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Rules for the Essex & Suffolk Association
Croquet League
- Each match shall, unless otherwise agreed,
consist of seven games, played according to the rules of The
Croquet Association. The best available balls shall be used and
all sets must be of identical manufacture.
- In
the morning, one single-banked doubles game and two singles
games shall be played, and in the afternoon four singles games.
All games will be of 26 points. The time limits will be 3 hours
15 minutes for the doubles and any double-banked singles games,
and 3 hours for single-banked singles games.
Only two lawns may be used even if more lawns
are available.
Prior to the start of each match, the captains
will exchange team names, with players listed as A,B,C and D or
W,X,Y and Z for their respective teams. The listing shall be in
handicap order, the lower handicap first. Where two or more
players have the same handicap the captain may choose the order,
which will apply for the whole match.
In the morning any two players may play together
in the doubles, and the remaining players will play singles. The
singles games should be organised as far as possible so that the
minimum number of bisques is required in each game (i.e.
matching handicaps as indicated by the A,B,C,D listing).
In the afternoon, depending on who played whom
in the morning's singles,
D will play either Z or Y;
A will play either W or X;
See examples on separate sheet. |
C will play
either Y, X or Z;
B either X, W or Y. |
- Each team normally comprises four individual
players but, by prior agreement with the opposition, a team may
substitute a player or players between the morning and afternoon
sessions.
No player may play for more than one team in a
season.
If a team is unable to field four players it
may, by prior agreement, play three players versus three.
Ideally this should be agreed early in the season, but the
maximum possible notice should be given if this is anticipated.
Alternatively, if the opponents in this
situation cannot agree to play 3 v 3, a 'guest player' from
another club may be invited to make up the number, but the guest
may not contribute to the team's score and one point will be
awarded to the opposition for each game so played.
- At all times, the sum of the handicaps of the four
team-members in play must be 20 or more. (In a 3 v 3 match this
minimum is reduced to 15). Players with handicaps of 0 to 24
inclusive, are eligible to take part, but in doubles play the
maximum handicap shall be reckoned at 18. All players should
have up-to-date handicap cards with them at each match.
- All matches should be played on the set date unless both
teams agree to a change. The rearranged match need not be played
before the date set for the next match in sequence, but the
change of date must be agreed as soon as possible after receipt
of the match timetable, and the League Secretary notified.
- If a team cancels a match unilaterally less than three clear
days before it is scheduled or, as in rule 5 above, rescheduled
to take place (i.e. later than midnight on Tuesday before a
Saturday match), then that team shall forfeit its points and the
team awarded the match shall, at the end of the season, be
awarded the average number of points achieved in its other
matches.
- Where a match has to be abandoned, if
it is not possible to play the outstanding games at a later
date, then the score shall stand as the number of games
completed at the time of the abandonment. If the abandoned match
and its points are likely at the end of the season to affect the
outcome of the Championship of the Essex/Suffolk League, then
the entire match shall be replayed.
- The result
of each match must be notified as soon as possible to the League
Secretary by the organisers of both teams.
- The
winning Essex/Suffolk League team shall play-off against the
winners of the Beds/Herts and Norfolk/Cambs Leagues to determine
which side shall represent the East Anglian Federation in the CA
Secretary's Shield competition.
David Haslam
League Manager |
