I can't see something like that developing.
Lets hope the County board fix both games for the same time. If that happens, all four teams will be giving it everything for the whole game, knowing that an extra point scored or conceded could well decide their campaign.
I remember commenting that all four teams in this group would feel like they had a chance of progressing when the groups were drawn. That they all still have a chance of doing so with one game remaining at least keeps the interest (stress!) levels high.
If the points difference thing stands, the permutations are considerable. I'll consider some here:
Clara Lose (by up to 3 points)
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Clara could lose by 3 points and still qualify. They could qualify (or at least make a play-off) if one of the following happens:
a) Ferbane beat Tubber
b) Ferbane and Tubber draw
c) Tubber beat Ferbane by one point, Rynaghs beat Clara by one point. Play-off time with Tubber.
Clara Lose (by 4 points or more)
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If Clara lose by 4 points or more, they will not qualify. The following could happen:
a) If Tubber beat Ferbane by more than 9 points, Clara finish third and Ferbane will be bottom of the group. Tubber and Rynaghs qualify (in that order).
b) If Tubber beat Ferbane by 9 points exactly and Clara have lost by 4 points, there will be a play-off between Clara and Ferbane for 3rd and 4th place. Tubber and Rynaghs qualify.
c) If Tubber beat Ferbane by less than 9 points, Clara will finish bottom of the group. If it's exactly 8 points and Ryanghs have won by exactly 4 points (stay with me), Ferbane and Rynaghs will play-off for second place in the group. Tubber would top the group.
d) If Ferbane beat or draw with Tubber, Tubber will be bottom of the group. Ferbane and Rynaghs qualify.
Clara Draw
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If Clara draw, they will qualify. The following could happen:
a) Ferbane and Tubber draw. St. Rynaghs go into the relegation play-offs. Ferbane top the group and Clara are second.
b) Ferbane beat Tubber. Tubber go into the relegation play-offs. Ferbane top the group and Clara are second.
c) Tubber beat Ferbane. They must win by 4 points or more to qualify. Otherwise Clara and Ferbane qualify in that order.
Clara Win
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Fingers crossed. If Clara win they will qualify, but again the margin will be important in determining who wins the group and potentially who heads for the relegation play-off. The following could happen:
a) If Ferbane beat Tubber, Clara must beat St. Rynaghs by a margin which is 6 points greater (than Ferbane's) or more. Rynaghs would head for the door, Clara top the group with Ferbane and Tubber next in that order.
b) If Ferbane beat Tubber and Clara beat Rynaghs by their margin plus 5 there will be a play-off to see who tops the group. Relegation is as you were.
c) If both Clara and Ferbane win and Clara fail to add 5 or more on top of Ferbane's margin, Ferbane top the group with Clara second. Rynaghs would be relying on a narrow defeat to Clara (lets say one point) and a fairly heavy defeat for Tubber (7 points) to survive. It's possible, based on scoring that either Tubber or Rynaghs could go or even have to play-off to see who heads for the door.
d) Ferbane and Tubber draw. Clara top the group with Ferbane second and Tubber third.
e) Tubber beat Ferbane. If they fail to beat Ferbane by 4 points or more, Ferbane will qualify at Tubbers expense. A four point or more victory for Tubber could see them top the group or secure second place. If it's 4 points or better, but still only 2 points greater than Clara's winning margin, there would be a play-off to see who tops the group. Yee can figure out the rest yourselves!
There could well be some mistakes in there - it was a quick draft. At least I've given our resident numbers man something to do for the afternoon
