Essex County
Rugby Football Union

ESSEX COUNTY RFU COMPETITION RULES

1           Rules of Essex Competitions

1.1         These rules shall be known as the Essex County Rugby Football Union Ltd ("the County") Competition Rules ("the Rules").

1.2         Only clubs in membership of the County ("Essex Clubs") shall be eligible to compete in the County Competition.

1.3         Failure by a Club to pay the required membership subscription by the 31st October will result in disqualification from these competitions.

2                COMPETITIONS

2.1         Each season the County will hold the following Competitions:

2.1.1          Senior Cup (This competition is open to the 8 highest placed Essex clubs in the RFU Leagues).

2.1.2          Intermediate Cup (This competition is open to the next 16 highest placed Essex clubs in the RFU Leagues).

2.1.3          Presidents Shield (This competition is open to any other member club of the Union who normally play their matches on a Saturday and not eligible to take part in the Senior or Intermediate Cup Competitions).

2.1.4          2nd XV Cup (This competition is open to 2nd XV’s of the 16 highest placed Essex Clubs by virtue of their position in the RFU Leagues).

2.1.5          John Adler Trophy (This competition is open to 2nd XV’s of any other member club of the Union who normally play their matches on a Saturday).

2.1.6          Clubs U19’s Cup (This competition is open to U19 Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.7          Clubs U17’s Cup (This competition is open to U17 Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.8          Clubs U16’s Cup (This competition is open to U16 Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.9          Clubs U15’s Cup (This competition is open to U15 Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.10       Clubs U14’s Cup (This competition is open to U14 Youth sections of Essex                        Clubs).

2.1.11        Clubs U13’s Festival (This competition is open to U13 Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.12        Clubs Mini Midi Festival (This festival is open to Mini-Midi Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

2.1.13        Clubs Seniors 7’s (This competition is open to Essex Clubs).

2.1.14      Clubs Colts 7’s (This competition is open to Youth sections of Essex Clubs).

3               PLAYING

3.1         All games in the competitions shall be played under the Laws of Rugby Union Football and comply with all Bye-laws, Regulations, Rules and Resolutions of the Rugby Football Union

3.2         Competitions will be controlled by the Management Committee, which shall delegate the organisation of Competitions to the Competitions Committee ("the Committee").

3.3         The Committee shall have the power to deal with all disputes and transgressions including the power to disqualify participating Clubs which have infringed the rules or spirit of a competition.

3.4         The Chairman ("organiser") has the responsibility for the day to day running of the competitions.

3.5         The Essex County Referees Society will be responsible for appointing a referee for all County Competition matches

3.6         U19 Variations - The rules and regulations regarding the playing of the Game by persons Under 19 as laid down by the RFU and IRB will apply to the Essex Club Competitions

3.6.1          Under 16, 17, 18 and Under 19 (Colts) - Playing time not to exceed 35 minutes each way with a size 5 ball. There will not be any extra time played at the end of normal playing time Rule 5.17 will apply to determine the winner.

3.6.2          Under 15 - Playing time not to exceed 30 minutes each way with a size 5 ball. There will not be any extra time played at the end of normal playing time Rule 5.17 will apply to determine the winner.

3.6.3          Under 14 - Playing time not to exceed 25 minutes each way with a size 4 ball. There will not be any extra time played at the end of normal playing time Rule 5.17 will apply to determine the winner.

3.6.4          Under 13 - The RFU Continuum regarding playing in festivals will apply

4               THE DRAW

4.1         The draw for the first round of the Senior competitions (including a preliminary round if required) shall be made prior to the commencement of the season and will normally be carried out following the AGM of the County.

4.2         The draw for the youth competitions will be made by the 31st October.

4.3         Each subsequent round will be determined by a separate draw. 

4.4         The first side to be drawn shall be designated the home side wherever the game shall be played. 

4.5         The senior finals shall be played at neutral venues determined by the Committee.

4.6         The youth finals will be played at venues determined by the committee which will be dependant upon the venue of the senior final to which the youth final is paired.

4.7         The competition secretary’s will notify all club secretaries of the result of the draw.

5               GENERAL

5.1         The home side shall be responsible for informing their opponents, the referee, touch judges and the relevant competition secretary of the venue and kick-off time of the game. 

5.2         Failure by a club to inform the secretary may result in the loss of home advantage if the club is drawn at home in the next round.

5.3         Except in the final the home side shall be responsible for the out of pocket expenses of the referee and appointed touch judges.

5.4         In games where Referee Society touch judges are appointed the relevant parts of Law 6(6) the Laws of Rugby Union Football shall apply

5.5         In the event of a clash of colours, (Except in the final, when the toss of a coin will decide who changes), the home side shall change.

5.6         The home side shall be responsible for ensuring that the pitch is clearly and correctly marked and that all spectators, replacements and others are kept at a reasonable distance from the field of play.

5.7         Rule 5.7 shall only apply to the Senior Competitions.

5.7.1          The Saturday date for each round of a competition shall be advised to the participating clubs prior to the start of the season. 

5.7.2          If both teams agree games may be played on the Sunday of the same weekend but at least seven days notice is to be given to the senior secretary if the game is to be played on the Sunday.

5.7.3          Only in special circumstances will permission be given for games to be played at any other time.   Requests for special consideration must be made in writing to the Organiser/secretary not less than 14 days before the date on which permission is sought to play the match.

5.7.4           Matches shall be played in normal daylight hours (unless being played under rule 5.12) - due regard must be made for the possibility of extra time.  The semi-finals and final shall be afternoon kick-offs.

5.7.5           Under exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of both clubs and the secretary, matches may also be played under floodlights and midweek.

5.7.6          A late decision as to the fitness of the ground shall be made by the Captains of the teams involved and if they cannot agree the decision shall be made by the referee.

5.7.7          If conditions prevent a match being played, or if a match is abandoned at any time before no-side, it shall be played on the following weekend. 

5.7.8          If a game is abandoned for disciplinary reasons, the offending side shall be disqualified.

5.7.9          Except in the final, if the scores are equal after 40 minutes of normal playing time, there shall be an immediate period of additional play between the same teams of 10 minutes each way with a one minute interval. If this does not produce a result:

5.7.9.1          the side scoring most tries shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then:

5.7.9.2           the side scoring most goals (conversions) shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then

5.7.9.3          the away side shall go through to the next round.

5.7.10             In the Final if the scores are equal after 40 minutes of normal playing time there shall be an immediate period of additional play between the same teams of 10 minutes each way with a one minute interval. If this does not produce a result:

5.7.10.1       the side scoring most tries shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then:

5.7.10.2       the side scoring most goals (conversions) shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then

5.7.10.3       the winner shall be decided by the application of rule 5.8

5.8          Kicking Competition - To determine the winner of a final, when scores are level a kicking competition will take place in the following manner:

5.8.1          Each team shall nominate one player from its number on the field of play at the final whistle to participate on its behalf in a drop-goal competition.

5.8.2          Each kicker in turn shall attempt a drop goal from predetermined positions as set out in rule 5.8.4, until such time as after an equal number of attempts; one kicker has kicked more goals than the other.

5.8.3          These attempts will be made towards the goal posts nominated by the referee.  The team who kicked off the match shall kick first.

5.8.4          The attempts will be taken from the positions as detailed below at rules 5.8.4.2 to 5.8.4.6, in turn, and if necessary repeating the sequence until a decision as set out in 5.8.2 can be determined: -

5.8.4.1          at the intersection of the 22-metre line and

5.8.4.2          the centre of the 22-metre line

5.8.4.3          the intersection of 22-metre and 15-metre lines to the left or right of the posts facing.  This position may be at the kickers discretion

5.8.4.4          the intersection of 22-metre and 5-metre lines to left or right of the posts facing.  This position may be at the kickers discretion

5.8.4.5          the intersection of 22-metre and 15-metre lines to left or right of the posts facing.  The position to be on the opposite side of the pitch as to the option chosen by the kicker in 5.8.4.3

5.8.4.6          the intersection of 22-metre and 5-metre lines to left or right of the posts facing.  The position to be on the opposite side of the pitch as to the option chosen by the kicker in 5.8.4.4

5.9         Rule 5.9 shall only apply to youth competition matches

5.9.1          Except in the final, if the scores are level at the conclusion of normal playing time:

5.9.1.1          the side scoring most tries shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then:

5.9.1.2          the side scoring most goals (conversions) shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then

5.9.1.3          the away side shall go through to the next round.

5.9.2          In the final if the scores are level at the end of normal playing time:

5.9.2.1          the side scoring most tries shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then:

5.9.2.2          the side scoring most goals (conversions) shall be declared the winner. If this does not produce a result then

5.9.2.3          the winner shall be decided by the application of rule 5.8 - (kicking competition)

6               NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

6.1         Except in the final the winning side is responsible for phoning the result IMMEDIATELY after the game has finished (no later than 5pm or if played under rule 5.12 no later than 10pm).  Clubs failing to do so may lose home advantage if they are drawn at home in the next round

6.2         Result match cards must be filled in with a full team list signed by the referee and returned to the relevant secretary to arrive within three days after the match.

6.3         Failure to return the postcard by the club may result in the loss of home advantage if the club is drawn at home in the following round.

7               WITHDRAWAL

7.1         Clubs wishing to withdraw form the competition must give 14 days notice in writing to the Organiser, giving their reasons

7.2         Failure to give sufficient notice or to give an acceptable reason for withdrawing may result in the club being barred from the competition for one season or any other punishment as recommended by the Committee.

8               PLAYER ELIGIBILITY - Rule 8 applies to the Senior, Intermediate, President’s Shield and 2nd XV Competitions

8.1         Except in the 2nd XV Competitions, a club may only play or select as a replacement, players who hold effective registration for that club in accordance with the RFU Registration of Players Regulations.

8.2         Clubs which do not compete in the English Clubs Championship and so do not have registered players may still compete provided they can satisfy the organiser that the players are bona fide members of that club and that they will not field players who are registered with other clubs

8.3         A player who has played for a club in any round of an Essex Clubs Competition may not play for another club in any other Essex Club competition held during the same season.

9               PLAYER ELIGIBILITY – Rule 9 applies to Youth Competitions

9.1         As registration is mandatory by the RFU and the County for junior players competing in competitions, all player registrations must be completed. i.e. registrations up to date.

9.1.1          All players must be registered with the County Youth Registrar at least fourteen days BEFORE the date of the match.

9.1.2          Only the Registrar’s list will be accepted as proof that a player is properly registered. Match cards will be sent to the Registrar for checking.

9.1.3          Players may not be selected for more than one age group in any one season.

9.1.4          Players may not represent more than one club in any Essex County RFU organised competition during a season

9.2         Age Limits

9.2.1          In the youth competitions, age limits will apply and all players must be under the stated age limit on the first day of September of the current season

9.2.2          A Club found to have fielded an ineligible player will be disqualified.

9.3         Mini-midi Festival

9.3.1          The rules of the RFU continuum will apply.

10           SECOND XV CUP COMPETITIONS - Rule 10 provides variations to the Rules which are applicable to 2nd XV Cup competitions

10.1       The finals shall be played at neutral venues determined by the Committee.

10.2       The home side will provide the normal hospitality as expected in inter club matches.

10.3       The committee shall set the date of the final.

10.4        All matches will be played on a Saturday when the first XV’s of both clubs have   League, RFU Cup or Essex Cup competition matches.

10.5       The dates of 2nd XV Cup matches will be notified to clubs by the secretary having taken into consideration the Essex Clubs Merit Table and First XV fixtures where applicable.

10.6       Postponed games or games abandoned due to injury or the weather with less than 60 minutes played, must be replayed on the next available date which complies with rule 10.5. In the event that more than 60 minutes has been played the score shall stand.

10.7       In the spirit of the competition registered players will not be insisted upon, but clubs must only field genuine players who are fully paid up members of the club.

10.8       Players registered for another club may not be selected.

11           RIGHT OF APPEAL

11.1      There is a right of appeal to the Management Committee in respect of a decision made under rule 3.3 or by the Organiser.

11.2       Such appeal shall be made in writing within 48 hours of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the appeal and shall be made to the President of the County through the Hon. Secretary of the County.

11.3       The President of the County shall appoint a sub-committee of not less than three neutral members of the Essex County RFU.

11.4       If deemed necessary the President may also co-opt such other person to the sub-committee as required.

11.5       In the absence of the President the Immediate Past President will take his place for the purposes of the appeal.

11.6       The right of appeal shall apply to all senior and youth competitions. Any decision must be made at least seven days before the date of the next round of the competition concerned.

11.7       The decision of the appeals panel is final and binding.

Rules amended and validated by the Essex County RFU Competitions Committee - September 2006.