CANDY League Rules 2021-2022
- All games shall be played in accordance with the “Laws of the Game of Rugby Football” and the rules and regulations of the Rugby Football Union.
- Clubs participating must pay a £30 bond to the league.
- There will be four leagues. Division One will have 7 teams, Division Two North with 9 teams, Division Two South with 8 teams and Division Three South 7 team.
- The position of a Club in a league shall be established by awarding four League points for a win, two points for a draw. In addition bonus points will be awarded to teams on the following basis:
- This season teams will receive 1 bonus point for every try scored – up to a maximum of 5
- Teams will receive a Losing bonus point for being within 10 points of the winning team
- Losing teams will receive 1 point for playing the match
- If a team cries off the game before Friday they will lose 1 point. If a team cries off on Friday or Saturday then they will lose 3 points.
- Try bonus points will only be awarded within 1 week of the match being played. If a team fails to provide the number by the following weekend then NO try bonus points will be awarded for the game. It is the responsibility of every team to send in their number of tries scored.
- If a game is called off for weather, it shall be deemed a draw and the teams awarded 2 points each. If the ‘away’ team have a pitch suitable for play then try and get the game switched. Please try to replay games if a free date is available.
- If, at the end of the season any Clubs have the same number of League points, the league positions shall be determined firstly the higher number of wins. If the teams have the same number of wins then the league position will be decided by the difference between match points ‘for’ and ‘against’. Should two Clubs have the same number of League points and an equal number of wins and the same match points difference, the Club having scored more match points ‘for’ shall be placed higher in the League than a Club having the lesser number of match points ‘for’. If this still does not establish the positions then the Clubs involved shall be ranked according to the number of matches won, excluding the first League match of the season. If necessary this process shall be extended to exclude the second match, third match and so on until the final positions are established.
- Kick off times to be arranged by participating clubs.
- Any bona fide member of a club shall be eligible to play in league matches. A player who has played for the 1st XV is eligible to play for the 2nd XV the following week and thereafter, providing that his 1st XV have a game on that same weekend. No club shall be allowed to play any member or members of another club in order to strengthen their own team for league matches. The exception to this rule may apply to front row players only, who with the permission of the opposition club, may be brought in when that club has insufficient such players, to allow a game to go ahead. In the case of any particular hardship arising from this Rule, application may be made to the League Secretary.
- Up to six replacements are allowed in any game, one (preferably two) of those replacements must be capable of playing in the front row. Rolling substitutions are allowed in all games. If you have more than 6 subs please confirm with opposition.
- Before a game commences if there is a shortage of front row players, the game starts with uncontested scrums (and uncontested lineouts if necessary.) Normal rules will apply. If any team is seen to be exploiting this rule action can be taken to deduct points.
- The appointment of the referees will be made by the home club through their local Referees Society.
- Any side unable to fulfil a fixture for any reason other than the weather forfeits the game, except under exceptional circumstances and agreed by the committee. Exceptional requests must be submitted to the Leagues Secretary at least 30 days in advance.
- If you have at least 10 players you must travel and the game will be play with equal numbers. ie, 12 v 12, 13 v 13 or 14 v 14. These smaller sided games will be played as normal competitive games and can be shortened in length.
- If both teams agree players can be given to the opposition to make it back up to 15 v 15 or the rest of the players will be rolling subs.
- Both sides will be responsible for reporting the results, including number of tries scored, to the League Secretary and must be received by Monday morning. It can be done by text, telephone, twitter or e-mail.
- In the event that the Committee become aware that a member club has materially misled or deceived them to gain an advantage the Committee reserves the right to impose such disciplinary action as they deem fit including expulsion from the league. All complaints received by the Leagues Secretary re conduct of other teams/clubs must be in writing and received within 10 days of the incident/s occurring. Such complaints must be accompanied by documentary evidence including any referee’s report and written statements from officers of the complainant club. On receipt of the complaint the Secretary shall forward details of the complaint to the club the subject of the complaint, who shall respond within seven days. The Committee shall then issue their findings within 10 days. If the club is dissatisfied with the decision of the Committee they may then appeal against such decision.
- Should a team wish to appeal against a decision of the Committee notice of the appeal must be forwarded to the League Secretary within 7 days of the Committee decision. The matter will then be considered by a panel appointed by the Northumberland Competitions Committee.
Note 1. All results and tables will be posted on the league website. Results will also be posted on twitter when received, @CandyLeague.
Clubs must take their own copy for publication on notice boards from the website. (“http://www.candyleague.co.uk/”).
Note 2. The contact details for the League Secretary are Craig Johnston (07525 614337, 01434 607696) or jcraigj@sky.com or @CandyLeague