General Rules

1) All divisions and cup/shield matches will consist of eight games, six singles followed by two doubles.

2)a) The playing day will be Wednesday/Sunday unless the fixture is rearranged by mutual consent, but must be played within two weeks of the original date for league games or before the next leg of the cup.

b) If your opponents do not agree to the rearrangement then you must concede the match and pay a fine.

c) A date for a rearranged match must be sent to the results secretary by the Saturday deadline or you will get Fined for not returning results sheets on time. Failure to play the rearranged match within the two weeks will result in the match being declared void and a fine imposed.

d) Once started a match must be finished within seven days, otherwise the match will be declared void

3)a) Fixtures should commence by 8.30pm Wednesdays 8.00pm Sundays.

b) The first game can be claimed after fifteen minutes,

c) Players to be written down one game at a time.

d) Further games can be claimed at five-minute intervals,

e) The finishing time of any match should be no later than the closing time of the venue, any games played after this time is at the discretion of the Licensee.

4) The HOME TEAM will pay for games.

5) The HOME TEAM will break, the AWAY TEAM will referee the first game, Breaks and referees will then alternate throughout the match

6)a) The captains will choose their teams from registered players only.

b) Players may be registered during the course of the season by filling in the form on the back of the results Sheets and getting the player’s signature Registrations are only accepted on this sheet.

c) Once the results secretary has received a signature the player may play in the next match.

d) During the first match of the season only. Players may register and play on the same night

7) Any team playing unregistered players will be dealt with by the committee and will forfeit any points gained from the match.

8) In the event of a venue having more than one table, The HOME captain will elect the table to be played on

9)a) Points awarded:- 3 points for winning a match 1 point for a draw. If an entire team fails to turn up or concedes a match then a 8-0 win will be awarded to the other team.

b) A play-off will decide the position of teams finishing level on points and games for and against.

10) Should a team withdraw from the league during the first half of the season then all points gained against them will be lost. After the halfway stage only points from the second half will be lost.

11)a) The HOME Captain is responsible for the handing in of the results sheets.

b) In order to place reports in the paper all results sheets both league and cup, must be returned by Saturday 1.00pm following the match.

c) All results sheets must be returned to the results secretary, c/o The news on the bay Marine Road Morecambe .If you pass the sheet to anyone else then please confirm the result by leaving a message On the league Phone on 07837361651 before Saturday. 2pm

12)a) All the players must sign the results sheet, no signature no points, it is up to the captain this happens.

b) Both captains must sign the bottom of the sheets. This indicates acceptance of the match result

c) If there is no signature for your player then you will not receive a win for that game, even if your opponents have no player.

13)a) A player is registered with the team he plays for first.

b) During the first half of the season it is possible to transfer a registered player to another team providing both captains agreed and the league is notified. Last date for transfers is 30th January 2005

14) During any doubles matches conferring will only be allowed between partners before a player takes control of the table, as detailed in the official rules. Any conferring while in control should in the first instance receive a warning from the referee, each subsequent instance will result in a foul.

15) If your team is unable to attend a match then notice should be given to the opposing team Capt. at least 24 hours before the start time of the match, it should be rearranged if possible or forfeit the match.

16) If notice is not given then the match can be claimed by returning a fully completed sheet no later than Saturday after the match. Any delay will result in the match being declared void.

17) Any team failing complete a fixture is liable to a fine.

18) A player must play at least 2 league games to compete in any singles or doubles competitions. Players are Not eligible to sign on to play in the cup/shield competitions after the first two rounds have been completed ,but players can still sign on to play in the league for the rest of the season

19) Players who could be refused entry to a pool match must seek permission of the licensee first. The league Will not interfere with the rights of the licensee who refuses a player/team entry. If several players are unable to enter a venue then matches should be played at a neutral venue

20) If a team has any players under the age of eighteen then it is the responsibility of the captain to seek permission of the licensee for under age players to play. At each venue that is played

21) All league players are expected to behave in a suitable manner at all fixtures and events. Any incidents Reported to the committee could result in either the players or teams being expelled from the league.

22)a) The league will not tolerate any player using threatening behaviour to other players.

b) If a player is proven to have used threatening behaviour then they will automatically be suspended for twelve months.

c) If a player is proven to have provoked another player then they will be suspended for twelve months

d) If a player is proven to have struck another player then they will be banned for life

23) The elected officers of the committee have full authorization to deal with any matters not covered by the Rules and have permission to deal with any problems that may arise during the season without having To call an emergency meeting.

FINES

The committee has agreed the following fines. All fines ultimately the responsibility of the captain

And vice-captain of each team as notified to the league, notify any changes on the results sheet.

Any fines Incurred will be reported to the next meeting and should be paid as soon as possible

to the league treasurer

All fines must be paid before a team/player will be able to rejoin the league for the following seasons

Fines as follows: -

1) results sheets returned after 1.00pm Saturday deadline 1 point

2) results sheets not returned by second Saturday 1 point

3) Failure to play any fixture 5 pounds

4) Team not attending captains meeting as notified 2 pounds

5) Team not attending two consecutive captains meetings 2 pounds +2 points

COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTE PROCEDURE

1) Complaints must always be in writing & attached to results sheet And pointing out all matters in detail, and a contact name and Phone Number.

2) The front of the result sheet should NOT be signed.

3) The complaint must be forwarded within 48 hours to Committee, with a copy going to the opposing team captain, The opposing team should be told on the night of the intention to file a complaint.

4) If your Complaint is because of an incorrect rule decision, state the rule number & mention why the decision was wrong.

5) Once a complaint is received the matter will be dealt with by the Committee & any players involved may be asked to attend a meeting.

Any Queries Contact Chairman on 07917377720