Competitions - Corps Championship Rules
Season 2009-2010

Revised: 3 May 09

DESCRIPTION

1. The Competition shall be called the "The Army Rugby Union (ARU) VT Corps Rugby Union Championship," hereafter referred to as the VT Corps Comp. Participation in the VT Corps Comp shall be for the Corps of the Regular Army. The aim of the VT Corps Comp is to provide a stepping-stone for players towards the elite Army sides and provide a playing level above regimental for talented players.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

2. The Competition shall be organised under the direction of the Chairman of the Community Rugby whose decision shall be binding and final on any matter not provided for in these regulations.

3. The competition shall be administered by the Coordinator of the Corps Rugby, Maj (Ret'd) Taff Davey SPS MBE. kndavey@Hotmail.com or UAO@JSMTC.MOD.UK mobile 07779253158.

TABLE POSITIONS

4. The Championship will comprise two Leagues, one sitting above the other in seniority. Four points are awarded for a victory, two for a draw and zero for a loss. However, regardless of winning or losing, bonus points can also be awarded, either by losing by seven points or less in the final score line (one point) or a team scoring four or more tries in a match (one point). Where Table points are equal, position shall be determined by:

a. The greater difference in the aggregate member of points scored For and Against.
b. The greater aggregate number of points scored For.
c. The team which has won the greater number of Table matches.
d. The Winner of the match between the tied Corps.

Teams that forfeit a game will be deducted 2 points

PROMOTION / RELEGATION AND FINALS DAY

5. The top two placed sides at the end of the regular matches will play each other on a predetermined date each season in order to decide the winner of the Corp competition overall. On the same day, the Winner of table 2 will play off against the bottom placed of table 1 for a place in the higher table. Both the final and relegation match will be played at Aldershot in the Army stadium. A win for table 2 team will result in promotion. A draw will maintain the status quo. Should the table 1 team fail to accept the challenge on the agreed date, they will be relegated.

FIXTURES

6. The dates for matches will be circulated by the ARU in May each year. As a result of the agreed dates, the secretary Corps rugby will organise the fixtures on behalf of each Corps so that each season, teams swap home and away fixtures and move one team on in order of play. The fixtures will dictate the date and location of each match. In doing so, the secretaries of each Corps are to make final liaison with each other to confirm match details and specific location. Rescheduling may only take place with the agreement of the Chairman Community rugby. NO dispensation shall be given to Corps as a result of player unavailability.

ELIGIBILITY

7. The Championship is open to recognised Corps affiliated to the Army Rugby Union, for Season 2009 - 2010 these are:

8. Players are to be regular serving members of their Corps. Reservist / Territorial Army members may play as outlined under 2008DIN10-015. Teams fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit to their opponents any points won in the match concerned.

9. Secretaries of Corps are to nominate their playing squad of no more than 22 players by no latter than 30 mins before kick off, of which all 22 may take the field. Teams are only allowed to make seven (7) substitutions during the match. These lists are to be agreed upon by each secretary and team captain. Post match, copies of the team sheets with annotation of scores are to be e-mailed to the secretary of Corps Rugby within 24 hrs.

10. Teams in league 1 must start the match with at least two (2) other players that can play in the front row. These players may be a substitute or in the starting XV. If a series of injuries leads to a team being unable to field a front row, the fixture will continue with uncontested scrums and the result will stand. However, if a team feels that the opposition have feigned injury, in order to achieve uncontested scrums, and appeal can be made, seem para 23 onwards. Teams in league 2 must start the match with at least one (1) other player that can play in the front row. The player may be a substitute or in the starting XV. If a series of injuries leads to a team being unable to field a front row, the fixture will continue with uncontested scrums and the result will stand. However, if a team feels that the opposition have feigned injury, in order to achieve uncontested scrums, and appeal can be made, seem para 23 onwards.

UN-PLAYED, POSTPONED AND ABANDONED MATCHES

11. If a match is un-played on the first arranged date or abandoned within 60 minutes of playing time due to adverse weather conditions the match shall be rescheduled under the same arrangements on a date agreed by the relevant Corps, and the Coordinator CRCSC. If the match is abandoned after 60 minutes play then the score at the time of abandonment shall be deemed the final match score. The decision as to the time elapsed and the necessity to abandon shall be that of the Referee alone.

12. In the event of an abandoned match, the secretary of the home team shall provide to the secretary Corps rugby an e-mail containing a statement by the referee, the time of abandonment, the existing score and the reason for abandonment.

13. In the event of a match not being played because one Corps has failed to raise a team, the Chairman Community Rugby may award the points to the other side and will be a win of 24 - nil. This will mean bonus points will also be awarded.

14. In the event of a match not being played for whatever reason, whether or not competition points are awarded to a Corps under this regulation, if that Corps is a contender for promotion or relegation at the end of the season or a contender for table champions, the difference between the match points For and Against of all Corps (other than the offending Corps) in the Merit Table shall be adjusted to exclude all match points scored in matches played against the offending corps before establishing the final position of each Corps in the table in accordance with Regulations (3, 4, 5)

15. In the event of a Corps failing to fulfil its league fixtures for reasons unacceptable to the Committee, or if a Corps is suspended or expelled from the Competition, the results of all matches played by it shall be deleted.

KICK OFF AND DELAYED ARRIVALS

16. All matches will kick-off at 1400 hrs. Any variation to kick-off (e.g. for a flood light match) should be mutually agreed at least two weeks in advance of the match in which case the Secretary Corps Rugby and Secretary ARURS Senior Appointments must also be informed.

17. Any unreasonable delay must be reported to the Committee and may lead to the match being awarded to the non-offending Corps.

REPORTING OF RESULTS

18. The Secretary of the home Corps is to report the match result to the Secretary Corps Rugby by mobile phone text (07779253158) or military e-mail within 24 hrs.

REFEREES AND TOUCH JUDGES

19. The Secretary Corps Rugby will book and liaise with the secretary ARURS to make arrangements for all matches. Secretaries of individual Corps are to arrange final match details when they are contacted by the appointed referee. In the event of no Referee being appointed or the failure of the Referee to appear, the Senior Touch Judge shall automatically be appointed Referee under these Regulations. The home Corps shall provide a replacement touch judge if no independent official is available.

20. Touch Judges for matches appointed by ARURS may have additional powers in accordance with RFU Laws. Should ARURS Touch Judges not be available, Corps are responsible for providing their own Touch Judge for the match.

GROUNDS

21. When a late decision on the fitness of the ground for playing of a match is necessary, it shall be made by the respective captains of the Corps involved. If the captains are not able to agree, the decision shall be made by the appointed Referee. A late decision is one made within 3 hours of the scheduled kick-off time.

DISCIPLINARY POWERS

22. The Committee shall have the power to recommend to the ARU Council the expulsion of any Corps from the Competition or impose such other penalty as is considered appropriate to these regulations.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

23. Any complaint shall be notified to the Secretary Corps rugby, not the Coordinator CRCSC, by telephone within 48 hrs and thereafter submitted in writing under the signatures of the Chairman of the complaining Corps within a further 48 hrs. The complaining Corps shall at the same time also send a copy of such complaint in writing to the Chairman and Secretary of other party to the complaint.

24. If either the complaining Corps or the other party to any complaint, or the Corps against whom the complaint is made, requires a hearing, it shall be requested in writing and the Corps Secretary shall, in consultation with the Chairman, appoint a time, date and place for such a hearing normally within 14 days of receipt of the written request.

25. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Competition Committee may, within 7 days of receipt of their decision, appeal in writing to the Secretary ARU re-stating the grounds on which the original appeal was made. The Corps shall not be entitled to introduce any further grounds of objection not previously stated to the Committee, nor to loge a second objection arising from the circumstance on which the objection, is based.

26. The Secretary ARU shall on a playing matter refer the objection to the Director of Rugby (ARU) whose decision shall be final. On a Disciplinary matter, or other alleged irregularity, the Secretary ARU shall refer the complaint to the Chairman of Discipline.

27. Any party to an appeal under these Regulations shall provide such information or evidence and within such times as the Competition Committee or relevant Director ARU shall require. Should any party fail to provide such information or evidence within the time required the Competition Committee or Director as appropriate shall be entitled to refuse to hear that party when considering the appeal.

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