nbl

Northern Bridge League

(from the minutes of a meeting on 23rd Feb 2006 at Manchester BC)

Competing Counties:
Cumbria	ABC
Lancashire	ABC
Merseyside	ABCU
Manchester	ABCU
Yorkshire	ABCU
North East	ABCU	(Not AB in 1st match)
Westmorland	Not yet
Lincolnshire	B


A Level	6 Teams-of-8	(only 5 initially)
B Level	7 Teams-of-8	(only 6 initially)
C Level	6 Teams-of-8
U25 Level	4 Teams-of-8

Dates & Venues for 2006 (No. of Teams in Brackets):

Level:	A	B	C	U25
Sat 6th May	Brierfield (5)	Chester (6)	Manchester (6)	Manchester (4)
Sat 26th Aug	Manchester (6)	Keighley (7)	Blackburn (6)	Blackburn (4)
Sat 30th Sep	Bradford (6)	Darlington (7)	Brierfield (6)	Bradford (4)
Sat 28th Oct	Manchester (6)	Manchester (7)	Darlington (6)	Darlington (4)

(Also note Sat-Sun 29-30 July Presidents Cup at Sheffield)

Movements
4 Teams	3 * 12 board matches = 36 boards	(Only 36 Boards for U25s)
5 Teams	4 * 10 board matches = 40 boards
6 Teams	5 * 8 board matches = 40 boards
7 Teams	6 * 7 board matches = 42 boards

The exact details and movement cards to be designed by Jim Proctor.
There was a wish to keep it simple with all boards in matches being played simultaneously
but this would require more duplimated sets so may not be the practical option.

Scoring
Teams of “8” scoring: aggregating all four scores together before converting to IMPs.
Convert to Victory Points for each individual match

An average VP score will be determined at the end of the season so that any County playing
in 50% or more of the matches, but fewer than all, for any level can still participate.

Duplimated Boards
These will be used for matches at the same venue (but not necessarily the same duplimated boards
at other venues). It is hoped that only two sets of Duplimated Boards for each match should be
required but more may be needed dependent on the supplied movement.

Tournament Directors
Jim Proctor will be the appointed the chief TD and have the final authority on any disputed league matters.
It was generally felt there was little need for a TD for the A,B levels but may be needed for C and U25 levels.
The responsibility for setting the movement, arranging Duplimated boards, etc would rest with the Home County
(and specifically the Home Captain) for each match. Provision of stationery responsibility of home venue.

Times
Arrival 12:30 for tea/coffee with 1pm start time. Finish about 7:30pm

Team Levels
No stringent guidelines. The A team was the best County Team and the B Team should be below A standard.
The C Team may well include all potential County players and there was no wish to impose any MP Ranking limitation
since it needs to be made flexible. A player could play for two different levels (within strength reasons).
The U25 team may include some slightly older players if necessary to make up the pool of 8.

EBU Membership
All players for ABC teams must be EBU members. U25 players do not have to be EBU members
(but should be encouraged to become members).

Entry Fee
There will be a charge of £10 per player per match in the ABC level and £5 per player per match in the U25 level.
The collection should be managed by the Home Captain and it will be his responsibility to administer any payments
for duplimating, TD costs and club catering costs etc in line with his County policy.

Refreshments
Tea and coffee on arrival (12:30-1:00) and a buffet meal. It will be the Home County responsibility for provisions
above this level (eg tea/ coffee throughout, bar service etc) above this (minimum) requirement.

Trophies
A = Huggill Trophy, B = Yorks/Lancs Trophy, C = Spare Trophy tba?, U25 = Spare Trophy tba ?

Green Points
To be decided by Max Bavin.

Conventions Level
A/B Level 4, C Level 3, U25 Unrestricted!

Proposed Calendar Dates for 2007
Sat July 7th 2007, Sat Aug 25th 2007, Sat Sep 29th 2007, Sat Oct 27th 2007

General Objectives
A friendly league competition with appropriate standards for each playing level and
generally people to enjoy the bridge & refreshments as ‘a great day out’.

Main Actions

1			Jim Proctor to produce all movement information in liaison with Graham Jepson and distribute to all NBL County Contacts.
			This should include all Movement Cards for 4-7 Teams. (G.JEPSON / J.PROCTOR)
2			Brierfield, Chester and Manchester to begin preparations for first matches on Sat May 6th 2006. (A.PETRIE / J.HAMPSON / M.BYRNE)
3			League details with all Club Addresses/Postcodes to be sent to each County Rep. (M BYRNE / G JEPSON)

This was intended as the final meeting before the League starts.

NBL League Coordinators:		Graham Jepson and Michael Byrne

YORKSHIRE
Graham Jepson		24 Greystones Avenue, Sheffield S11 7AZ
Tel: 0114 2686258		Email: g.jepson267@btinternet.com

David Waxman		42 Ranmoor Crescent, Sheffield, S10 3GW
Tel: 0114 2630191		E-mail david.waxman@gemsoft.co.uk

Jim Proctor		Tel : 01723 364788

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