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So gentlemen, as the secretary of The 193's, let me tell you my version of events...
I was late in from work yesterday and telephoned Chris Wright to inform him of this fact, that I'd be late to the venue - I quoted a time of 8.30-8.45...
Whilst en-route I received a message from Graham to say he was the only one there, then a subsequent message from Paul DaSilveria saying he was also there.
I had arranged to collect Tony Jackson from Southbridge Road, with Tony in the car we received a message from Paul saying if we were not there in five minutes they were going to claim the game, I dropped Tony at the venue before the 8.45 deadline and then proceeded to park the car.
So Terry is correct that Tony was in the building before 8.45, however when the time was next checked
(I presume by one of The Wizards) it was 8.46/8.47.
The fact remains - Chris Wright knew that I was running late, and could have, if he so wished (not that he had to of course, but in the name of sport) called me back at anytime to see if I was in the vicinity.
Once I had parked and made it into the venue Chris said "You told me you'd be here for 8.30", yes whilst I mentioned 8.30 in my conversation with him, he obviously missed the 8.30-8.45 bit!
I was told that it was Martin that had instigated the 'claiming' of the match at 8.38...??
I find the whole episode highly unsportsmanlike, I've played in this league for nearly 35 years on and off and have never witnessed anything like it.
I will, for what it's worth be making my representations to the league...