The Victor Sports Inter County Championships (ICC) is the premier senior county badminton competition, run by BADMINTON England at various locations nationwide throughout the badminton season. It currently comprises of 121 teams, spread over seven divisions. The top two divisions are Premier A and B.

Following the final Victor Sports ICC Premier B weekend on the 28th and 29th March 2009, an appeal was submitted by Cheshire against the final standings. The weekend concluded with Middlesex 1 first on 58 points, Yorkshire 2 second on 57 points, and Cheshire 1 third also on 57 points.

In accordance with Regulation 24(f), second place was awarded to Yorkshire 2 based on the total number of ties won. After three rounds, Yorkshire 2 had won five ties, with Cheshire 1 winning just four. On further consultation at the event, this was agreed as the final outcome. The impact of this meant that Hampshire 1 were not relegated from Premier A, as the Regulations prevent Yorkshire 2 from being promoted to Premier A.

The appeal from Cheshire was discussed at length by the Inter County Championships Policy Group, a group consisting of both volunteers and professional staff, who exist in an advisory capacity to the BADMINTON England Competitions and Events Team.

Although the group agreed that appropriate measures had been taken during the final weekend to achieve the correct result, Regulation 24(a) does permit each county in a draw situation to be awarded half a win. When read in conjunction with Regulation 24(f), it was the combination of these half wins and outright wins which gave both Yorkshire 2 and Cheshire 1 six ties for at the end of the season. As the section points and ties for were the same, the greatest difference between games won and games lost should be applied to decide the county in second place.

On count back, Cheshire 1 had won 130 games, and lost 78, giving a difference of 52. Yorkshire 2 had won 127 games, and lost 81, giving a difference of 46. Therefore the greatest difference between games won and games lost was achieved by Cheshire 1.

As a result of these calculations and discussion, it was unanimously agreed by the ICC Policy Group that second place in Premier B should be awarded to Cheshire 1, not Yorkshire 2.

This will result in the following being actioned:

1. Hampshire 1 and Leicestershire 1 will be relegated from Premier A to Premier B;
2. Middlesex 1 and Cheshire 1 will be promoted from Premier B to Premier A;
3. Hampshire 2, having won Division 1D, are not eligible to compete in the Division One Playoffs, in accordance with Regulation 9(a).
4. Dorset 1, having finished ninth in Premier B, will be included in the Division One Playoffs, in accordance with Regulation 9(c)(ii).

The final standings for the Victor Sports ICC Premier B 2008/9 are:

1. Middlesex 1 - 58 points
2. Cheshire 1 - 57 points
3. Yorkshire 2 - 57 points
4. Lanarkshire 1 - 51 points
5. Worcestershire 1 - 49 points
6. Buckinghamshire 1 - 43 points
7. Avon 1 - 41 points
8. Hertfordshire 2 - 38 points
9. Dorset 1 - 35 points
10. Warwickshire 2 - 21 points

The Victor Sports ICC Division One Playoffs are being held at the National Badminton Centre, Milton Keynes on the 25th and 26th April 2009 from 11.00 am Saturday, and 10.00 Sunday. They will be played using the Premier Championships format and Regulations. The following teams will be competing:

1. Northumberland 1 (Division 1A Winner)
2. Gloucestershire 1 (Division 1B Winner)
3. Surrey 2 (Division 1C Winner)
4. Dorset 1 (Ninth Team in Premier B)

For further details, please contact Chris Miller on 01908 268400 or chrismiller@badmintonengland.co.uk.