Clubs participating need to pay a £50 bond to the league, which will be held and returned at the end of the season unless a fine has been issued.

The league will run in two halves, every team playing each other once before the league gets split into two.

Top 7 then play each other twice and the lower 7 play each other twice.

Rule 1
The position of a Club in the League shall be established by awarding;

In addition, one bonus point will be awarded to a team;

Rule 2
Because of the nature of the first half of the season the first 13 games must have a result – if team ‘cries off’ -1 point and opposition get 5 points.
If called off for weather match a draw – 2 points each.  If the 'away' team have a pitch suitable for play then the game must be switched.

Rule 2a
If two or more Clubs have the same number of League points after 13 games (the split) the league positions shall be determined firstly by the difference between match points “for” and match points “against”. If Clubs have the same number of points and the same points difference then the team with the higher number of wins shall be placed higher.

Should two Clubs have the same number of League points and an equal number of wins and the same match points difference, a Club having scored more match points “for” shall be placed higher in the League than a Club having the lesser number of match points “for”. If this still does not establish the positions then the Clubs involved shall be ranked according to the number of matches won, excluding the first League match of the season. If necessary this process shall be extended to exclude the second match, third match and so on until the final positions are established.

Rule 3
After the split all clubs return to zero points and Rule 2a will be used to work out final league positions at the end of the season. 

Regardless of points gained by the end of the season no team from the lower 7 can finish higher than 7th.

Rule 4
All matches shall be played under the laws of the English Rugby Football Union. Kick off times to be arranged by participating clubs.

Rule 5
Any bona-fide member of a club shall be eligible to play in league matches. A player who has played for the 1st XV is eligible to play for the 2nd XV the following week and thereafter, providing that his 1st XV have a game on that same weekend.

No club shall be allowed to play any member or members of another club in order to strengthen their own team for league matches. The exception to this rule may apply to front row players only, who with the permission of the opposition club, may be brought in from elsewhere when that club has insufficient such players, to allow a game to go ahead.

In the case of any particular hardship arising from this Rule, application may be made to the League Secretary.

Rule 6
Up to SIX replacements will be allowed in any game, one (preferably two) of those replacements to be capable of playing in the front row.  Rolling substitutions shall be allowed in all games.

Rule 7
Before a game commences if there is a shortage of front row players, the game starts with uncontested scrums,  and four league points will be awarded to the team with the full compliment. Should the team unable to field a front row win the match they will receive 2 POINTS and any bonus points that may be won.

If a game goes into uncontested scrums after the start normal rules apply.  

All games involved in uncontested scrums MUST be reported to the League Secretary. 

Rule 8
The appointment of the referees will be made by the home club through their local appointments panel.

Rule 9
Any side unable to fulfil a fixture in after the split for any reason other than the weather forfeits the game, except under exceptional circumstances and agreed by the committee. Exceptional requests must be submitted to the Leagues Secretary at least one Calendar month in advance.  

Rule 10
Any team which concedes THREE games in the course of a season will be expelled from the league and their records expunged.  Any team expelled from the League for failing to fulfil fixtures will not automatically be re-admitted the following season.  If a team is expelled they will have to apply to the committee for re-entry the following season and will lose their £50 bond.

Rule 11
If a team ‘cry-off’ the game on match day the opposition can claim £25 of the bond to cover costs.

Rule 12
Where a Club does not fulfil its AWAY fixture in the second half of the season, then it must forego its HOME fixture and travel to play the opposition AWAY. 

Rule 13
Both sides will be responsible for sending in the results. Score must be checked with the referee. These must be received by Sunday 6.00pm at the very latest. It can be done by text, telephone, fax or e-mail to Craig Johnston (07525614337, 01434 607696 or jcraigj@sky.com. Failure to send in results by either side will involve a £5 penalty for the first offence. Second offence will involve a £10 penalty. Further offences could involve points deduction or expulsion from the league. Fines will be taken from the bond and will need to be ‘topped up’ if necessary before the following season.

Rule 14
In the event that the Committee become aware that a member club has materially mislead or deceived them to gain an advantage the Committee reserves the right to impose such disciplinary action as they deem fit including expulsion from the league.  

Rule 15
All complaints received by the Leagues Secretary re conduct of other teams/clubs MUST be in writing and received within 10 days of the incident/s occurring. Such complaints must be accompanied by documentary evidence including any referee’s report and written statements from officers of the complainant club. On receipt of the complaint the Secretary shall forward details of the complaint to the club the subject of the complaint, who shall respond within seven days. The Committee shall then issue their findings within 10 days. If the club is dissatisfied with the decision of the Committee they may then appeal against such decision. See Rule 16.

The Rules Committee are the sole interpreters of these rules.  

Rule 16
Should a team wish to appeal against a decision of the Committee notice of the appeal must be forwarded to the Leagues Secretary within 7 days of the Committee’s decision (time being of the essence).The matter would then be considered by the Northumberland Competitions Committee for their decision. 

Note 1: 
All results and tables will be posted on the league website.  Clubs must take their own copies for publication on notice boards from the website.  
Website address:-                www.ubscandyleague.co.uk  

Note 2:
Any team or Club with concerns or questions should address them to the appropriate League Secretary a.s.a.p.
 
Addendum.   
While it is not our intention to be too regulatory in respect of the league, it is important that we uphold the rules, in order for the leagues to run smoothly and with the least instances of controversy. It is essential that RESULTS are received on time.