Hilversum finished the 2010 Eerste Klasse season in last place. According to the rules of the competition, therefore, a play-off final would be due against the champions of the Overgangsklasse. However, for reasons beyond the control of Hilversum, its players and club management that game never took place. End result: the decision is made by the Bond to promote Amstelland CC to the EK in 2011.

Hilversum wants to go on record to congratulate Amstelland on their fantastic season in 2010. However, whilst the club congratulates them on their achievement, it also wants to highlight the fact that Hilversum was unable to defend its position in the EK due to factors, decisions and poor communications that were completely outside its control, and principally from the Bond, or persons the Bond was relying upon. The non-playing of the Eerste Klasse/Overgangsklasse final was the direct consequence of these events.

The second round ‘mini-league of the season was ill-thought out from start to finish. Who played where and when in the EK second phase became a lottery. The original planned series of games was thrown out, citing field availability. In other words, a Derde Klasse (Division 5) game takes precedence over an EK game. It was pot-luck as to whether a team played on Saturday or Sunday (or both in the same weekend). Obviously, this affected players’ availability, and could have a major effect on the result of matches.

Of course nobody can predict the weather, but EK games need to remain on one fixed day – Sundays. Then there are no arguments and no excuses. I wonder if the Bond will realize that field availability should give preference to the EK next season?

The EK season finished on 22 August. The Overgangsklasse season, following a debate about rained-off games and replays, finished on 5 September. The promotion/relegation play-off was finally planned to be held at Voorburg on 12 September – the last day of the season according to Art 1.15 of the Competition Rules.

It’s a shame that apparently nobody at Voorburg was aware of that. That is the only possible explanation I can give as to why there was a total, and I mean total, lack of preparation of either field 1 or field 2 (apparently the field hired by the Bond) at Voorburg for that day. If VCC were aware, then it simply makes me wonder how a club that can get international status for its field is unable to even open gates – the two captains were still trying to find the key to field 2 at 10.50.

There was overnight rain forecast, that duly fell, continuing into the morning. There was no provision for covering the artificial wickets on either field 1 or 2. On field 2, once on there, the two teams saw that there were no crease lines, boundary line, inner or outer circles (EK rules) marked, no stumps, scoreboard or chairs ready. In a word nothing, a total lack of preparation. Regardless of the weather at 11.00 there was no chance to play a serious game under EK rules on that field.

For this reason a joint decision to play on field 1 was taken by all parties, despite there being no preparation there either. The rain had left standing water on the square but there was no VCC representative available to advise on clear up or field preparation. Neither side had permission to work on clearing the water, never mind access to even basic equipment to do so. The umpires called the day off as there was no chance of play at 12.45. The afternoon turned out dry and sunny. The day was, from an organizational point of view, a total write-off and nothing short of a farce.

Between the afternoon of Sunday 12 September and 13:00 on Friday 17 September there was no confirmation from the Bond of a new location for the game,. Or even that the game would actually take place, somewhere. At 13:00 on Friday 17 September Hilversum receive an e-mail, followed by a call from the Bond, to say that the game was on, at Punjab CC, on Saturday 18th ‘if you can make it’ (that is, 22 hours before the start),or on Sunday (less than 48 hours before the proposed start of the game.)

I can’t comment for Amstelland, but for Hilversum this incredibly short notice confirming the game simply resulted in the fact that there was no time to assemble the team. A club event had already been planned and supplies purchased for the Saturday (a bbq) and that was communicated immediately, leaving Sunday 19th.

For the Sunday many players had given commitments to their other sports clubs (hockey, soccer, etc.). It is unreasonable to expect people to hang on for a possible match after the official end of the season when they are being asked to confirm availability for other sporting clubs, who have selection deadlines.

Hilversum informed Amstelland and the Bond at 11:00 on Saturday morning that under these circumstances it was not in a position to play, and thus defend our position in the EK. Now of course nobody is saying Hilversum would have won – Amstelland had a fantastic season and are no doubt a strong side – but the lack of communication and confirmation from the Bond simply left no time, and thus no option for Hilversum.

The Bond has awarded the promotion to Amstelland, and that club will have Hilversum’s support and best wishes in 2011 EK. We don’t deny Amstelland their promotion, but are very disappointed that despite waiting since 22 August, there was no opportunity to defend our EK status.

So what is the outcome of all of this apart from one small club’s misfortune? The play-off system, in conclusion, did not have all the possible issues considered up front, and assessed in advance of it being launched. The timing of the leagues involved was too far out of synch. The Wedstrijdreglement is not applied in full, or is inconsistent across the divisions. The process of field availability was fully underestimated, to the point of desperation in finding places to play.

Above all, the level of communication from the Bond requires re-assessment. The assumption that everything will work out at 22 or 46 hours’ notice is regrettably, in the real world, laughable. Hilversum does not challenge the Bond’s decision but urges the Bond to take a critical look at 2010 and pick up the learning points that have arisen. The events leading to the lack of a decent play off final for the EK/OVK were not only lamentable, but avoidable.