South London Bike Polo (Tues/Thurs/Sun) - Newington gardens SE1 / Agnes Riley gardens SW12

I agree with the sentiments on not fucking with beginner nights. The sport needs new players and these are not people involved in the league, or as has been said, are not likely to voice concerns to more established community players.

However I think it entirely reasonable and even expected, given the shortage of courts, that league games should be allowed to happen on Mondays and Wednesdays. A lot of the players in these games will be throw-in regulars anyway, in years past (in deep winter, we've had a generally warm run this year up until the past week) throwins wouldn't happen WITHOUT a league game and moreover is why the league was set up (to motivate people to continue playing despite harsh conditions).

Just bear in mind a lot of why league games happen on throwin nights is because people have already allotted that time to polo in their personal lives. For instance: I am on late shifts every night except Monday and Wednesday, meaning it's pretty impossible for me to organise a league game that isn't on these evenings, or a weekend.

I do think it's reasonable, however, to ask the community to do as much as possible to avoid two league games on one throwin night. Even with two courts that would prove highly disruptive.

Right jimmy that what im talking about

I can't say I'm as certain as either party here, I'm like jimmy in that I've basically
Reserved Mondays and Wednesdays for polo. So both our league games have been on a Monday.

The first game against winter, was when Mitch was closed, it was the only day all of us could do so we didn't really have a choice, if you read the league thread you'll see that I did suggest westway and I also posted apologising for the use and saying we'd wait for the second court. As it was, it rained during the day, there were two big puddles and I very much doubt there would have been any throwin's if it wasn't for the league game...
I'm not as certain that was the case with the clerks game, I did voice my concern to the others about playing on a game night (again), and I do think our game is what caused Ag to complain. But again (although I'm not as certain) I don't think there would have been enough players if we played elsewhere...

Slain do you even league :) cono

Pfff! ;)

Throw-ins > League

So some people have dedicated mondays and weds to playing polo. Yes alot of us have and some of us have decided not to play in the league because we only want to play throwins on mon/wed. if you have signed up for the league its not really the fault of people who havent that you cannot find another time to play. yes sometimes throwin nights are slim on numbers expecially in winter, but the rule of thumb has always been no league games on those nights. The real difficulty is that we have now added tuesday to attract beginners. A modicum of cooperation has to be achieved, but as someone posted above. if we have 2.5 hours of polo on a throwin night, its not cool to suck up any of that time with league play. Imagine if i said "i cant find any time to play throwins around my busy schedule so i'll just play every throw in between 7-8pm and then leave you guys to get on with it" It wouldnt be cool would it?

just seen all the above. Erm.

Clerks and Daredevils are playing tomorrow. We hope to get the lights on at Hackney Downs and tried on Friday but were told to call back on monday morning. Hopefully we can get it but otherwise we would need to play at Newt as this is the only day we can do.

Happy to wait for the other court and play some throwins if thats ok with people.

I believe the issue is with league players just turning up wanting to pay their fixture without giving due consideration to throw ins. This I emphasise again also happened in previous seasons. If at least a majority (4 or more if not all) of those playing the match turns up early there will be plenty of games for everyone (We get at least 4 at any sessions at Souths so it's a reasonable assumption). Yeah, you've got a fixture and you don't wanna be tired but you'll only have to play every other game if 4 of the fixture players turn up. Bit of a rant yeah whatever but the league was meant to get people playing in the winter but as it is it's counter productive, oh yeah the "without the league players there won't be enough for throw ins" excuse, throw ins > league games on scheduled throw in nights, also without throw ins you'll not be playing the league anyway, if you wanna bite the fingers who feeds you go ahead.

Throw-ins > League

Of course.

We want to play league then just come early from work that day, or show up and wait till the other court is free. It's just not fair on everyone else otherwise.

And please don't post it here, as then throw-in players won't show up.

i'm sure the league committee will be able to look into extensions if people are struggling to get fixtures done. Its meant to be fun right? Also people who wanna play pick up and no league shouldn't have to sacrifice unless they wanna. I was struggling to get me games done and couldn't see time to fit them in but it has worked out.

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

good point well made

Of course.

Want to play league just come early from work that day and play it, or just show up and wait till the other court is free. Don't post it here that you want to play league game on a monday, as then throw-in players won't show up.

agata, most people cant just sack off work early that doesnt make sense as a solution. If i did that id be out of a job pretty fast.

In my post I said that we would (if we absolutely have to play at Newt) wait for the second court to come available and happy to play throwins too. As you forfeit a game if you cant play before the deadline (EDIT: Badger, i hope so but trditionally that hasnt really been the case...), people will have to ask to play games on throwin nights. If people say no categorically then people wont play league games. there really is no harm in asking though

Also our game with your team on 2nd December is on a monday and unless we all pay to get Downs lights (and can get them) we would need to do it at Newington...

good point well made

Ha! +1

I understand your point, but if you cannot play on any other days than the two when usual pick-ups are played, then maybe you don't have time for league?

And yep, cool that you guys are trying to work it out for this mon, keeping fingers crossed.

I also arranged my life around those 2 eves off for pick-ups and, as much as i like reffing some games, it's not ok to do it every week. Maybe just figure out how to give your team other days / day to play on. It's possible.

FYI Our game on a monday is supposed to take place in the north. if it ends up south then we just rock up and wait for the other court.

Is punkture = Ben ?

yup its Ben. Rocking up and waiting for the court is what i was suggesting originally ;) Also, we cant get mitch on a monday so hopefully we can get downs for our game on the 2nd.

Understand the throwins>league games argument and agree with you agata but sometimes what jimmy said further up the thread must be fair...

jimmy who ? citygent ?

yes!
#getwiththeprogram

Ben, can you post up as soon as you know if you have downs or not.

of course. If we do play at Newt we will play throwings before and after and only play our game when the second court is available so it shouldent be a reason not to come to throwins...

How would people feel about a compromise where we kept one day as sacred (i.e. league games are banned) and the other two as "try to avoids"?

I think we all agree that we want league and throw ins to not get in each other's way. But when you're trying to get six people in the same place at the same time (and when they are all based around souths, as generally league 2 is) it's pretty difficult to block out half the week - especially when people tend to be free then because polo.

But it probably would be practical to say no league games on a Wednesday (or Monday, whatever), and try to avoid them on other days.

Two courts is in theory ok, but from what I've seen the last few times, is even if a court is free. 6 souths players plus 3/4 reffing = not enough people for throw-ins on the other court.

Phil, personally i'd be ok with arranging the day and sticking to it ( like wednesday for pick ups or other) .
**But let's see what other SE players say about this :) **

Also keep in mind that this might not be a problem later, when it's snowing/raining, but for now let's allow people to play while it's not freezing !

Re. tuesdays, you'd need to discuss it with the beginners, not here.

I would say NO and this is from a personal point of view.

Throw ins > league as always and yeah since you will be playing the fixture anyway, just turn up earlier (this applies to those who can but don't, not those who work till 7 and would bomb all the way spinning like crazy to the courts).

Also, turning up late and just hanging around chatting, WTH is that all about? It's a sad state of affairs TBH. I live in E3 which is a bit of a ride to get to Newington and especially in winter, and the worse is riding back in the bloody cold just for 2 or 3 games.

I'm out... Enjoy your league game...

fucks sake Joe. it wont get in the way of league games. Read the posts

Typical Joe reaction is typical. He's trolling man, I haven't seen him at the court in ages!

I think everyone needs to chill a bit. Unlikely to be an issue as it gets colder.

Why not use westway if downs doesn't work?

Good point Lou. Will look into that. Won't get any refs though

If the two teams buy six beers each for the refs team I'll come and ref... If there's no one else I'm happy to try to drink all 12.

May be better off without a ref.