Match procedure

Full match procedure and rules can be found here

  1. Each team are allowed a maximum of 12 registered players at any one time.
  1. Players can only be registered for one team during a season. Teams may register additional players once the registration sheet has been forwarded to the committee by adding the player(s) at the appropriate section on the official match card. Once the total of 12 players has been reached additional players can only be added once an existing player is deleted, again, at the appropriate section on the official match card.
  1. New registrations will only be accepted if the official match card is signed by the new player(s) before or on the last league game on the fixture list. Once a player has been deleted by their team they cannot be re-signed for that team or any other team in the league during that season.
  1. Only 1 professional player can register per team, those players are not permitted to enter any non-team events such as singles, doubles, captains etc. The player registration form will contain a section for any professional player.
  1. Any team including a non-registered player in any of their matches during the season will face the following action:
  • Secretary to write to the offending team highlighting the illegal player in question and notifying that the frame in question will be awarded to the opposing team.
  • Should the team continue to put forward the player in future matches or continue to breach the 12-player rule then formal notice will be given to the offending team and the matter discussed at the next available committee meeting. If the next committee meeting is not in a timely manner then an EGM will be called to discuss the case and further disciplinary action discussed including the possibility of expulsion from the league.
  1. All matches must be played on Thursdays as per the fixture list.
  1. Fixtures can only be postponed due to a bereavement, home venue holding a funeral or a large private event has been booked which means the use of the pool table is restricted on the night of the match. Any team wishing to post-pone a fixture for this reason must inform both the Chair and Results Secretary and the opposing team no less than 24hrs prior to the fixture. The committee and the 2 captains will then arrange to re-schedule the match to be played within 1 calendar month of the postponement date which may necessitate playing on a night other than a Thursday. The re-arranged match must be played before the last league fixture of the season.
  • If a funeral / function is being held in the home venue and it occurs in the first half of the season the Chair can review the fixture list and agree to reverse the fixtures rather than reschedule the match.
  • If both captains feel that a new date cannot be reached (and either team already has a game that needs to be played during the allocated ‘free weeks’ on the fixture list) they should notify the Chair ASAP. The Chair will call an emergency committee meeting and invite both captains to attend to discuss the situation. The committee will then be responsible for nominating a date (can be any day of the week) for the match to be played and both captains asked to sign up to. Once this date is agreed if a team does not show / can’t attend then an average win will be awarded to the opposing side.
  1. If a game has to be cancelled 24 hrs notice should be given to the other team (by Wednesday evening at the very latest). It is a realistic timescale for a captain to determine if he will have a team or not. The opposition Captain and the Chair should be notified.
  1. A team can legitimately cancel 2 games in the season for any reason but must be within the notice period as above (reasons could be: not enough players, birthday etc) (Clause 26). These games can be rescheduled.
  1. Other than the above no legitimate cancellations except if there is a bereavement or funeral in the home venue (as per rule 9). (Please note the committee may pop in to the specified venue to double check that reason is genuine). This game can be rescheduled.
  1. Games that are cancelled (even in the notice period) outside of the parameters outlined above will NOT be rescheduled. If a game is cancelled an average win will automatically be awarded to the other team. If that team has no wins then an automatic 5-0 will be awarded (as per the current constitution).
  1. When awarding an average win the team that cancelled will receive the appropriate frames against them e.g 6-0 average win awarded so offending team receives 0-6.
  1. If a team cancels 2 times during the season (not consecutively and the 2 does not include the legitimate cancellations as noted above) they will receive a warning from the committee. A further cancellation will result in automatic expulsion from the league. (Total of 4 cancellations over the entire season).
  1. All matches to be played according to the rules agreed by the committee at the Annual General Committee meeting prior to the start of the season.
  1. Home teams to pay for all games, refereeing to be alternate.
  1. Each match to be 6 singles and 3 doubles frames. For league matches 1 point will be awarded for each winning frame and an additional 3 points awarded to the winning team.
  1. Home team to relinquish the table by 7.50pm to allow the away team adequate practice time.
  1. All matches must start no later than 8.15pm. Any team not at the venue by that time will lose one frame and will lose a further frame for each 15-minute period thereafter until such time that the required winning score is reached at which point the match will not take place and the non-offending team will receive their average winning score plus the 3 winning match points. If a team arrives late and frames are conceded the non-offending captain will have the right to re-arrange his team selection on the match card.
  1. A minimum of 3 players from each team must be at the venue at the appropriate time in order for the match to commence. Once a match has started no unnecessary delays can be made to accommodate late players.
  1. Both captains must PRINT their team players names on the match card BEFORE the match starts. Each player will individually sign next to their name BEFORE the start of each frame. NO additions or amendments can be made once the match has started.
  1. If a dispute arises during a frame the referee and both captains must endeavour to reach a resolution agreeable to both teams. If agreement cannot be reached the frame in question must be suspended and the rest of the match must continue. The committee must be informed within 48hrs of the dispute. The dispute will be adjudicated on by the committee at an Emergency Committee meeting. All interested parties will be invited to attend and all evidence heard. The Emergency Committee meeting will then deliberate and make a final decision on any necessary action that needs to be taken.
  1. Both captains are responsible for informing the Results Secretary of the result by WhatsApp on the night of the match. This also applies to all competitions – singles, doubles, team knock-out and the captains cup. The results card / sheet must be completed and forwarded to the Chair / Secretary to arrive no later than 12noon on the Tuesday after the match. Cards / sheets to be hand delivered to Willesden Working Men’s Club where a signature book must be signed to verify delivery.
  1. In the event of any team withdrawing from ‘The League’ before completion of league matches the following the following will apply:
    • If the first half of league matches have not been completed all results for that team are void
    • If a team withdraws during the second half of the season than all results up to and including the halfway point of league matches stand. Any results for games played during the second half of the season will be void.
  1. When a team are awarded their ‘average winning score’ only league matches won by that team at the award date are used to calculate the average. Fractions will be rounded up. If a team has not won a league match at the award date they shall receive an automatic 5-0 win. They will also receive the additional 3 points allocated to a winning team. The offending team will receive a 0-5 result etc.
  1. The winner of each division will be the team with the most points. If a tie occurs the team with the greater amount of winning league matches will prevail. Should teams have the same points and the same number of winning matches, then matches played between the tied teams on a ‘head to head’ basis will decide. If all these criteria are the same then a ‘play-off’ off match of 6 singles and 3 doubles will be played at a neutral venue to decide the outcome.
  1. No perpetual trophy will be won outright.

Competitions: Singles, Doubles, Team Knock-out and Captains cup

  1. Only players entered on the official entry form are eligible to compete. Players will be excluded if the entry fee is not received by the advised date. Substitutions can be made at the committee’s discretion. Players must ensure they are free to play all rounds as stated on the fixture list.
  2. A player can enter as many of the competitions they see fit. Entry fees must be paid prior to the first draw.
  1. Only captains of league teams may enter the Captains Cup.
  1. Singles / Doubles Competition: Pubs can submit interest in hosting Singles / Doubles games however they must ensure they have a person available to take responsibility in running the games on the night. A draw meeting will be held, and players distributed to each venue (max 4) where rounds will be played until a single player remains. These players (max 4) will go on to play in the Semi-final round which is scheduled separately on the fixture list. The winners of the semi-final games will go on to play the final which is scheduled separately on the fixture list.
  2. All above competitions will be the best of 3 frames except for the semi-finals and finals which will be the best of 5 and 7 frames consecutively.
  3. For the semi-final and final rounds of the Singles and Doubles: the venue should provide an independent referee to ensure matches run smoothly and fairly.
  4. It has been agreed at the AGM meeting held on 15 September 2022 that a new rule will be trialed in the Team Knock-Out competition matches only:This rule is as specified: In the event of a foul, the player has the option to play the white ball from its current position on the table OR ask the referee to move the white ball to any position behind the baulk line. This is known as ball in hand. Please note if this occurs during a doubles match that once the player at the table makes the request ‘of ball in hand’ to the referee they have become ‘active’ and therefore no further discussions with their partner can take place.
  5. Matches must start by 8.15pm at the latest. The winner from each venue is responsible for informing the committee as per rule 21.
  6. If a team withdraws from the ‘The League’ any player(s) from that team still involved in the singles, doubles, captain’s competitions will be allowed to continue only at the discretion of the committee.

Penalties

Any team failing to fulfil any of its fixtures are liable to disciplinary action including being excluded from competition matches.

  1. Failing to fulfil a fixture without proper notification of postponement as outlined in the cancellation procedure above (rules 7,8,9) will result in in a loss being awarded. Further breaches will result in being referred to the committee and a warning will be issued. Further breaches will result in expulsion from the league.
  1. All teams must attend scheduled committee meetings. If a team is unrepresented for 3 meetings then that team will be awarded a 3-point deduction and notified of this action in writing.
  1. If a team cancels 2 games (excluding clause 24 & 25) they will receive a warning from the committee. A further cancellation may result in automatic expulsion from the league.