NOTES TO SUSSEX RFU REGULATIONS 2017-18

These Regulations have been re-drafted for ease of use. The majority remain as in previous years, but there are a number of important changes designed to make them easier to understand and to make the games less regulated. Where possible, Regulations apply to all Sussex Merit League/table and Knockouts.
Note : RFU Leagues at Level 9 and above have their own Regulations.

Please read these notes carefully –

Regulations are now grouped in 4 parts – General -which apply to all Competition matches (Merit League and Knockouts) – Merit Leagues (Level 10-11) and Merit Tables (Level 12)– Sussex Knockouts and new Replacement Regulations.
They do not apply to Level 9 matches (Sussex 1) and above, or to RFU Knockout matches.

General Regs 1 – 6
1 a)Competitions are now sponsored by Harveys of Lewes. Please include their name where possible
e) Defines ‘regular’ members of a team.
2 a) Clubs withdrawing teams must ‘move up’ lower teams or they will all be withdrawn.
b) Subject to agreement and sufficient notice, 2 scheduled fixture dates can be changed each season.
e) Requirement for Home club to advise if no post-match catering is available, and for an Away team to advise if they will not be staying for catering
3 a) More than 2 replacements must include a Front Row Player, more than 7 must include 2 FRP’s.
b)No limit to ‘interchanges’
d)In League matches, sides causing uncontested scrums will have League points deducted. In Knockout matches 10 or more Match points will be deducted.
4 a)If a pitch is unfit, the Home team MUST find a neutral ground or MUST offer the game to the opposition. b) Home teams cancelling at late notice pay reduced fines.
d)Where a team cancels a senior game, lower games will be declared as a 0-40 loss, except where evidence can be provided, showing that Senior players were not used.
Sussex Merit Leagues (Level 10-11)
8 c)A team cancelling 4 fixtures will be placed at the bottom of the Table, but will be expected to continue to play the remaining scheduled fixtures

Community Merit Tables (Level 12)
NOTE THAT THESE REULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS AND MAY BE REVISED BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON.
10 a)No points penalty will be made for Cancellations as the ‘Success percentage’ ignores unplayed games.
b)Any number of replacements may be agreed between teams.

Sussex Knockout Competitions
11 b)Clubs not playing matches by scheduled dates will be withdrawn. Where Clubs arrange a date between them, they are responsible for notifiying the Referees Appointments and the Administrator.
e)If a pitch is unfit, the Home team MUST try to find a neutral venue or MUST offer the game to the Opposition.

Sussex Replacement Regulations (NOTE – these have been completely rewritten)
14 b)Teams must tell the Referee how many replacements they have, and how many are Front Row players
(see also Reg. 3(a)
c)No penalty for temporary uncontested scrums due to the first injury or yellow card.
e)A player cannot be ‘interchanged’ for the third time if previous withdrawals have been through injury.
15 a)Penalties for causing uncontested scrums – League points (Merit League) or Match points (Knockouts)
b)No penalty for first Yellow card or first injury to an individual player.
c) Increased penalties for subsequent matches where uncontested scrums are caused.

SUSSEX RFU COMPETITION REGULATIONS REVISED 2017-2018
Note: These Regulations are in 4 parts. The Code of Playing Conduct should be read with them.

1. General Regulations applicable to ALL Competitive matches including Sussex Merit Leagues, Merit Tables and Sussex Knockout Competitions.
(Note: RFU regulated Leagues at Levels 9 -5 and National Leagues have their ownRegulations)
2. Competition Regulations applicable to Sussex Merit Leaguesand Sussex Merit Tables
3 CompetitionRegulations applicable to Sussex Knockouts
4. Sussex Replacement Regulations applicable to all the above Matches.

GENERALREGULATIONS
To be read with the Merit League, Merit Table, Knockout and Replacement Regulations and the Code of Conduct
1. LEGAL
a) The Competitions shall be known as the ‘Harvey’s of Sussex Merit Leagues’ and ‘Harveys of Sussex Knock-out Competitions’, and consist of Divisions as determined by the Sussex Competitions Committee and approved by SRFU. Winners and Finalists shall receive trophies and mementos determined by the Sussex RFU Executive.
b) All Competition matches shall be played under the Laws of Rugby Union Football, and comply with the Bye-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Rugby Football Union and Sussex RFU. Clubs outside Sussex may enter by agreement with Sussex RFU and their Constituent Body, and must affiliate to Sussex RFU
c) The Referee shall be appointed by the Sussex Society of Rugby Union Football Referees, when available to all matches in Sussex. Clubs should request Referee appointments informing the Society a fixture is a Competition match. The Home club is responsible for the Referee’s expenses. If a Society Referee is unavailable, the Home club should appoint a qualified Referee. If unavailable, an unqualified person may be appointed, with the consent of both sides. Matches played outside Sussex, will be played under these Regulations, but Referees, and Disciplinary procedures will be provided by the host CB.
d) Should a player be a member of more than one club, they are ineligible to play for a lower League club if they have played in Competitions for a higher RFU League Club, in the same season. A player lent to another Team shall assume temporary membership of that club, for the duration of that match.
e) Clubs entering Teams below 1st XV level should only include those playingregularly at that level or below. A player who has played regularly (i.e.at least 4 times in the current season) at a higher level may not subsequently play at a lower level unless returning from injury, is unable to travel or is dropped by reason of playing ability.. (See Code of Conduct below) Clubs fielding ineligible players will be subject to sanctions. including forfeit of the match. There shall be no penalty for a team having less than 15 (other than for inability to field a Front Row). The minimum starting number of players in each side for a match to count for Competitions matches below Level 9 is 10. Teams are strongly recommended to lend or borrow players where teams are short. No penalty is incurred by the lending side Teams must be of equal numbers, except where Players are lent, when the lending team may have one more at the kick-off. This is not affected by later Red or Yellow cards.
f) The Home Club is responsible for correctly marking out the pitch and preferably roping it off, and with the Referee, and Touch Judges, to ensure that the touchline is kept clear of hard objects such as bicycles or water bottle crates, and replacements/spectators/coaches etc. as per RFU Regulation 13.7 3-6
g) If either team has objections about the ground or the way it is marked out, they must, before kick-off, tell the Referee who will attempt to resolve the issues. If a Club has complaints about the pitch before the day of the match, the Administrator will inspect (or appoint someone else to) the pitch and notify teams of its suitability.
h) The Home Club is responsible prior to the match, for checking the visiting team’s strip. Where teams have clashing colours, the Home club is responsible for changing to the satisfaction of the Referee.
2 . ADMINISTRATION
a) Competitions will be organised by an Administrator appointed by the Sussex Competitions Committee. Formats and structure will be determined by that Committee and approved by the SRFU. Entries must be made in writing pre-season,by the date specified. Clubs must provide contact details of persons responsible for Team matters.
b)Clubs withdrawing teams from the Competitions after they start, may be refused entry in future. A Club withdrawing a Team from a League or Knockout Competition, may with the agreement of the Administrator, move all its lower XV’s up a level(s) to take its place. Failing this, all lower XV’s will be removed from the Draw
c) Competition matches shall be played on the dates scheduled, unless pitches at both Clubs are unavailableor teams have a superior RFU, National or County Competition match. A Club may apply to change a maximum of 2 fixture dates per season, and must first obtain the agreement of their opposition, and give at least 4 Saturdays clear notice. Such matches may be played earlier or later than the scheduled date, or as League or League/Knockout ‘double-headers’. All such changes must be notified to the Administrator and the Referee’s Appointments Secretary. If exceptional circumstances apply, Clubs may request the Administrator to authorise a mandatory change of date,
c) Unless agreed between the sides and Referee beforehand, League Kick-off times will be: August, September, October, March, April, May – 3pm, November, February – 2.30pm, December, January – 2.00pm.
Knockout matchesare to start 30 minutes earlier.
e) The HOME team shall, by 20.00 hrs on the day of the match, notify the Sussex Results Service of the Score and any other details required including time of an abandonment, or an NFR penalty.. Notification shall be by email to the address notified by the Administrator, (currently – ) or such other method as shall be advised.
f) The HOME side will normally provide a light snack for their visitors, and must advise them beforehand if this is not possible. The AWAY side must inform the Home Club by 9pm Thursday, if they do not intend stay for a post-match meal. Sussex RFU recommend that failure to do so may render clubs liable for re-imbursement of catering costs.

3. FRONT ROW AND OTHER REPLACEMENTS
a) Before all Knockout matches and at League levels 10-11, up to 3 replacements may be notified to the Referee and Opposition (See Reg 14 b) unless up to 7 are agreed before play and the Referee advised.
If there are more than two replacementsone must be a Front Row Player, and where more than 4 are notified, two must be Front Row Players
b) There shall be no limit to the number of ‘Interchanges’ between players. (see also Reg 14 (e) below) All changes must be made from the half-way line at a stoppage in play, with the Referee’s consent.
c) If a team, at the start of a match, or during it, are unable to field a qualified front row the scrums will be uncontested (UCS). A No Front Row (NFR) League point (s)penalty or Match pointswill apply.
d) The Sussex Replacement Regulations shall apply to all matches, and a deduction of League or Match points will be made where uncontested scrums are played. Where a side incurs a match point penalty, their score remains at 0 until they have scored more than the points deducted. Points are not added to the Opposition score

4. CANCELLATION AND ABANDONMENT
a) When a decision as to the fitness of the ground is necessary before the scheduled date, it shall be made by the Home Club. Ifdeclared unfit, the Club MUST attempt to find a neutral pitch, and failing that, offer the match to the opposition, before postponing the match.
b) A Team, whether playing at Home or Away, cancelling, a fixture MUST, as early as possible, inform the Opposition club,Administrator and the Referees Appointments . A team cancelling an Away fixture later than 22.00 hrs.on the Thursday prior to the match, will be fined £50.00. Cancellations later than 12.00 hrs on the Friday prior, incur a fine of £75.00, and later than midnight Friday a fine of £100. A Home team cancelling a fixture, will be fined £25, £35, £45 respectively. Clubs will be sent an invoice payable to the Sussex Fixture Bureau to cover the opposition Club’ expenses. Failure to pay these fines will render the Team ineligible for future competitions
c) The Referee is the sole judge of time, and whether playing conditions are safe. If pitch conditions prevent play or a match is abandoned with less than 60 minutes played, the Administrator will advise the replay date. .If a match is abandoned for weather conditions after 60 mins play, the current score will be the final score. If a match is abandoned for any other reason, irrespective of the time played, the result will be determined by the Administrator who may order a replay, or for the score to stand.
d) If a club cancels any League or Knockout match other than for unfit matches at both grounds, all Teams of that club below the level of the Team cancelling, who play matches that day, will be deemed to have lost their match by 40-0. If they can provide written evidence that players from the Seniorteam did not play at the lower level, no penalty is incurred. Should the lower XV game(s) not take place, the lower Teams will be deducted the appropriate points. If the match is played, lower Teams will receive 1pt for a loss, and a bonus point if they lose by less than 7.

5. DISPUTES AND TRANSGRESSIONS
a) Any matters in dispute or allegations of transgression of these Regulations shall be referred immediately to the Administrator in writing (inc. email), who will notify the parties of his decision. A Club can appeal a decision of the Administrator to the County Competition Committee Chairman, in writing within 7 days. A Club has a further, final, rightto appeal, in writing within 7 days, (on payment of an administration charge of £50.00 - returnable if the appeal is upheld) to the County Executive Committee. A Club may be represented at the hearing of this appeal.
b) The Committee shall, at the request of the Organiser, or in its own right, suspend, apply a playing sanction, or withdraw a club for misconduct or contravention of the regulations.
6. ACCEPTANCE
Other than provided by these Regulations, the RFU Regulations shall apply.
All Clubs entering Competitions accept these Regulations, which supersede all previous Sussex Regulations.

SUSSEX MERIT LEAGUES (Level 10-11)
To be read in conjunction with the General and Replacement Regulations and the Code of Conduct.
Applicableto Sussex Division 2,3, (Levels 10-11 Leagues )General Regulations 1-6 apply to all matches
7. SCORING AND DETERMINATION OF LEAGUE POSITION
a) The Team with most League points from matches where League points are awarded shall be placed first.
b)League points will be awarded as follows:
4 points - A Win. 1 point - A Loss. 3 points - A Draw.
1 point – Playing an Away game 1 point - Losing by 7 points or fewer.
Demerit (s) of League Points for failing to provide a Front Row (NFR penalty)
Demerit of 1 pt for Late result or not advising Cancellation, Postponement ,Abandonment.or NFR penalty
c) Where a ‘double-header’ is agreed, the match is treated as if it were 2 matches, The winner will gain a home win and an away win, (9 points) and the loser, an away loss and a home loss (3pts), and 2 sets of match points will be entered. .
d) In the case of equality, Final League positions will be determined as follows:
i) League points ii) The number of matches won, (excluding Walkovers) iii). Points Difference
iv) Points scored. v) Aggregate points score of matches between Clubs concerned.
8. CANCELLATIONS
a) Other than for unfit pitchesa team cancellingwill be deducted, 4 points a Home fixture, or 5 for an Away fixture and will lose the match 40-0.
b) If a fixture is cancelled in the first half of the season, the return fixture will be played at the non-offending club. If the non-offending club was due to play Away, it will still be eligible for an away bonus point.
c) A team cancelling 4 fixtures, other than for unfit pitches, will be placed at the bottom of the Table, but be expected to play the remaining scheduled fixtures.

COMMUNITY MERIT LEAGUES AND TABLES (Level 12) REGULATIONS
(Note: In a Merit League , all Teams must play each other Home and Away, and League points are awarded and expressed in a League Table. In a Merit Table, Teams do not have to play all others, and results are expressed in a ‘Success Percentage ‘form). Results in both forms will be published weekly.

General Regulations 1-6 apply to all matches

9. FIXTURES
a) Clubs may make their own fixtures against other Merit Table teams, or may advise the Administrator before the start of, or during the season, which weeks they wish to play on, and where available, fixtures will be supplied. Fixtures can be changed by agreement as per General Regulation2b. Results of these fixtures will be recorded in the Community Merit League Table.

10. PLAYING
a) In the Merit Table, success percentage will be based on points will be awarded as per Reg. 7b. except that there shall be no penalty for cancelling a match before 9pm Thursday, but General Reg 4b. will apply to all cancellations, with regard to notifications etc.
b)Replacements shall be in accordance with the Sussex Replacements Regulations, excepting that any number of Replacements may be agreed beforehand and the Referee notified.
c) Results and scores shall be reported by the Home team in accordance with General Regulation 2(d) before 8pm on matchday, by email to: