Competition Rules for the Tees Valley Merit and Social Leagues

Season 2011-2012 Version 1.12 Amended May 2011

1. Points in the competition can be gained in the following ways; if the League organiser is informed of the result within 14 days of the match being played

a) Three points for a win

b) Two points for a draw

c) One point for a loss

d)  One point for any team whose opposition cries off in the week preceding the fixture.

e) Minus one point for any team crying off a fixture two or less days before a fixture i.e. Friday or Saturday

f) Abandoned games one point  (see rule 9)

g) Two points for any team whose opposition cries off on the day of the match

h) Teams involved in games that are called off will have the option to play the match at a later date with the normal points rules applied however the point previously awarded will be deducted.

2. The league position shall be determined by the number of league points gained, in the case of equality, positions will be determined on the basis of match points scored.

3. A Club with a larger difference between match points for and match points against shall be placed higher in the league than a club with a smaller difference between match points for and match points against.

Should two clubs have the same number of league points and the same match points difference then the club having scored the higher number of match points for will be placed higher than the club having scored less match points for.

4. Match Results and other relevant details must be sent to the competition organiser within 14 days to be accepted as valid for the competition.  If results are disputed by the opposition, mediation will take place.

5.   If a club is unable to field both teams for arranged fixtures in the Merit League and Social League on the same day then they should endeavour to play the Merit League fixture.

6. If a team is unable to provide a front row for a match then uncontested scrums will be allowed for Social league matches and Merit league matches.

7. Teams shall endeavour to play 2 fixtures (Home and Away) against each team in their league.

8. Clubs will endeavour to field players of the appropriate level for each team in the competition.

9. Teams involved in games that are called off because of bad weather or a County Cup tie,  or called off on the day because of bad weather or unplayable pitches will be awarded one point. However they will have the option to play the match at a later date with the normal points rules applied and both will retain the point previously awarded.

10. The maximum number of substitutions allowed per game will be 6 unless a higher figure is agreed by the Captains before the game.