WEEK 15 - Tuesday, 19/10/10

At one point during the evening Pup and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders. Pup also farted, but to be fair, he'd been doing that all night, so that was besides the point.

The point was that same resigned feeling we had a couple of seasons ago, when we struggled to keep the Cue-Tease at a reasonable level and failed despite our most heroic efforts, because we had too many new, inexperienced or just plain crap players.

Of course the crap part was not the case with the Bombers, but the new and inexperienced bit definitely was, with KE & Millsy in particular both in their first seasons and posting first season figures :-). The stats told us that Pup was clinging to positive in games won and in for & against, a heroic effort. After Pup there was not much between Diddy and Dux (in either games won or for & against) and we fell away after that. Once you factored in handicaps, Scotty joined Diddy and Dux just below Pup. But none of these four could be relied on to win big on any given night, as was evidenced by the fact that only Pup was clinging (barely) to positive results.

But I get ahead of myself (and as usual a little off track as well).

The home derby at the Clock featured the Boys at home to the Bombers and the Boys were always going to give us something.

Because we were still spotting KE 10, they gave us a modest 30 points. Protecting that lead was never going to be an easy task, but wins to Pup and KE in the first kept us within 20 going into the 2nd round.

Scotty got run out to 1 in the 2nd, so despite black ball losses to KE and Pup and a win to Diddy, the lead was just 5 after 2 rounds.

The 2rd round was a dark and soulless place with a black ball loss to Pup our best effort and we were 22 behind and fading fast.

Pup and Diddy lost on the black (Diddy went in off) and a win to Scotty meant we were 34 adrift going into the final round.

We needed to put in a big effort in the last to keep the result under 50. Scotty got run out on in the 5th and despite wins to Diddy and Pup, we gave the Boys exactly 50 points, max points in the most hurtful way possible - barely.

Bidwell Boys 230 - Bidwell Bombers 180.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Pup with -3.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Pup with -0.5.
- Best win/loss% was shared by Diddy and Pup with 2/5 (40%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
7. Millsy: (-23) -171.
6. Scotty: (-28) -107.
5. Hooters: (*) -76.
4. KE: (-17) -57.
3. Diddy: (-9) -49.
2. Dux: (*) -37.
1. Pup: (-3) +1.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 12.5.
5. KE: (+10 minus +12.5) -2.5
4. Pup: (+10 minus +12.5) -2.5
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +12.5) -5
2. Millsy: (+2.5 minus +12.5) -10
1. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +12.5) -10

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Scotty: (-28 minus -10) -18.
4. KE: (-17 minus -2.5) -14.5.
3.Millsy: -23 minus -10)-13
2. Diddy: (-9 minus -5) -4.
1. Pup: (-3 minus -2.5) -0.5.

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
Season Team Figures
7.Millsy: -152.5
6. KE: -56.5.
5. Diddy: -36.5.
4. Dux: -32.5
3. Scotty: -26.5.
2. Pup: +13.
1. Hooters: +58

WIN/LOSS% (CUMULATIVE)
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
7. KE: (3/12) 20.00%
6. Millsy: (13/47) 21.67%.
5. Scotty: (17/33) 34.00%
4. Hooters: (17/28) 37.78%.
3. Dux: (27/33) 45.00%.
2. Diddy: (25/30) 45.45%.
1. Pup: (33/32) 50.77%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 14 - Tuesday, 12/10/10

Well the Breaks were chock full of players who you could not give a chance to, so we knew there would be some run outs. The key was to capitalise when we got the chance to get to the table, but this was easier said than done.

They gave us a modest 35 at the top and got a 2.5 at the bottom for Kylie, a gyp if ever there was one.

Scotty, Diddy & KE started us off with wins in the first and even with Pup copping a 10-0 runout we were 37 ahead going into the 2nd round.

But the Breaks clicked into gear in the 2nd and we came away with a solitary win to Pup and a 14 point lead after 2 rounds.

Pup and Dux won in the 3rd but some pretty convinving smackings meant we were 3 behind after 3 and staring down the barrel of a max points bashing.

Diddy won in the 4th and KE lost on the black, but both Dux and Pup got run out on 10-0 ensuring we were 31 points adrift going into the final round.

We needed to put in a big effort in the last to keep the result under 50, but a solitary win to Scotty was not enough and the Breaks had won by max points running away.

Lucky Breaks 220.5 - Bidwell Bombers 165.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Diddy with -14.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Scotty with -2.5.
- Best win/loss% was shared by Scotty, Diddy and Pup with 2/5 (40%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
7. Millsy: (*) -148.
6. Scotty: (-15) -79.
5. Hooters: (*) -76.
4. KE: (-17) -40.
3. Diddy: (-14) -40.
2. Dux: (-24) -37.
1. Pup: (-18) +4.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 15.
5. KE: (+10 minus +15) -5
4. Dux: (+10 minus +15) -5
3. Pup: (+10 minus +15) -5
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +15) -7.5
1. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +15) -12.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Dux: (-24 minus -5) -19.
4. Pup: (-18 minus -5) -13.
3. KE: (-17 minus -5) -12.
2. Diddy: (-14 minus -7.5) -6.5.
1. Scotty: (-15 minus -12.5) -2.5.

WIN/LOSS% (CUMULATIVE)
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
7. KE: (2/8) 20.00%
6. Millsy: (13/42) 23.64%.
5. Scotty: (16/29) 35.56%
4. Hooters: (17/28) 37.78%.
3. Dux: (27/33) 45.00%.
2. Diddy: (23/27) 46.00%.
1. Pup: (31/29) 51.67%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 13 - Tuesday, 05/10/10.

With Hooters departed unless needed in the finals, KE has stepped into the breach and with Pup out, today KE was on debut against the St Marys Brewhouse!

We gave them 2.5 at the top and 15 at the bottom, which was an ominous sign, given our low handicaps.

KE started out with a nervous ball in hand that gifted his opponent a 10-0 start and aside from Dux losing on the black and Scotty picking up a win, it was a pretty bad start for the Bombers Luckily the flip side said we should only get better, given we were now 34 behind after 1 round.

The second was a much better effort. Millsy lost on the black and Scotty, Diddy and Dux all won their games, leaving us 31 behind after 2 rounds.

Unfortunately a black ball loss to Diddy and wins to Dux and Millsy was the best we could muster from the 3rd and we were now 35 points behind and in danger of losing by max points.

We knew we had to pull it out in the 4th if we were to have any chance of bringing this back and it was our best round by far with wins to Dux, KE, Scotty and Diddy, leaving us just 19 points behind with a round to play.

Alas it was not to be. The Brewhouse finished with a flourish and only Dux managed a win, leaving us 37.5 points adrift at the end of play and now the unenvied owner of a dismal 30.77% win/loss percentage for the season.

St Marys Brewhouse 215.5 - Bidwell Bombers 178.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Dux with +21.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Dux with +14.
- Best win/loss% was Dux with 4/5 (80%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
7. Millsy: (-15) -148.
6. Hooters: (*) -76.
5. Scotty: (0) -64.
4. Diddy: (-3) -26.
3. KE: (-23) -23.
2. Dux: (+21) -13.
1. Pup: (*) +22.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 3.
5. KE: (+10 minus +3) +7
4. Dux: (+10 minus +3) +7
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +3) +4.5
2. Millsy: (+2.5 minus +3) -0.5
1. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +3) -0.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. KE: (-23 minus +7) -30.
4. Millsy: (-15 minus -0.5) -14.5.
3. Diddy: (-3 minus +4.5) -7.5.
2. Scotty: (0 minus -0.5) +0.5.
1. Dux: (+21 minus +7) +14.

WIN/LOSS% (CUMULATIVE)
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
7. KE: (1/4) 20.00%
6. Millsy: (13/42) 23.64%.
5. Scotty: (14/26) 35.00%
4. Hooters: (17/28) 37.78%.
3. Diddy: (21/24) 46.67%.
2. Dux: (26/29) 47.27%.
1. Pup: (29/26) 52.73%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 12 - Tuesday, 28/09/10

Hooters was playing her last game again and it was a friendly, a home game against the Reapers.

They gave us 35 at the top and 5 at the bottom, so it was really a case of putting on the shoes and seeing how fast we could run.

It was strangely hard for most of us to get fired up, probably because it seemed like a relaxing hit out amongst friends. Pup was the exception, champing at the bit to teach the entire Reapers team a lesson.

In the first Hooters and Pup won their games giving us a 27 point buffer going into the 2nd.

Diddy lost on the black but Dux and Pup won keeping the Bidwell Bombers 20 points clear as we entered the 3rd round.

Diddy lost another black ball game in the 3rd with Pup pulling out the sole win for the round which meant we were a tiny 3 points ahead heading into the 4th.

Diddy finally won a game and Pup continued his magnificent run, ensuring the Bombers were still in the battle only 6 behind going into the final round.

It was there to play for, but wins to Millsy and a perfect night for Pup was never going to be enough, leaving us 11 points adrift at the end of play and now a dismal 33.33% win/loss percentage for the season.

Bidwell Bombers 205 - Reapers 216.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Pup with +19.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Pup with +22.
- Best win/loss% was Pup with 5/5 (100%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-21) -133.
5. Hooters: (-21) -76.
4. Scotty: (*) -64.
3. Dux (-14) -34.
2. Diddy: (-14) -23.
1. Pup: (+19) +22.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 13.
5. Pup: (+10 minus +13) -3
4. Dux: (+10 minus +13) -3
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +13)-5.5
2. Millsy: (+2.5 minus +13)-10.5
1. Scotty: (-5 minus +13) -18

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Dux: (-14 minus -3) -11.
4. Millsy: (-21 minus -10.5) -10.5.
3. Diddy: (-14 minus -5.5) -8.5.
2. Hooters: (-21 minus -18) -3.
1. Pup: (+19 minus -3) +22.

WIN/LOSS% (CUMULATIVE)
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (12/38) 24.00%.
5. Scotty: (11/24) 31.43%
4. Hooters: (17/28) 37.78%.
3. Dux: (22/28) 44.00%.
2. Diddy: (19/21) 47.50%.
1. Pup: (29/26) 52.73%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

Week 11 - Tuesday, 21/09/10.

Hooters asked to sit out again as she was finalising the removal of her earthly belongings to Qld. But she was certain she would be back for her last week the next week, a home game against the Reapers.

This week we were home to Jack Daniel Pioneer who gave us a paltry 5 points, so it was a fair fight with no advantage really to either side.

We started on fire. Pup took the cocky prize for the night when he said he would run out and promptly did so against Tony. Wins to Millsy and Diddy and a black ball loss to Dux rounded out a solid first round and we were 15 up heading into the 2nd round.

Millsy lost on the black and things only got worse from there in the 2nd, with the team failing to register a single win and we were 6 behind going into the 3rd.

Diddy lost on the black after kindly showing his opponent a ball in hand and Dux, Scotty and Pup all took out wins making the 3rd our best round thus far and we were only 3 behind with 2 rounds to go.

Dux and Diddy sniffed out wins but a couple of big losses meant we were 14 behind heading into the final round.

We had it all to play for and Millsy and Diddy lost narrow games on the black, but a solitary win to Dux was never going to do it and we finished 27 points behind, leaving us foundering on 36.36% win/loss percentage for the season.

Bidwell Bombers 180 - Jack Daniel 207.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Dux with +2.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Dux with 0.
- Best win/loss% was Dux with 3/5 (60%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-15) -112.
5. Hooters: (*) -55.
4. Scotty: (-19) -64.
3. Dux (+2) -20.
2. Diddy: (-1) -9.
1. Pup: (+1) +3.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 8.
5. Pup: (+10 minus +8) +2
4. Dux: (+10 minus +8) +2
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +8)-0.5
2. Millsy: (+5 minus +8)-3
1. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +8) -5.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Scotty: (-19 minus -5.5) -13.5.
4. Millsy: (-15 minus -3) -12.
3. Pup: (+1 minus +2) -1.
2. Diddy: (-1 minus -0.5) -0.5.
1. Dux: (+2 minus +2) 0.

WIN/LOSS% (CUMULATIVE)
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (11/34) 24.44%.
5. Scotty: (11/24) 31.43%
4. Hooters: (16/24) 40.00%.
3. Dux: (21/24) 46.67%.
2. Pup: (24/26) 48.00%.
1. Diddy: (18/17) 51.43%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 10 - Tuesday, 14/09/10.

Hooters asked to sit out as she was running out of time to prepare for her move and was trying to focus on her marriage and family. I respected that, but she would be sorely missed by her team mates and we would not forget that her agreeing to play kept the team afloat for the first few weeks after we were dogged by Pick and co.

This week we had the Rat Pack who had to give us 52.5, so we really needed to pot balls and take all of our opportunities to keep them on the back foot.

Millsy lost on the black and Dux won his game, but Diddy was carved up to 2 by Pick and it was a slow start for the rest of the team, meaning the margin was reduced to 35 going into the 2nd round.

Diddy provided the only win of the 2nd round in what was a fairly pedestrian effort and we were 19 ahead going into the 3rd.

Scotty and Millsy were unlucky to lose on the black and Diddy picked up his 2nd but that left the Bombers 4 points ahead of a rampaging Rat Pack with 2 full rounds to go.

Dux had the dubious honour of copping the first run out of the night by Pick in the 4th but Diddy lost on the black and Pup and Scotty both won to put us a respectable 8 points behind with a sniff if we finished strong, going into the 5th and final round.

Pick ran out on Scotty and their Scotty did the same to Dux but sunk a ball for him, so the only saving grace in the final round was a black ball loss to Pup and a win by Diddy.

So in the end it was a virtually identical scoreline to the previous week and we were down to a 40% win/loss percentage for the season.

Bidwell Bombers 196.5 - Grey Guns 227.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Diddy with 0.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Diddy with +10.
- Best win/loss% was Diddy with 3/5 (60%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-22) -97.
5. Hooters: (-17) -55.
4. Scotty: (-20) -45.
3. Dux (-24) -22.
2. Diddy: (0) -8.
1. Pup: (-17) +2.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 17.5.
5. Pup: (+10 minus +17.5) -7.5
4. Dux: (+10 minus +17.5) -7.5
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +17.5)-10
2. Millsy: (+5 minus 17.5)-12.5
1. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +17.5) -15

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Dux: (-24 minus -7.5) -16.5
3. Pup: (-17 minus -7.5) -9.5.
3. Millsy: (-22 minus -12.5) -9.5
2. Scotty: (-20 minus -15) -5.
1. Diddy: (0 minus -10) +10.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (10/30) 25.00%.
5. Scotty: (10/20) 33.33%
4. Hooters: (16/24) 40.00%.
3. Dux: (18/22) 45.00%.
2. Pup: (22/23) 48.89%.
1. Diddy: (16/14) 53.33%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 9 - Tuesday, 07/09/10.

Pup called me up mid afternoon of game day, trying to exit stage left after a tiring day on the golf course, but I really believed we could win this stoush at home with the top dogs of our zone and needed our best players on deck for the mission.

We got 40 at the top and 5 at the bottom but needed to be on our game from the start and we were just off. Hooters started us off with a win, but Pup's loss on the black was the best of a series of narrow losses to follow and we were 29 clear going into the 2nd.

Dux had the dubious honour of being on the receiving end of the first runout for the night and Hooters also went down for the loss of just 1 ball. Suffice to say that Pup's black ball loss was the best of a bad round and the Grey Guns had destroyed the 40 point lead and took a 2 point advantage into the 3rd.

Diddy took his turn to be run out on in the 3rd and the single highlight was Dux pulling out just the 2nd win for the team and we were 24 behind and looking like losing by max points with 2 rounds still to play.

Dux was close to run out on in the 4th, but 3 black ball losses to Hooters, Scotty and Pup kept things slightly respectively and Diddy's win kept us 38 points behind and playing to stop them getting max points on us.

It was Pup's turn to be run out on in the 5th, but a fighting finish with wins to Diddy, Scotty and Dux left us 36 points behind at the end of play, saving the indignity of being thrashed by max points.

Bidwell Bombers 191 - Grey Guns 227.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Diddy with -11.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +2.
- Best win/loss% was a tie between Diddy and Dux with 2/5 (40%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (*) -75.
5. Hooters: (-17) -55.
4. Scotty: (-12) -25.
3. Diddy: (-11) -8.
2. Dux (-15) +2.
1. Pup: (-26) +19.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 14.
5. Pup: (+10 minus +14) -4
4. Dux: (+10 minus +14) -4
3. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +14)-6.5
2. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +14) -11.5
1. Hooters: (-5 minus +14) -19

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Pup: (-26 minus -4) -22.
4. Dux: (-15 minus -4) -11
3. Diddy: (-11 minus -6.5) -4.5.
2. Scotty: (-12 minus -11.5) -0.5.
1. Hooters: (-17 minus -19) +2.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (10/25) 28.57%.
3. Scotty: (9/16) 36.00%
4. Hooters: (16/24) 40.00%.
5. Dux: (17/18) 48.57%.
2. Diddy: (13/12) 52.00%.
1. Pup: (21/19) 52.50%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 8 - Tuesday 31/08/10.

No sooner out of his back slab, into his boot and off his crutches, here comes Diddy, sniffing for a game. Dux was rostered out and filling in for the Reapers. They had offered to loan us extras when we were short at the start of the comp and we were happily returning the favour.

Week 8 was our 3rd away game on the road and we were proving to be a shithouse road team.

This week we were playing the mediocre Vineyard Vultures, who looked little threat to anyone without the big name players they lost when Pick left.

Of course we were no pretty picture either. We had a core of experience, but Hooters was distracted with upcoming moves and Diddy was off balance and out of practice.

The handicap adjustments had just hit too. Hooters, Dux and Pup were up, Diddy and Millsy were down, Scotty stayed the same.

You can never rely on 2 players to carry any team, so we needed to lift across the board if we were to reverse our recent form.

We took 15 points at the top and 5 at the bottom and immediately set about justifying our lower handicaps, with Hooters the sole win for the 1st round and Diddy and Scotty losing on the black. The Vultures had annhilated our slender lead in quick order and we were just 3 points ahead going into the 2nd.

Diddy, Scotty and Pup all registered wins in the 2nd but the size of the losses meant the lead was only 4 points going into the 3rd.

The Bombers fell apart in the 3rd, failing to register a win, with Millsy's black ball loss the best of a bad round and we were 18 points behind and dropping fast.

We continued this momentum in the 4th, with Pup's black ball loss the best we could point at and we were in freefall, 43 points behind and looking at giving them max points.

We finally knuckled down with wins to Hooters, Diddy and Scotty in the final round, but it was way too little way too late, saving the 50 point thrashing but conceding a hefty loss. We were now hanging onto the top half of the draw by our fingernails.

Vineyard Vultures 219 - Bidwell Bombers 185.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was a 3 way tie between Diddy, Scotty and Hooters with -6.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +7.
- Best win/loss% was a 3 way tie between Diddy, Scotty and Hooters with 2/5 (40%).













BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-23) -75.
5. Hooters: (-6) -38.
4. Scotty: (-6) -13.
3. Diddy: (-6) +3.
2. Dux (*) +17.
1. Pup: (-13) +45.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 8.
5. Pup: (+10 minus +8) +2
4. Diddy: (+7.5 minus +8)-0.5
3. Millsy: (+5 minus +8) -3
2. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +8) -5.5
1. Hooters: (-5 minus +8) -13

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Millsy: (-23 minus -3) -20.
4. Pup: (-13 minus +2) -11.
3. Diddy: (-6 minus -0.5) -5.5.
2. Scotty: (-6 minus -5.5) -0.5.
1. Hooters: (-6 minus -13) +7.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (10/25) 28.57%.
3. Scotty: (8/12) 40.00%
4. Hooters: (15/20) 42.86%.
5. Dux: (15/15) 50.00%.
2. Diddy: (11/9) 55.00%.
1. Pup: (21/14) 60.00%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 7 - Tuesday, 24/08/10.

Unfinished Biz.

This highly credentialled mostly Samoan outfit gave the Bombers a 32 point start at the top and 7.5 down the bottom, so the task at hand was front running and Unfinished Biz were playing catch up.

Dux, Scotty and Pup came out with first round wins to put the Bombers 38 points clear going into the 2nd.

Dux won his 2nd and Scotty lost on the black to allow Unfinished Biz to make up some ground, back to 25 behind.

The third round was a shocker with 2 black ball losses the best of a bad mix and the scores were level going into the 4th.

Hooters posted the sole Bombers win for the 4th round and they were 14 behind going into the final round. Millsy, Scotty and Pup all managed wins to give the Bombers a sniff, but it wasn't enough and Unfinished Biz took the 12 points.

Unfinished Biz 214 - Bidwell Bombers 203.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Scotty with 0.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was ???.
- Best win/loss% was a tie between Dux, Scotty and Pup all with 2/5 (40%).

WEEK 6 - Tuesday, 17/08/10.

So I was cruising down a back street in Toongabbie at 7.55am on my way to work when a ute charged out of a side street and left me with nowhere to go except down.

But this is about the Bombers, not the Diddy, so suffice to say that one cannot play pool immediately on a broken ankle (one did try) and so Diddy was out for the next few weeks.

Not being at the games, I am instead reading the game sheets as if they were tea leaves and here is what I can summarise about our stoush away with the Embassy team.

Hooters arrived late.

I can't see that anywhere, that's just normally what happens :-)!

OK here's what I can see from the game sheets.

The Bombers gave the Embassy team 12 points at the top while retaining 7.5 at the bottom, so the net difference was 4.5 points.

The first round was a disaster, with a black ball loss to Scotty a notable mention and a win to Pup the only bright light and they were 28 in front.

In the 2nd Dux and Pup both picked up wins and Hooters lost on the black, leaving the Bombers 32 adrift heading into the 3rd.

Dux and Pup repeated their 2nd round heroics and Scotty chipped in with another black ball loss, leaving the Bombmers 33 behind heading into the 4th.

The 4th was the Bombers best round, with wins to Pup, Hooters, Dux and Scotty, leaving the Bombers 19 points behind as they headed into the final round. To make up 19 points, the Bombers had to win every game by an average of 10-6. That's a big ask!

Unfortunately they 3 black ball losses were the closest the Bombers came to a win in the final round and Embassy were home comfortably.

Embassy Hotel 217.5 - Bidwell Bombers 185.5.


So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Pup with +18.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +12.5.
- Best win/loss% was Millsy with 4/5 (80%).












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-19) -14.
5. Hooters: (-21) 0.
4. Scotty: (+5) +5.
3. Diddy: (0) +9.
2. Dux (-3) +23.
1. Pup: (+5) +37.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 3.
5. Millsy: (+10 minus +3) +7
3. Dux: (+7.5 minus +3) +4.5
3. Pup: (+7.5 minus +3) +4.5
2. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +3) -0.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +3) -10.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Millsy: (-22 minus +7) -29.
4. Scotty: (-12 minus -0.5) -11.5.
3. Dux: (+1 minus +4.5) -3.5.
2. Hooters: (-12 minus -10.5) -1.5.
1. Pup: (+18 minus +4.5) +13.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (9/16) 36.00%.
5. Scotty: (4/6) 40.00%
4. Dux: (13/12) 52.00%.
3. Hooters: (11/9) 55.00%.
2. Diddy: (9/6) 60.00%.
1. Pup: (18/7) 72.00%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 5 - Tuesday, 10/08/10.

This comp has a very odd home and away schedule, so back home to the Clock we went for the 2nd week in a row, to front the LA Shooters team. We'd spoken a few times to Victoria whose work and personal circumstances were changing and she finally joined the team during the week, so after Pup and I tossed the roster around, I agreed to sit out this contest.

LA Shooters had a pretty handy roster, but the flip side of that was that they gave us 35 at the top and 7.5 down the bottom.

In the first round we started pretty poorly with 4 straight losses, but Pup arrived to stop the rot and help us take an 18 point lead into the 2nd.

The 2nd was a superb round with Millsy, Hooters, Scotty and Pup all picking up wins and we were 30 points clear going into the 3rd!

The 3rd was a disastrous round with black ball losses to Millsy, Dux and Pup our best performance and we were a tiny 8 points clear going into the 4th.

Hooters lost on the black and wins to Dux, Scotty and Pup took us out to a 17 point lead and a good look at a win in this seesawing contest, but we needed to come home strong in the 5th.

Millsy, Hooters and Pup managed 3 points between them to narrow the gap and send the pressure through the roof. But Scotty was equal to the task, calmly potting out to win her contest and Dux then stepped up with a superb series of shots to win his game handsomely and give us a narrow 9.5 point win.

While Dux and Scotty pulled out their must win final games, Scotty and Pup kept the team in it with their overall performances - matching +5 on for and against and winning 3 of 5 games for the night!

Bidwell Bombers 207.5 - LA Shooters 198.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was a tie to Scotty and Pup with +5.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Scotty with +15.
- Best win/loss% was Scotty and Pup with 3/5 (60%) each.












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
6. Millsy: (-19) -14.
5. Hooters: (-21) 0.
4. Scotty: (+5) +5.
3. Diddy: (0) +9.
2. Dux (-3) +23.
1. Pup: (+5) +37.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 12.5.
5. Millsy: (+10 minus +12.5) -2.5
3. Dux: (+7.5 minus +12.5) -5
3. Pup: (+7.5 minus +12.5) -5
2. Scotty: (+2.5 minus +12.5) -10
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +12.5) -20

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Millsy: (-19 minus -2.5) -16.5.
4. Hooters: (-21 minus -20) -1.
3. Dux: (-3 minus -5) +2.
2. Pup: (+5 minus -5) +10.
1. Scotty: (+5 minus -10) +15.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
6. Millsy: (9/11) 45.00%.
5. Dux: (10/10) 50.00%.
4. Hooters: (11/9) 55.00%.
3. Scotty: (3/2) 60.00%
2. Diddy: (9/6) 60.00%.
1. Pup: (14/6) 70.00%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 4 - Tuesday, 03/08/10.

This week we were back at our new home, the Clock, to front the Jamison Hotel and after slaying the Hustlers, I was after more blood. I told Pup I wanted max points against these guys as well and the boys were again revved up before the start of the game.

The Jamison Hotel had a 22.5 - a good player - on their roster, and as a result they gave us 7.5 at the top and another 7.5 for Hooters at the bottom.

In the first round Hooters, Millsy and Diddy all picked up wins, but Dux and Pup got done and we ended only 6 in front.

In the 2nd Hooters and Pup won, but Diddy went in off on the black which was a 10 point turaround and we carried a 2 point deficit into the 3rd. At this point the mission officially changed to "win" before we worried ourselves about max points!

Rachel lost 10-0 without getting a shot, but apart from that the 3rd was our best round with everyone else registering wins, Pup and Dux both registering 10-3 smackings to put us 9 points clear with some momentum going into the 4th.

Diddy's black ball loss to the other team's No.1 was almost like a win and Millsy, Pup and Dux tipped us into the final round with a modest 11 point margin and only a remote chance of garnering any extra points. At this point the goal of max points was out the window.

Hooters, Millsy, Dux and Diddy all won in the final round, with Dux's 10-1 demolition of the other team's top player, the highlight of the game!

The last round surge left us 36 points in front, so we got a bonus point on top of our win and are still remarkably placed in 2nd spot in our zone early on, a tribute to a team of players who are continuing to improve and are enjoying their game while they do so.

Bidwell Bombers 218 - Jamison Hotel 182.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Dux with +10.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +12.5.
- Best win/loss% was Millsy with 4/5 (80%).
- Every player bar Hooters was positive for & against on the night.












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
5. Millsy: (+6) +5.
4. Diddy: (+3) +9.
3. Dux (+25) +16.
2. Hooters: (-3) +21.
1. Pup: (+4) +32.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 0.
4. Diddy: (+10 minus +8.5) +1.5
4. Millsy: (+10 minus +8.5) +1.5
2. Dux: (+7.5 minus +8.5) -1
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus +8.5) -1
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +8.5) -15.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Diddy: (+3 minus +1.5) +1.5.
4. Millsy: (+6 minus +1.5) +4.5.
3. Pup: (+4 minus -1) +5.
2. Dux: (+10 minus -1) +11.
1. Hooters: (-3 minus -15.5) +12.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
4. Millsy: (8/7) 53.33%.
4. Dux: (8/7) 53.33%.
2. Diddy: (9/6) 60%.
3. Hooters: (10/5) 66.67%.
1. Pup: (11/4) 73.33%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 3 - Tuesday, 27/07/10.

This week we returned to our old home, the Eastern Creek Tavern, to front the Hustlers and I was after blood. I told Pup I wanted max points against them and Pup got the boys revved up before the start of the game.

Hooters confirmed that she would be leaving in approximately 10 weeks, so we were hoping she would play all of those games, thus qualifying for any finals and might be able to pop back for them if all went well!

The Hustlers had absolutely no points - none at all - so we gave them 35 at the top and we had 7.5 down the bottom.

In the first round we started off on fire and were undefeated with Dux's 10-2 demolition of Ozzie the highlight and we had reduced the margin to 9.

In the 2nd Diddy and Millsy lost narrowly (6 and 7), but Pup, Hooters and Dux all won handsomely and we took a 6 point lead into the 3rd.

The 3rd was like a replay of the 1st with us all winning our games, Dux's 10-1 effort the pick of the round and we were 34 points ahead going into the 4th.

Diddy failed to sink a ball off the break, then had to watch while a guy off zip potted out without missing a shot. Luckily a narrow loss to Dux and wins by Pup, Hooters (both 10-4s) and Millsy kept us in the hunt and 36 points clear going into the 5th and final round.

Millsy and Pup both lost on the black, and once Hooters and Dux won their games it was a 47.5 point margin. Max points beckoned, but Diddy needed to win. Diddy ran out on Frank 10-3 to record the best result for the 5th and max points were ours!

Eastern Creek Hustlers 176 - Bidwell Bombers 230.5.

So in summary on the night:
- Best outright f&a was Hooters with +27.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +19.5.
- Best win/loss% was Hooters with 5/5 (100%).
- Dux had a magnificent return to form with 4 dominant wins.
- Pup also won 4 to continue his excellent start to the season.
- Diddy again struggled to find early form & had a run out against him, but still ended up with 3 wins and a positive for & against.
- Millsy settled in his 2nd week, winning 3 and looking capable of going on with it.












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
5. Millsy: (+8) -1.
4. Diddy: (+3) +6.
3. Dux (+25) +16.
2. Hooters: (+27) +24.
1. Pup: (+19) +28.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 0.
4. Diddy: (+10 minus 0) +10
4. Millsy: (+10 minus 0) +10
2. Dux: (+7.5 minus 0) +7.5
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus 0) +7.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus 0) -7.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Diddy: (+3 minus +10) -7.
4. Millsy: (+8 minus +10) -2.
3. Pup: (+19 minus +7.5) +11.5.
2. Dux: (+25 minus +7.5) +17.5.
1. Hooters: (+27 minus -7.5) +19.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
5. Millsy: (4/6) 40%.
5. Dux: (5/5) 50%.
3. Hooters: (7/3) 70%.
2. Diddy: (6/4) 60%.
1. Pup: (8/2) 80%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 2 - Tuesday, 20/07/10

We were rostered home again against the Grey Gums Chargers and Dux was bringing Millsy who was the newest recruit to join our team. Hooters was still prepared to play for the short term, so together with Pup and I, we had a team.

We gave the Chargers 20 start courtesy of some strange handicapping, but in any case there it was.

In the first Millsy and Dux lost on the black and Pup picked up the only win for the round, meaning we trailed by 32 going into the 2nd.

The night got even worse, with Millsy and Diddy picking up wins and Hooters and Dux black ball losses to leave us 35 adrift entering the 3rd.

Black ball losses to Millsy and Diddy and wins to Pup, Hooters and Dux made the 3rd a better round, but we were still 27 behind going into the 4th.

Millsy and Dux lost on the black again and Diddy and Pup picked up the only wins in the 4th meaning that we were chasing a challenging 30 points from the final 5 games.

Pup Hooters and Diddy all picked up wins, but alas it was not enough and we were 1 win (by forfeit) and 1 loss (by 28 points).

Grey Gums Chargers 234.5 - Bidwell Bombers 206.5.

So in summary:
- Best outright f&a was Pup with +9.
- Best handicap adjusted f&a was Hooters with +7.5.
- Best win/loss% was Pup with 80%.
- Pup led the way in Week 1 with 4 wins (nice job Pup)!
- Hooters (courtesy of her handicap) provided the best overall value for the team.
- Diddy struggled at the start, but still ended up with 3 wins and a positive for & against.
- Dux had some bad luck and with a bit of practice (and perhaps some work on backspin, haha) will return to his usual winning ways.
- Millsy showed great promise for his first run, potting well and being very competitive, which bodes well for the season. He matched Dux and I'm confident will keep us all on our toes as the season progresses.

The 4 guys have locked in for the season and I think Hooters will play until she moves if we twist her arm and we still have Louise and the Reapers spare player prepared to sub in if needed, so while we'd like to pick up a spare, we're set for now.












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
4. Millsy: (-9) -9.
4. Dux (-9) -9.
3. Hooters: (-3) -3.
2. Diddy: (+3) +3.
1. Pup: (+9) +9.

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
Opp Av = 3.
4. Diddy: (+10 minus +3) +7
4. Millsy: (+10 minus +3) +7
2. Dux: (+7.5 minus +3) +4.5
2. Pup: (+7.5 minus +3) +4.5
1. Hooters: (-7.5 minus +3) -10.5

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
5. Millsy: (-9 minus +7) -16.
4. Dux: (-9 minus +4.5) -13.5.
3. Diddy: (+3 minus +7) -4.
2. Pup: (+9 minus +4.5) +4.5.
1. Hooters: (-3 minus -10.5) +7.5.

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
4. Dux: (1/4) 20%.
4. Millsy: (1/4) 20%.
3. Hooters: (2/3) 40%.
2. Diddy: (3/2) 60%.
1. Pup: (4/1) 80%.

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

WEEK 1 - Tuesday, 13/07/10.

Jase kindly gave us the bye for the 1st round so that we had a bit more time to organise a team.

Or at least that's the way it was meant to go, until Jase called on Tuesday afternoon to advise that Adam had put another team into the Colyton Hotel and we were playing them at the Clock that night.

After a mad scramble we confirmed Diddy, Pup and Dux were in, Hooters not only agreed to come, she brought Louise with her and we had a team.

Unfortunately the Colyton pulled out just prior to game time.

Bidwell Bombers +15 (max points) - Colyton Hotel 0 (forfeit).

And so the Bombers began with the equal best performance of the round.












BOMBER SCORECARD

FOR & AGAINST
(This Wk) Cumulative
N/A

Opposition Adjusted Handicaps
[Hcp minus Opp Av]
N/A

FOR & AGAINST (Opposition/Handicap Adjusted)
[F&A minus net OAH] This Week Only
N/A

WIN/LOSS%
[Player Name: (W/L) W/L%]
N/A

Bombers Draw – Las Vegas 2
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/las-vegas-2-draw.html

Bomber Stats Explained
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-stats.html

Bomber House Rules
http://bidwellbombers.blogspot.com/2010/07/bomber-house-rules.html

BOMBER STATS

BOMBER SCORECARD EXPLAINED

Where to begin?

Handicaps.

Every player playing in the 8ball league is assigned a handicap. Handicaps are designed to create an even playing field. In theory if people are handicapped correctly and they play to their handicaps, results would be very equal in any encounter.

To explain For & Against etc. let's start with a simple example.

Example.
- Dux’s handicap is 7.5.
- Dux wins his first game 10-5.
- Dux loses his 2nd game 7-10.
- Dux loses his 3rd game 4-10.
- Dux wins his 4th game 10-2.
- Dux wins his final game 10-7.

For & Against.

For & Against tells each player how they went on the night (or over the course of the competition).

To get Dux’s “for” you add up the points Dux scored. In this example Dux scored 10, 7, 4, 10, 10. So Dux’s “for” is 41.

Similar to get Dux’s “against” you add up the points scored against Dux. Dux had 5, 10, 10, 2 and 7 scored against him, so Dux’s “against” is 34.

Dux’s for & against subtracts the amount scored against him (34) from the amound Dux scored (41), so in this example, Dux’s for & against is +7.

Handicap-Adjusted For & Against.

For & against tells each player how they did on the night, but does not provide feedback on how they are playing compared to their handicaps and therefore how valuable the player's performance is to the team. The only real way to compare the performance of players on different handicaps is to take their for & against and subtract their handicap from it.

In this example Dux’s handicap is 7.5. A handicap is a representation of skill level (out of 30), but more importantly, it is the free points given to the opposition for that player. Ideally each player will aim to get these free points back through the games they win and their for & against.

So in this example, we’ve already established that the for & against is +7. As Dux’s handicap is 7.5 (points given to the opposition), his adjusted for & against is -0.5 on the night in question.

Dux's performance can now be compared to that of his team mates, when their For & Against and handicaps are evaluated, using this method.

Opposition/Handicap-Adjusted For & Against

The one thing that Handicap-Adjusted For & Against doesn't do, is tell us how we should have gone against our opposition, assuming the handicaps are representative of skill level.

In order for us to more closely match the way that the wizard views individual performance, we need to factor in the quality of the opposition.

To do this, instead of directly subtracting each person's handicap from their for & against on game night, we adjust each person's handicap against the average handicap of the opposition, and then adjust the net figure that results against the for & against on the night, to provide an adjusted for & against.

It's probably easiest to provide an example.

Let's say we're playing a team with the following handicaps: 5, 15, 20, 10, 10.

The opposition team's total handicap is 60.

Their average handicap (60/5) per player is 12.

The average handicap of the opposition is subtracted from our player's handicaps and then compared to their for & against for the night.

Here is how it would look for the Bombers players:

Diddy and Millsy are handicapped as 10. In this example, the opposition is 12, so Diddy and Millsy are expected to score -2 against this opposition. Accordingly 2 will be added to his total for & against for the night.

Dux & Pup are handicapped as 7.5. In this example, the opposition is 12, so Dux & Pup on their handicaps are expected to score -4.5 against this opposition. Accordingly 4.5 will be added to their total for & against for the night.

Hooters is handicapped as -7.5. In this example, the opposition is 12, so Hooters on her handicap is expected to score -19.5 against this opposition. Accordingly 19.5 will be added to her total for & against for the night.

If we return to our original example and add this information in it goes like this;
- Dux’s handicap is 7.5.
- Average opposition handicap is 12.
- Dux gets to subtract 4.5 from his F&A.

- Dux wins his first game 10-5.
- Dux loses his 2nd game 7-10.
- Dux loses his 3rd game 4-10.
- Dux wins his 4th game 10-2.
- Dux wins his final game 10-7.

- Dux's F&A is 41-34 or +7.

- Dux's opposition/handicap-adjusted F&A is +3.5.

Win/Loss%

Win/Loss% is simply a review of the games won versus the games played to give a % of games won. This provides additional information information about how each player is performing.

In this example Dux played 5 games and won 3 of them. This is a win/loss% of 60.

How to deal with a negative handicap (statistically speaking).

Females are provided with an incentive in the league and can be graded with negative handicaps ranging up to -10.

If you subtract a minus, you are actually adding this figure on. In the example of Hooters, if she has a F&A for the night of +7 and her handicap is -7.5, her real contribution to the team on the night is:

+7 minus -7.5 = 14.5.

This accurately reflects the additional value that Hooters handicap provides to her team on the night.

LAS VEGAS 2 - DRAW

A couple of things about team rotation when and if we are running with more than 5 players.

Please note that if you are unable to play at short notice we'll understand, but the draw will not be re-written, you'll simply play one less game than you were rostered to play.

If you're rostered off and don't have other plans, come along and support the team!

Our team roster for this season is Diddy, Dux, Pup, Hooters (1st half), KE (2nd half), Millsy & Scotty.

Here's our draw & roster:
WK DATE VS (Sub)
01 13/07/10 Colyton Hotel
02 20/07/10 Grey Gum Chargers
03 27/07/10 Eastern Creek Hustlers
04 03/08/10 Jamison Hotel
Scotty joins the team after relocating from the Ryde/Parramatta zone.
05 10/08/10 LA Shooters (Diddy out)
06 17/08/10 Embassy Hotel (Diddy out, injured)
07 24/08/10 Unfinished Biz (Diddy out, injured)
08 31/08/10 Vineyard Vultures (Dux out)
09 07/09/10 Grey Gun's (Millsy out)
10 14/09/10 Eastern Creek Rat Pack (Hooters out)
11 21/09/10 Jack Daniels (Hooters out)
12 28/09/10 Reapers (Scotty out)
Hooters goes to QLD, KE officially becomes the 6th member of the Bidwell Bombers.
13 05/10/10 St Mary's Brewhouse (Pup out).
14 12/10/10 Lucky Breaks (Millsy out).
15 19/10/10 Bidwell Boy's (Dux out).
16 26/10/10 Jack Daniels (Diddy out).
17 09/11/10 Eastern Creek Rat Pack (Scotty out).
18 16/11/10 Reapers (Pup out).
19 23/11/10 Grey Gun's (Millsy out).
20 30/11/10 Lucky Breaks (Dux out).

Remember in the absence of an agreed alternative, the 5 with the best handicap adjusted for & against will go into any shootout. Weekly updates on this will be here on the blog.

BOMBER HOUSE RULES

It's important to have some rules around how the team works.

BE COMPETITIVE. Remember we want to win games, so do your best. If all players are available, the top 5 players based on handicap-adjusted for and against will go through to any shootout.

BE SHARING. Any prizes etc. won at any shootout or team event will be split between all regular team members.

BE ORGANISED. Give your team mates as much warning as you can if you can't play and remember that the draw will not be re-written.

BE SUPPORTIVE. Even if you are not playing, you should support the team if you don't have other commitments. This applies to regular games but especially to shootouts.

BE POLITE. We can be competitive and still show good sportsmanship, so take pride in behaving politely to others and to each other.

BE PROUD. You're a Bomber! Wear your Bomber shirt on game day!

BE HAPPY. We do this for fun, so have fun!!

BOMBER BEGINNINGS

It all began when I got a call (I couldn't answer) and then a text message on holiday in Fiji from Pick, advising he and CB had decided to play with a different team next season.

This was a bit of a surprise, coming on the back of a season in which the team seemed to enjoy playing together, ran 2nd in the zone and were still in contention in the Las Vegas Shootout (for more on the Cobras season, refer http://cobras8ball.blogspot.com/).

It was also extremely short notice, as the message came on the Thursday prior to the new comp starting on a Tuesday.

Subsequent information confirmed that the 1st and 2nd teams in the zone had been cannibalised to form this new team. It appeared that this had been worked out in Vegas. All the players involved were there. Our king Cobra had snaked us good and proper!

This left some of the Lucky Breaks team scrambling for players. When Hooters confirmed she was planning to sit out the season, it left Pup, Dux and I scrambling for players.

There was a possibility we could pick up players if we moved to the Clock in Bidwell, so now we were being forcibly relocated as well, given Pick and his Rats were playing out of the Eastern Creek Tavern and given the league wanted to put the Hustlers into the Tavern as their 2nd team.

We were still in the run for the playoff, so on the Saturday we spoke briefly about it, but tried to put it behind us and focus on winning games. We won the 1st, but lost the 2nd and the Cobras were ended.

Luckily Moose and the Reapers offered to supply us with their 6th man if we needed it, Hooters agreed to fill back in to assist us while we found people and Dux had a mate who could play from the 2nd week, so we were hanging in there - just - as we morphed from the Eastern Creek Cobras into the Bidwell Bombers.

Millsy was the mate (also a mate of Pup's and Diddy's missus) and we subsequently picked up Scotty which was a very lucky find (to pick up a player of her calibre during a season).