Generic Playing and General Rules & Regulations
1. Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on the 31st August in the year preceding the current season. All Clubs shall hold a list of players with their dates of birth. A copy of this list must be forwarded to the League Registration Secretary before the first game of the season. Failure to comply will result in the loss of any points achieved in the game and a deduction of 2 points on the initial and all subsequent breaches. New players shall not be allowed to play until 3 (three) clear days have elapsed since the receipt of notification of the players name and date of birth by the Registration Secretary. Failure to comply will result in the loss of any points achieved in the game and a deduction of 2 points on the initial and all subsequent breaches.
2.Players may play for only one Cricket Club in a particular age group in any season. A Club may enter one or more teams in the League but each team shall be considered a separate Club. Should this rule be breached it will result in the loss of any points achieved in the game and a deduction of 2 points on the initial and all subsequent breaches.
3.The pitch shall be 20 yards (under 11s), 21 yards (under 13s) and 22 yards (under 15s) in length. Two parallel lines, be voluntary incorporated in the crease markings at a 2ft distance either side of the stumps as a guide to Umpires in determining wide deliveries.
4.The HOME side shall provide the match ball which shall weigh 4¾ ozs for the under 11s and 13s and 5½ ozs for the under 15s.
5.Each innings shall be a maximum of 20 overs.
6.Each bowler shall be entitled to a maximum of 4 overs.
7.Points shall be awarded as follows:-
(a) 3 points for a win;
(b) 2 points for a tie - irrespective of wickets lost.
(c) 1 point for an abandoned match
(d) No points will be awarded for a game not played
8. No League or Cup match shall be cancelled for reasons of inclement weather before 12.00 noon on the day of an evening match, nor before 18.00 on the day before a morning match. Cancellation shall be by arrangement between the Clubs concerned. The home side shall advise the Result Secretary of the cancellation as soon as the decision is made. The fixture shall be re-arranged with the home club offering three dates and the Result Secretary shall be informed immediately of the new date.
9.If a team fails to honour a fixture, then 2 points shall be deducted from the team's current league total and the fixture shall not be rearranged. Three points shall be awarded to the side penalised by the inability of their opponents to fulfil the fixture. Eight players shall constitute a side for a match to be played and a Club's inability to raise a side shall not be sufficient reason for the cancellation (or rearrangement) of a fixture. Should a Club feel it has extenuating reasons for cancelling a match, then it shall address these reasons to the Management Committee before the due day and the management committee’s decision shall be final.
10.At the start of a match a result sheet, listing both teams should be compiled. This is to be completed during / after the match and sent to the Result Secretary within 48 hours (2 days) of the match by the winning team. A club’s failure to comply with this rule will result in the winning side having one point deducted from its current league total.
11.Any player playing in the Palladium League and Cup Competitions must wear a helmet when batting and when standing up to the stumps when keeping wicket.
12.No player under the age of 13 and below shall be allowed to field closer than 11 yards (10 metres) from the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off side, until the batsman has played at the ball. The distance for players under the age of 15 is 8 yards (7.3 metres). These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet. Should a young player in these age groups come within the restricted distance the Umpire must stop the game immediately and instruct the fielder to move back.
13.Before the commencement of a match the Manager shall provide the umpires with a signed team sheet, clearly identifying the ages of the players.
14.Wide Ball Law 25 – Judging a Wide. Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this Law. As a guide, if it passes either side of the wicket sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a ‘normal cricket stroke’ both from where he is standing at the crease and from where he should normally be standing at the crease, the Umpire should call and signal ‘Wide’
15.ALL high-pitched deliveries, (any ball that passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease) regardless of pace, shall be called and signalled a no ball. It will be left to the discretion of either Umpire to make the initial call and signal.
16.In determining the size of boundaries clubs are requested to take into account the age group taking part in the game
17.A girl may play in an age group up to two years below her actual age unless she has represented West Devon Inter District and / or above at her correct age group at any time in her colt’s career.
18.Any official involved in a Palladium League match (Umpire, manager, coach, scorer etc) must have been CRB checked within the past three years and their club holds a current register of all members so checked which must be available for inspection. All Clubs must have completed a formal Child Protection Policy in line with the current ECB Policy – Safe Hands.
19.Clubs must have two suitably checked and qualified adults present at all fixtures.
20.Umpires must be at least sixteen years of age, appropriately dressed and only subject to extreme climatic conditions should always wear an Umpires white coat. Umpires must have a good working knowledge of the Laws of cricket.
21.All sides must provide a scorer not involved in the game.
22.All matches must start at the time stipulated.
23.Clubs will be given the opportunity of a maximum of two weeks (14 days) following the final week of the season to complete any outstanding league fixtures.
24.The Management Committee have been empowered by the membership to review the performance of member clubs with regard their commitment, organisation and reliability and to make formal recommendation at the AGM that an invitation to take part in the league to the club(s) falling below the required standard be withdrawn. The Management Committee will invite a club to appear before them in order that areas of concern can be discussed before issuing a formal warning. Clubs are required to ensure they are represented at ALL meetings. Failure will result in the League reconsidering the Clubs membership.
25.Perpetual trophies must be returned, in a clean and damage free condition to the relevant result secretary by the 31st July. Should a trophy not be returned for presentation, the League will arrange for a new trophy, fully inscribed with all previous winners, to be purchased and the total cost will be the responsibility of the club failing to return the trophy. (Clubs are advised to ensure their insurance policy covers for the loss of trophies, as the costs involved are likely to be in excess of £275.00).
26.A complaint/ appeal must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary of the League on the prescribed complaint/appeal form, to arrive within 28 days of the event giving rise to the complaint itself. To meet this requirement the Complaint/Appeal Form must be submitted stating the full grounds of the complaint, signed by the Chairman of the complainant club, any requisite deposit of fees and copies of all documents to be relied upon in supporting the complaint.
Additional Rules applying to the Cup Competitions
27. Any Club cancelling a Cup tie for any reason other than inclement weather will forfeit the tie. Should a club feel it has extenuating reasons for cancelling a match, then it shall address these reasons to the Management Committee before the due day and the management committee’s decision shall be final.
28.In the event of a tie, the result will be decided on wickets lost. If these are equal the tie will be replayed on the away side’s ground or in the case of the final on a neutral ground.
29.To be eligible to play in the semi-final and final of the cup competition a player must have played at least two league game for their club. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from the competition and the side losing the round being offered the opportunity of taking the place in the next round
30.Cup Dates
Preliminary round to be played by the or decided by the toss of a coin.
Quarter Finals to be played by the or decided by the toss of a coin.
Semi-finals to be played by the or decided by the toss of a coin
Final to be played on the