So, that was the B+H Cup that was? The Cup has come under a lot of criticism recently because of it's format. Kurt Kleinendorst, coach of the Manchester Storm, claimed that even Tinky Winky could have produced a better system, after his side were paired with their group's runners up, Sheffield. General scorn was poured upon the fact that ISL teams would meet BNL teams in a challenge round, and it was no surprise when almost every match resulted in heavy losses for the BNL sides. However, one wonders what more could have been arranged? This season's format far exceeds that of last year, where BNL teams were thrown in to the same groups as their ISL counterparts, virtually ensuring that no BNL side would reach the next round. This year, BNL teams were ensured six competitive and exciting matches, and a better chance against Superleague by meeting them in a knock-out round. Still, there are complaints, mainly from the ISL fans and coaches. One asks what more could be done? Had the ISL teams not met the BNL teams at all, the Cup would cease to be a meaningful competition. Yet, it's clear that the teams can't meet in any competitive sense, so what should be done?
I'm becoming converted to the ideas of Vic Batchelder and others that maybe the B+H Cup should be switched to a knock-out format, along the same lines as football's FA Cup. If ISL teams were given a bye until well into the competition (at least 2 or 3 after the BNL enter the cup) it would allow only the best teams to meet. If the senior teams from the English and Scottish Leagues played first, and qualified to meet the BNL teams, who then went through to meet the ISL teams, it might add excitment and reintroduce at least some competition. OK, so an ISL team would still almost certainly win, but then, how often do teams from outside the Premiership win the FA Cup? At least with only the best teams meeting each other, and so long as these games were one-offs, who knows, you might find some upsets occur. Whatever happens, games between the ISL and BNL should continue, for surely that's the only way for the BNL teams to improve.