ADMINISTRATION ============== The competition shall be under the control of the North Glos. Combination. The competition and its format shall be played according to the rules of the RFU Clubs Knockout Competition except where stated differently in these rules. Its decisions concerning any matter relating to the competition shall be final and binding on the participating clubs. Subject to the discretion of NGC, any infringement of these rules may debar an offending club from further participation in the competition This competition exists to promote the game of rugby football and to encourage NGC clubs to participate in a competitive but sporting manner. Any significant breach of these rules or the spirit of fair play that this competition exists to support will result in exclusion of individuals, teams or the whole club. Clubs that withdraw sides from the competition at short notice will have all teams below that expelled from the competition. An entry fee shall be determined annually by the Combination. Each member club must submit a full list of players for the cup competition to the cup committee at the September meeting in the season of the current competition, this list can be amended until the 1st February in the current competition. ELEGIBILITY =========== Only clubs in fully paid up membership of the combination shall be eligible to participate in the competition. 1) A club in a competition match may only play or select as a replacement players who are members of that club. 2) Any player who takes part in the Senior or junior cup competitions should have played a minimum of 7 games for their NGC club in the season of the current competition. 3) No player who is under contract to, or playing for another club outside of the NGC in the season of the current competition is elegible to play in this competition. 4) In exceptional circumstances paid player coaches may be elegible, however these players must apply to the competition committee for a dispensation to rule (2) above and this will be given serious consideration. 5) Students that have represented their NGC club in more than 7 fixtures in the season of the current competition are elegible to take part in this competition. 6) No player may play for more than one club in the competition. 7) No player may play if a confirmed debt is owed to another club in the combination at the time of the competition. PENALTY- any infringement of these regulations will result in the disqualification from the competition for that season of the player and the club involved. ENTRIES and DRAWS ================= The team drawn first in each match shall be deemed to be the home side, and in normal circumstances, the fixture will be played on their home ground, with the exception of the Final, which shall take place on a neutral ground. MATCHES ======= a) The competition shall be played throughout the season and all matches, including those postponed, shall take place by such dates and at such times as the North Glos. Combination shall decide. b) All matches shall be played in accordance with the laws of the game. Players must wear their own club colours, but in the event of a clash, the home team shall change colours and wear distinctive jerseys. It is also responsible for confirming the match with the appointed referee and for roping off the pitch. (Referee to contact the touch judges). c) For all matches the referee and touch judges (if available) shall be appointed by the North Glos. Referees society. d) Before the commencement of the match, each club must provide a list of 15 players and 3 replacements on the official team sheet to an attending combination representative. (5 named replacements will be allowed at the finals). These lists will be retained and checked by the cup committee. Matches will not commence until these lists satisfactorily as for current league games. e) All rounds except the semi-final and final, if after 40 minutes of play each way, the scores are level, there will be no period of extra time. If the scores are level, the team with the most tries shall go forward to the next round. If this does not produce a result the team that has scored the most goals from tries will go forward to the next round. If the scores are still equal after this then the visiting team will go forward to the next round. f) In the semi-finals, if after 40 minutes of play each way the scores are still level, there will be an immediate period of extra time of 10 minutes each way, with a 1 minute interval. If the scores are still level the game will be decided by applying rule (e). g) If following agreement between both teams, the referee’s society and the cup committee the semi-finals can count in another competition (to be called a double header). If at the end of normal time the game is drawn, no extra time will be played, and the result shall be decided by applying rule (e). h) In the final, if after 40 minutes each way the scores are level, there shall be an immediate period of extra time of 10 minutes each way, with a 1-minute interval. If the scores are then still equal the team that has scored the most tries shall be the winner. If this does not produce a result, the team that has scored the most goals from tries shall be the winner. If no result is then achieved then the match will be adjudged a draw. i) All replacements, substitutions and failure to provide front row replacements as per current IRB rulings. All home clubs to contact the Referees Society with date and venue for the game. Any expenses incurred when playing at a neutral ground will be shared equally between both clubs. The home club is responsible for ensuring a copy of the cup rules is available on night. No player having started a match in the senior competition may take part in the junior competition. No player who as started a match in the senior or junior competition may take pert in the Glanville competition. Replacements shall be in accordance with current RFU laws. A player, who acts as a replacement for a senior match and plays, shall still be eligible to play in the junior or Glanville competition. A junior match replacement that plays shall still be eligible for the Glanville competition. GENERAL ======= The Hon. Secretary of the winning club must notify the combination within 48 hours, by telephone or writing to the combination secretary. Any protest, together with the grounds thereof and a remittance of £25.00 (refundable at the discretion of the cup committee), must be received by the competition secretary within 72 hours of a match being played. Within the same period, a copy of the protest must be supplied to the opposing club. Should a game be abandoned due to weather, pitch becoming unusable, or due to serious injury, the result will stand if the game has completed 60 minutes of play or more. Failure to complete a fixture due to any other reason the tie will be referred to the cup committee for adjudication. The referee is responsible for administering the laws of the game only. The cup committee will deal with any other queries or complaints. The committee recommends that each club should provide adequate stewarding to ensure safety of the players, officials and spectators at the game. NOTE: Abuse of match officials is a serious offence and will not be tolerated by the committee. Any unacceptable behaviour by players or spectators may result in disqualification from the competion. Ropes or safety barriers must be placed either side of pitches to ensure that spectators remain at a safe distance from playing areas. Failure to do this may result in exclusion from the competition at the discretion of the committee. TROPHIES & FINANCE =================== Cups shall be awarded each season. The winners shall receive the North Glos. Combination Cup relevant to their specific competition. The cups shall remain the property of the North Glos. Combination, who will be responsible for the inscription and insurance. North Glos shall provide individual trophies, for permanent retention by the clubs reaching the finals. Combination. In all matches except the finals, the home club shall pay expenses for the referees and touch judges. The only exception will be rearranged games ordered by the North Glos. Combination to be played at a neutral venue. The financial administration for the finals shall be determined annually by the North Glos. Combination.