetime at least, but I dream on. I see absolutely no threat to the SNCL should such a happy circumstance occur.
You're right. I was maybe being over-sensitive about what saw I (no doubt wrongly) as a slightly unfair pop at the 4NCL.
Each to their own of course, and I do understand the point of view of the advocates of the present Richardson Cup structure. As something of an old greybeard, however, I have observed with some dismay how over the decades England's National Club Championship has declined in both team numbers and in prestige - not least because: (a) teams tend to be wary of entering a competition in which their entry fee may only entitle them to one match; (b) restrictive eligibility rules have made it difficult to raise competitive teams. I will leave it to others to judge whether either point is relevant to the Richardson Cup's own experience. However, the 4NCL has basically expanded to fill a need - as no doubt your own excellent SNCL has done.
Maybe (or maybe not) history has something to teach us.
Mike
PS We would love to have a Scottish team (or, even better, Scottish teams) play in the 4NCL. I doubt it will ever happen, in my lifetime at least, but I dream on. I see absolutely no threat to the SNCL should such a happy circumstance occur.