We start of this week with the sad fact that P-Country will not be in any articles after next week (unless someone wants to write about D2). Let us take a step back and remember the glorious years of P-Country in which they competed each and every season near the top of the pack and had some incredible runs at the Championship along the way.
We will all certainly miss them in the huts but the 2-0 loss to Merion this week mathematically eliminates them for next season. Each team has their issues when it comes to injuries, travels, and other work or family matters that create gaps in their line-up. Some squads have sufficient reserves and alternates to fill-in with the hopes that when the full squad is back together that they can then make their move.
Unfortunately for P-Country, they had too big a hold to dig out of from early in the season and the league has become so strong that making a miraculous comeback is even that more difficult. This coming Thursday, we should all raise a glass and wish for their speedy entrance back into D1 in the 2014-15 season.
We also lost Picket Post to D2 next season as their early win over Waynesborough, although served as a wakeup call to Waynesborough did not prove out to be the level they could compete with each and every week. Through the course of the season, they earned 2 victories but tied in courts a total of 7 times showing that they are close to hanging in for multiple seasons in the near future.
For those that did not follow the early Vegas odds, Vegas had the 2012 Mayan Calendar being more accurate than PP not being in the bottom 2 at the end of the season. Huntingdon Valley’s victory over P-Post not only clinched their spot for next season, it also moved them into 8th place with a spot of playing in the play-offs. H-Valley has won 5 of their last 6 matches and could prove to be a troublesome opponent in the play-offs. Vegas had their early point total at 16, which is exactly where they stand right now with a week to go in the season.
Philadelphia Cricket Club picked up a crucial 2 points this week and now have won 3 in a row taking down Greenville this week. This team caught fire at the time they needed it most and survived the late season scare of demotion. With their injured teammates back on the squad in the 2013/14 season, look to this team being back in the Top 6. Vegas had P-Cricket with 17 points for the season and their current total is 15. Greenville on the other hand did exactly what they needed to do to stay out of the bottom 2 for most of the season and they were predicted to achieve 22 points with a full Zink season and currently stand with 15 and are safe.
Waynesborough had to call their local cartographer as it has been years since they have traveled down to Wallingford to battle it out for first place in the D1 league. On Court 1, the much anticipated and match-up of the unbeatens as Vlatko and Steve Beers took on Mike McGrath and Furman. The result of this match no-one could have predicted as Vlatko and Beers came out hot and took the first two sets and only dropped a single game. In the third set, the Mikes came back and won an all important set 6-4. At the same time on court #3 Oberly and Studnick took all three sets from Crowther and Terragossa giving Waynesborough 2 courts and 5 sets.
Wallingford held tough and took all 6 set’s on courts 2 and 4 giving them the victory and 1st place with a match to go. Beers victory coupled with McGrath and Sopko’s losses leaves him with the only player unbeaten this season in d1. If Wallingford can win next week, they will end the regular in first place for the first time in the Clubs History. Vegas had Wallingford with 24 points and they currently have 25 and Waynesborough with 30 and they currently have 24.
Aronimink took three courts off of Martins-2 and now is one point out of second place and has Waynesborough in their sights for next week. Captain Dan and Aiden won the only court for MD2 in a lopsided set score of 6-1,2-6,6-1. With only 1 week to play, it looks like we will have an 8 team play off which will allow all of the Top 6 to have a post-season.
Martins-1 lost a hard fought match in a tie-breaker of sets to Overbrook. Overbrook now clinches their fourth place spot for the post-season. Vegas had Overbrook with 19 points for the season and they currently stand at 21. Martins-1 on the other hand was predicted to come in at 20 points and they currently stand at 16.5 pts.
The only races open in D1 is the spot between second and third place as Waynesborough and Aronimink stand a point a part and Waynesborough owns the tie-breaker. The other races if for 7th and 8th place as 4 teams each have a shot at the final 2 spots for the play-offs.
With the early weather forecasts for next Thursday looking good, looks like the following play-off schedule will be followed for Divisions 1 – 3.
February 21
Division 1
Quarter-Finals
The quarter finalists would consist of the Top 6 teams from the first half plus the top 2 teams from the Bottom 6 (includes all points for the entire season). The matches would be scored just like an ordinary season match.
Division 2
Quarter-Finals will be at 7PM (Sharp)
The quarter finalists would consist of the Top 6 teams from the first half plus the top 2 teams from the Bottom 6 (includes all points for the entire season). The matches would be scored just like an ordinary season match except that the 3rd set in each match will be played as a 10 point super tiebreaker.
The Semi-finals will be played immediately after the quarter finals
Division 3
This will be a semi-final match which will consist of the Top 4 teams from the Top 6. The matches would be scored just like an ordinary season match.
Notes:
Please note, that for all Quarter-Final and Semi-Final matches, both teams should bring 4 game balls. Food and Drink will be determined by the host club.
If any match results in a tie of courts, sets, and games, then the result of the third-set from court 1 will be the tie-breaker for the match.
February 28th
February 28th should be an exciting night as well as we finish off the season and both player and spectators are invited to watch the matches as MAPTA will be picked up the tab for the Beer and some snacks.
Division 1
7PM will be the Semi-finals. The matches would be scored just like an ordinary season match except that the 3rd set in each match will be played as a 10 point super tiebreaker. The matches will be played at Overbrook and Waynesborough. Immediately following the semi-final match (approx. 8:30), the finals will be played at Waynesborough. This match will be scored like an ordinary season match including a full third set.
Division 2
7PM will be the finals and will be played at Aronimink. This match will be scored like an ordinary season match including a full third set.
Division 3
7PM will be the finals and will be played at Martins Dam. This match will be scored like an ordinary season match including a full third set.
Notes:
Everyone from D2 and D3 is invited to watch the D1 Championship Match at Waynesborough and MAPTA will be picking up the Tab for Beer and Snacks.
