THAMES & CHILTERNS SUNDAY COMPETITION

COMPETITION RULES

1.SEASON

The league season will run, at its maximum extent, from the last Sunday of May to the last Sunday of August. It may be extended at the discretion of the committee as necessary.

2.FIXTURES

There will be a published fixture list, but matches in National competitions and historical fixtures will take priority. Where possible, the competition fixture will be rearranged by the clubs concerned in liaison with the fixture secretary.

3.CANCELLATIONS

If a club cancels a match for reasons other than weather after 20:00 on the Thursday preceding the game, they shall be liable for a £40 fine payable, via the League Treasurer, to their opponent. Both clubs must be aware the game is cancelled by 20:00 on the Thursday.

4.MATCH CONDITIONS

1. Duration : Matches will start no later than 14:00, and shall consist of not more than 40 overs per innings, unless a team is bowled out, when their innings will be closed. Bowlers may not bowl more than 8 overs in a match. The team scoring the most runs in the match is the winner. In the event of scores being level at the end of the second innings, the match shall be declared a tie. Incomplete matches will be deemed abandoned. There will be no drawn matches.
   
   
2. Loss of play : In the event of time being lost through inclement weather or late starting, loss of play will be assessed as 3 minutes equating to one over
   
   e.g. If 60 minutes of play is lost during the 1st innings, this equates to 60/3 = 20 overs. The balance of 60 overs will be divided equally between the 2 teams, so each team will receive 30 overs. If the team batting second loses 60 minutes of play (60/3 = 20 overs, their innings will be reduced to 20 overs. The revised target will be the run rate per over of the team batting first, over the complete innings, times 25, plus one run. So if the team batting second 160 runs in 40 overs, the target will be (160/40 = 4 x 25 = 100 + 1 run). A match that cannot achieve 20 overs per side will be deemed to be abandoned. Therefore, delayed matches must start no later then 16:30, with both sides already having taken tea, and there being a 10 minute interval between innings.
   
   
3. Balls : Balls will be approved by member clubs. A new ball, as provided by the league, will be used in each innings. The home club will provide both balls.
   
   
4. Officials : Participating clubs will make the best endeavour to provide an umpire and scorer for each fixture.
   
   
5. Field Markings : At each end of the pitch measured from the centre of the middle stump, and extension of the bowling crease to a distance of 25 yards on both sides of the pitch. The ends of these lines will be joined parallel to the length of the pitch. White lines or discs will mark the area.
   
   
6. Field Placings : There must be six fielders, including the bowler and wicket-keeper, within the marked area when the bowler delivers the ball. The Umpire at the striker's end, which shall call 'no-ball' will indicate transgression of this rule and Law 24 shall apply. The Umpire shall inform the bowler and fielding captain of the reason for his call before commencement of the bowler's run-up for the next delivery. If the umpire fails to inform the bowler or fielding captain and calls 'no-ball' for the same offence from the next ball in the same over, that ball shall be deemed void and not recorded.
   
   
7. Artificial Pitches : Artifical Pitches shall not be used for matches in the competition.
   
   
8. Players : All players taking part in fixtures in the competition must be bona-fide members of the relevant club. Overseas players should not take part in 2nd XI fixtures.
   

5.SPIRIT OF THE GAME

In keeping with the MCC Laws of October 2000, the competition hopes that all games will be played within the true spirit of the game. Given the absence of regular qualified umpires, the competition will not include the enforcement of 5 penalty runs.

6.POINTS

The winning team will receive 4 points for each match won. In the event of a tie or abandoned match, each team will receive 2 points. The Champions will be the team with the most points on completion of all fixtures. In the event of tie for the championship, the team with the most wins will be champions. Should the number of wins be the same, then the result of the league match between the contenders will determine the championship. In the unlikely event of this not deciding the title, then the championship will be shared.