[<<] [>>] by Bruce Rannie
14th April 2006 (CqE Official News)

Inter-Club

Twelve clubs have entered this year, with four First Round ties. Newcomers Woking and Hamptworth are drawn to meet in Round One, the winners to meet Surbiton, Hurlingham play Cheltenham, the winners to play Wrest Park, Bowdon are drawn against Bristol (again), the winners to play Sussex County, and holders Nottingham meet Colchester, the winners to play East Dorset.

Mary Rose

Eighteen clubs have entered this year, so the draw is again in two sections. Holders Blewbury, this year in the northerly Section, meet Ipswich in the Second Round. Two First Round ties are between Cheltenham and East Dorset (winners play Bristol), and Roehampton and Woking (winners play Surbiton). Remaining Second Round ties are Pendle & Craven v Newport Essex, Bowdon v Nottingham, Colchester v Wrest Park, Sussex County v Medway and local derby Hurlingham v Parsons Green, this year in the southerly Section.

Secretary's Shield

Holders Woodhall Spa join the nine qualifiers from the Federations to compete for the Shield. In the First Round, Woodhall Spa play Watford (winners play Blewbury) and Canterbury play Tyneside (winners play Fylde). Bath play Shrewsbury and Ashby play Beverley in the other Second Round ties.

Longman Cup

Entries have been put into four sections to keep the draw reasonably regional. The sequence of sections in the draw was itself drawn, with North and Midlands, South-West and Wales, East and London, South and South-East being the result. Of the 39 entries, last year's final four all go straight into the Second Round. Holders East Dorset play High Wycombe, and runners-up (as in 2004) Surbiton play Caterham. Third-placed Bury play Southport Birkdale, while Newport Essex play Hurlingham.

The full draws, with dates for completing each round, and the usual letter giving details, are being circulated to club contacts, and are available on the CA Website under Tournaments. The letter has been amplified to cover new regulations re selecting a venue and date for a match, and to detail how to handle a match should bad weather intervene.

Bruce Rannie, Tournaments Director