The Handicap Cup (sponsored by Eddie White) involves all the teams in the League, regardless of Section. It kicks off 28 October 2024.
The draw for Round One has been made, which you can see below, along with an overview of the rules. You should note the handicap starting scores for the Gallon have been amended from last season – this is to give the lower section teams a greater chance of winning.
The Draw
| Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|
| Cricketers Crusaders | 7 – 8 | St Ives Warriors |
| Horns B | 9 – 3* | Dorset Soldier A |
| Red Lion | 7 – 8 | PT&L Club |
| Green Man C | 4 – 11 | Winton Liberal |
| Ferndown RBL | 14 – 1 | Shoulder of Mutton A |
| St Ives Happy Warriors | 2 – 8* | St Ives A |
| Wimborne RBL A | 8 – 7 | Witches |
| Cobham A | 6 – 9 | Cricketers Hyenas |
| Bearwood X | 11 – 4 | Wimborne RBL B |
| Green Man B | 3 – 12 | Horns C |
| Dorset Soldier B | 9 – 6 | Bearwood A |
The Rules
Who throws first? Before the match starts, toss a coin to determine who throws first in the first game. Then alternate throwing first in each game after that.
What’s the match format? Each match will consist of the following:
- 6 singles – best of three legs (names drawn randomly) – 1 point per win
- 3 pairs – best of three legs (names drawn randomly) – 2 points per win
- 1 team game (gallon) – 3 points for the win
How do we win the match? There are a total of of 15 points available in the match. The first team to reach eight points wins the match and progresses to the next round.
How does the handicap system work? In the singles and pairs, each team will start on different amounts, based on their Section, as follows:
- A Section – start on 501
- B Section – start on 451
- C Section – start on 401
- D Section – start on 351
For the gallon, the starting scores are:
- A Section – start on 1001
- B Section – start on 901
- C Section – start on 851
- D Section – start on 801