Issue 10 - 25th June 2010
(1). The Colts League Cup Competitions will be known collectively as the ”RAGING BULL Colts League Cup”, and will consist of five competitions at Senior Colts and five at Junior Colts, namely the League 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 who will have 'Home Team' status at all times.
(7). The League Cup Finals will be played at a suitable venue to be appointed by the Committee.
(8). Applications to host the League Cup Finals are always welcome - Clubs should contact the League Secretary to express their interest.
(9). 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.
(10). It is the Home Team’s responsibility to change kit in the event of a colour clash.
(11). In the Cup Finals a colour change will be decided on the toss of a coin before the game, however "Both Teams" must arrive prepared to change.
(12). Changes from your Club's normal kit colours should always be advised to the League Secretary, and particularly to your opposition and to the Referee.
(13). Postponements due to inclement weather will be re-arranged by the League Fixtures Secretary, normally for the next weekend.
(14). If Managers / Coaches cannot agree on the suitability of the pitch the Referee will make the final decision.
(15). Players must be under the respective age on the 1st September of the relevant year, and must have been registered with the RFU and the Colts League as members of their Team/Club by the final weekend of the Colts League Season in February.
(16). Players may only play for one Club during each period of the League Cup Competition(s) and are effectively "Cup Tied". Players may only play for one of their Club's Colts Teams per weekend.
(17). RFU Young Player Registration Cards must be made available on request to opposition Managers / Coaches, and must be checked in line with RFU guidelines.
(18). Up to 22 players may be nominated (15, plus 7 replacements) and may all be used.
(19). 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.
(19a) All Front Row Players must be clearly identified FR on the Match Result Card which must be handed to the Referee before the game.
(19b). 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.
(19c). 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.
(20). 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.
(21). 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.
(22). 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}.
(23). All games will be played in accordance with the IRB 'Laws of The Game', plus the Under 19 & Colts League U19 Variations.
(24). As Senior Colts matches may involve Under 18 or Under 17 players "squeeze ball" is not permitted.
(25). 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.
(26). 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.
(27). All games must be refereed by a member of one of the Local Referees' Societies or Associations, and this must be an official appointment. Applications for Referees are the responsibility of the Home Team.
(28). Fixtures must be confirmed by the Away Team, with the Home Team's Fixtures Secretary. Senior Colts games will Kick-Off. at 2.00pm, and Junior Colts at 12.30pm, unless mutually agreed otherwise. 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.
(29). If a Home Team’s pitches are unavailable or unfit Managers must make their best efforts to find another "local pitch" where a League Cup game can be played. This failing the Home Team must forgo their home advantage and the fixture must be reversed. The League Fixtures Secretary and the Referee must be informed immediately.
(30) 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 Regulation (29).
(31). Should a 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.
(32). A player who is suspended by the County Disciplinary Committee is not permitted to play in the League Cup Competition.
(33). Both Team Managers should report the result by TEXT to the League Fixtures Secretary on 07980-105655 (text only - no voice calls) by 18.00 Hours (6pm) on the Sunday of the game.
What is Needed :~
Comp' (Junior Cup / Senior Bowl, etc...)
HomeTeam / Score (? tries) vs AwayTeam / Score (? tries)
from - Your Name of YourTeam
Example Text Reads :~
Junior Shield / Nelson Jnrs 21(3) vs Pendle Jnrs 12(2) from: Joe Bloggs of NelsonJnrColts
(34). Remember - postponed games MUST BE REPORTED BACK by TEXT likewise, on the Sunday of the game.
(35). WINNING TEAM Manager should then FAX or SCAN & E-MAIL the completed Cup Results Form - See Instructions on the latest Match Card.
(36). Failure to observe the above results reporting procedure may result in a Team's exclusion from the Competition.
(37). 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.
(38). Any Team conceding a Walkover in any Cup Competition will not proceed to a lower level Cup Competition.
(39). Disputes or complaints should be notified to the League Secretary by e-mail within 36 hours of the relevant game or situation.
(40). 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.
(41). 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.