LEAGUE CUP REGULATIONS...

Issue 16 - 16th February 2012

Entry into the League Cup Competitions is automatic for Colts League Member Teams at no additional cost.

(1). The Colts League Cup Competition(s) will be known collectively as the ”RAGING BULL Colts League Cup” and will consist of up to five competitions at both Senior and Junior Colts namely; Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, and Vase.

(2). The objective of the League Cup will be to provide a “Cross-League” competition to give Colts Teams the opportunity to play more Colts Rugby against Teams from the other Leagues.

(3). Where numbers permit each Team should have at least two more Colts Fixtures from these competitions – Cup then Bowl, or Plate then Shield, with a Vase when there is an excess of Teams.

(4). Entry into the League Cup is automatic for Colts League Member Teams on completion of the League Season. There is no additional entry fee.

(5). The League Cup draw will be undertaken by the Committee soon after the final League weekend and the draw will be published as soon as practical thereafter on the Colts League WebSite.

(6). Games must be played on or before the appointed date on the ground of the Club first drawn.

(7). Fixtures must be confirmed in advance between Managers. Senior Colts games will Kick-Off at 2.00pm and Junior Colts at 12.30pm unless mutually agreed otherwise.

(8). All games must be refereed by a Society Referee and this must be an official appointment. Applications for Referees are the responsibility of the Home Team.

(9). If the away Team arrives later than one hour after the appointed or agreed time (unless they have been unavoidably delayed and have communicated the same) they shall forfeit the game.

(10). If a Home Team’s pitches are unavailable or unfit Managers must make their best efforts to find another local pitch. This failing the Home Team MUST forgo their home advantage, the fixture must be reversed, and your League Secretary and Referee must be informed immediately.

(11). Team Managers who's pitches have known problems must make themselves aware of the state of their pitches in advance and must be prepared to make arrangements as per the above Regulation (10).

(12). Adverse Weather Conditions are the only acceptable reason to postpone. Managers must inform their Referee immediately, by phone, when any such decision is made.

(13). Failure by the Home Team to immediately inform their appointed Referee of a postponement or switch of venue will result the game being forfeit, in addition to any financial penalty the Referee Society may impose. 

(14). Team Managers and Coaches unable to agree on the suitability of a pitch should seek assistance from the Referee as to whether a match may start or continue.

(15). Should a Cup Match be abandoned due to inclement weather conditions the score at the time shall stand provided at least 50 minutes have been played, otherwise the game shall be replayed.

(16) Should a Cup Match be abandoned for any other reason the Committee may determine the result or award the game.

(17). When a fixture is postponed or abandoned needing re-scheduling BOTH Team Managers must advise their League Secretary immediately by TEXT.

(18). The League Cup Finals will be played at a suitable venue to be appointed by the League Committee.

(19). Clubs are invited to express their interest in hosting the League Cup Finals to the HonSec with bids to be received by the 1st Saturday in September.

(20). For the benefit of the Referee shirts must be numbered with distinctive 'large sized numbers' on the back. Letters or other markings are not permitted.

(21). It is the Home Team’s responsibility to change kit in the event of a colour clash.

(22). In the Cup Finals a colour change will be decided on the toss of a coin before the game.
         Both Teams must arrive prepared to change.

(23). Changes from your Club's normal kit colours MUST be advised to the HonSec so your Club Page on the Website can be updated. Managers should also notify their Opponents and the Referee.

(24). Postponements due to inclement weather will be re-arranged by the Hon' Fixtures Secretary normally for the next weekend.

(25). Players must be under the respective age on the 1st September of the relevant year.

(26). Players must have been registered with the RFU and the Colts League as members of their Club by the final weekend of the Colts League Season, normally the last weekend in February.

(27). Players may only play for one Club in the League Cup Competition and are Cup Tied to that Club.

(28). Players may only play for one of their Club's Colts Teams per weekend.

(29). RFU Young Player Registration Cards must be made available on request to opposition Managers / Coaches and must be checked in line with RFU guidelines at least 30 minutes before kick-off.

(30). Up to 22 players may be nominated (15, plus 7 replacements) and may all be used.

(31). Teams nominating 22 players must have at least six players in their Matchday Squad who can play in the front row in order there is replacement cover for the loose head prop hooker and tight head prop.

    (31a) All Front Row Players must be clearly identified FR on the Match Card which must be handed to the Referee before the game.

    (31b). Managers & Coaches have a duty of care and must not allow or encourage players to play in a front row position if they do not have suitable training and experience.

    (31c). Should the minimum number of Six trained front row players not be available a match can proceed but with a reduced number of replacements on the bench, as follows:~
        6 Front Row = 7 Replacements, 5 FR = 6 Rep's, 4 FR = 5 Rep's, 3 FR = 4 Rep's.
         Less than 3 Front Row (ie starting with uncontested scrums) = 0 Replacements.

(32). All Colts League Cup, Bowl, or Vase matches must start with a recognised front row, otherwise the Offending Team will forfeit the game. If due to none availability of suitably trained replacement players the Referee has to order uncontested scrummages during the match it will continue as a competitive match save for the scrummages which when uncontested will simply be a method of restarting the game.

(33). If due to none availability of suitably trained players at the start of or during a Colts League Plate or Shield match the Referee has to order uncontested scrummages the match will start or continue as a competitive match save for the scrummages which when uncontested will simply be a method of restarting the game.

(34). Rolling Substitutions are permitted in all Colts League games, as per RFU Youth guidelines - Substitutions must be made through the Referee. Players who have been substituted may replace an injured player. The maximum number of changes is limited to twelve {12}.

(35). All games are played under the IRB 'Laws of The Game' plus the Colts League U19 Variations.

(36). As Senior Colts matches may involve Under 18 or Under 17 players "squeeze ball" is not permitted.

(37). In the event of a draw after the 70 minutes maximum playing time there is no extra time. The result will be decided on; number of tries, then number of conversions from tries. If still equal the away side goes through.

(38). If the Venue has been switched in order to ensure the Tie is played then the away side is the one which travelled.

(39). If a Neutral Venue has been arranged in order to ensure the Tie is played then the away side is the one was originally drawn as the away side.

(40). In the Final a drawn game will be decided on countback as above. If still equal, 5 penalty kicks at goal will be taken alternately, each by a different player, from the 22 metre line in front of the goal posts. Kickers will be selected only from those on the pitch at "no side’’. The Team with the most successful number of kicks wins. If still even, further kicks are to be taken by different players, still selected form those on the pitch at ‘No Side’, on a "sudden death" basis until a result is obtained.

(41). A player who is suspended by the County Disciplinary Committee is not permitted to play in the League Cup Competition.

(42). Both Team Managers must report the Result by TEXT per the Post Match Regulations by 6pm Sunday.
         ...See this Example Text...

(43). Remember - Postponed Games must also be reported by TEXT - by 6pm Sunday.

(44). Match Cards must be completed and sent in per the Post Match Regulations by 6pm Monday. 

(45). Failure to observe the Results Reporting Protocol detailed in the Post Match Regulations may result in a Team's exclusion from the Competition.

(46). In exceptional circumstances, where a Manager is obstructive or non co-operative regarding the playing of a fixture by a given date, the Committee may determine the result of or award any such game.

(47). Any Team conceding a Walkover in any Cup Competition will not proceed to a lower level Cup Competition.

(48). Disputes or complaints should be notified to the Hon Secretary by eMail within 24 hours of the relevant game or situation.

(49). The Committee shall be the arbiter in all cases involving disputes or complaints and shall have the authority to make decisions at any time on matters which are not covered by either the Competition Regulations, the League Cup Regulations, or the Constitution of the North West Colts League.

(50). A Club shall have the right of Appeal against any such decision made by the Colts League Committee. The appeal procedure is detailed in the Constitution.

Share This