TOURNAMENT RULES

1. TEAM COMPOSITION
a. Each team shall consist SOLELY of permanent members of staff of the organisation which it represents.
b. A squad shall consist of seven players and two reserves one of whom should be nominated as touch-judge and team steward.
c. With the consent of the referee, up to two substitutions may be made for injured players, but no player for whom a substitution has been made may re-join the team during the course of that game.
(No time-wasting “tactical” replacements, please)

2. RULES OF PLAY
a. The conventional Laws of the Game, modified for seven-a-side competition, shall be adhered to, as prescribed by the RFU.
b. All matches shall be played for seven minutes each way with one minute allowed for half-time.
c. IN THE EVENT OF A DRAW AT NO SIDE IN ANY MATCH, the teams will change ends and continue playing without further interval until a score takes place which shall decide the result.

3. LOCAL RULES
a. Teams MUST assemble TEN MINUTES before each fixture at the half-way line of their pitch nearest to the clubhouse to check with the opposition for colour clashes (second-named team to change) and to toss for ends and kick-off BEFORE they take the field.
b. In the unlikely (and very expensive) event of a team failing to be ready to play at the time indicated in the programme (or as required by the organisers), they shall forfeit that game. In the opening round, opponents gaining the result by default shall play in both the Plate and Main competitions in the next round and proceed in one or the other (but not both) in the usual way. In subsequent rounds, unopposed teams shall be awarded a walk-over to the next round unless challenged by a “reserve” team who have not otherwise had a fixture.
c. Thirty seconds ONLY shall be allowed for conversion attempts (the touch-line “focus group” disapprove of teams who fail to “tap” their penalties), excess time being added to the playing time of the half in which it occurs.
d. Conversion attempts shall be by drop-kick. For tries scored "between the posts", these should be taken from the in-goal area back into the field of play. Attempts from further out, right way round. A defender shall remain back to retrieve the ball. No action may be taken to prevent the goal
e. If the referee is “staying on” to run another game after your fixture, the captain/touch-judge of the winning side can earn brownie points (and a pint?) by bringing his scorecard to the “control” point.
f. All trophy winners are expected to defend their titles in next season’s competition – planned for Sunday, ??th May 2008.


N.B. TOUCH JUDGES MUST BE PROVIDED for each game and the referees are permitted to withdraw a player to fulfill this role if necessary.

Team Organisers/Captains should ensure that their players secure any valuables brought to the Tournament (including your practice ball – none is provided) since neither the organisers, the Sponsors, nor Richmond Athletic Association can accept any responsibility for loss of, or damage to, visitors’ property.

Neither can they accept liability for any injury sustained by persons participating in, or attending, the Tournament or in any way connected therewith. Insurance Cover for any such misfortune MUST be provided by the participant or their Employer.