Tollemache Cup ; Inter-county championship for teams of eight.

Qualifying Round

Applications are invited from pairs wishing to represent Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (‘HIWCBA’) in the above competition which will be held at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport on Saturday 19th November and Sunday 20th November.

All applicants must have prime EBU allegiance to HIWCBA for the 2016-2017 season.

Applicants must have achieved a demonstrable level of success as a pair in events of at least county standard.

Both members of each pairing must make application - indicating their mutual willingness to play together in the competition.

Players may only apply as part of one pairing.

Applications must be received by Monday 10th October 2016.

When the applications have been received the committee will select 5 pairs to represent HIWCBA plus 1 reserve pair to replace any of the selected pairs that withdraw. Confirmation of availability will be requested after completion of the selection process.

Provided that pairs meet the criteria listed above, selection of 4 pairs will be based on the pairs’ combined Gold Point scores as of 1st September 2016. The committee reserves the right to select the 5^th pair using whatever criteria it deems appropriate but again including Gold Point scores. The EBU has promised to provide the committee with the appropriate Gold Point information in respect of the above dates. When received from the EBU that data can be made available to any potential applicant on request – but only in respect of his/her own Gold Point score.

In the event of one of the originally-selected pairs being unable to play then the reserve pair will be asked if they are still available. If they are not, or if more than one pair withdraws, or any withdrawal is very close to the date of the actual competition, then whilst every attempt will be made to use the original selection criteria, the committee reserves the right to select a pair or pairs that it hopes will maximise the performance of the HIWCBA team.

Prospective applicants should note that in addition to meeting their own travel and accommodation costs, HIWCBA policy is that players may be required to pay a proportion of the team entry fee (£400 per team and therefore potentially £40 per person). That proportion is based on players’ participation in 13 designated events during the previous county season. If you have played in at least 6 of those you will pay nothing – if you have played in none then it will cost you £40.