SILVER BALL COMPETITION RULES

SILVER BALL RULES

1, The competition will be run on a league basis, the top eight teams will go forward to the quarter finals. i.e., 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. If in the event of a tie for the top eight, the team with the highest number of tries will go forward, if this still results in a tie, then it will be decided by the team with the highest points difference.

All sponsorship and gate monies will be shared {after costs} on a percentage basis between the top “eight” clubs.

2, Clubs entering the competition must submit their fixture list to the Silver Ball Secretary by the 1^st Saturday in August.10 matches will then be selected {5 home, 5 away} at the discretion of the committee, matches will be played from the 1^st Saturday in September.

3, All matches “MUST” be completed by the 31^st January of that season, and it is imperative that in the event of a cancelled or rearranged matches the Silver Ball Secretary is contacted and made aware immediately, in the event of severe weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances the competition may be decided at lesser games.

4, Results to be “EMAILED” to the Silver Ball Secretary no later than the Thursday following the match. Silver ball fixtures will be emailed to all eligible clubs once selected.

5, Eligibility to participate: “PLAYERS” No player may represent a club in the competition Unless: -

(a). He is a registered or a dual registered member of that club.
(b). He is on loan to the club, or: -
(c). A permit has been granted for him to play by his parent club. (Up to 4 players maximum in any position).
(d). A player “MAY NOT” represent two different clubs in successive rounds of the competition, or if he has played on permit for another club in a previous round of the competition. Permitted players: - “4” permit players in any position from the Championship division {IF CLUB ELIGIBLE} down plus “2” dual registered players are allowed. “7” replacements shall be allowed from quarter finals to final, of which “3” Players eligilble to play front row.

6, In the quarter finals, semi finals and final if both teams are level on scores at full-time, winners will be declared in the following manner: -

(a). The club which has scored the greater number of tries.
(b). The club which has scored the greater number of goals “Converted tries”.
(c). If after (a) and (b) has been applied, and no clear winner has emerged in the quarter and semi-final matches, extra time of 20 minutes (ten minutes each way) will be played, the winners will be declared as in (a) and (b), if the result is still a tie the “AWAY” team will be declared the winners. (The home and away teams will be notified when the draw is made). In the “FINAL” if the result is a draw after all the above rules have been applied the teams shall share the trophy until the next season. First team to hold the trophy shall be decided alphabetically.

(d). In the latter stages of the competition i.e., quarter finals to final: - No club will be allowed to start the match with uncontested scrums, those forced to do so “DURING” the match and there are is “NO” front row forward replacements on the bench, the injured forward shall be removed “BUT NOT REPLACED” the match will proceed with uncontested scrums, each team will be required to have “8” players in each uncontested scrum.

7, Unlike the WRU and possibly District Competitions, The Silver Ball Competition is unable to use replays as an alternative to decide the winners, i.e. time factor and availability of grounds. Therefore, in the case of an abandoned match for whatever reason and at any time “THE RESULT WILL STAND” in the event of a draw at the time of abandonment: - refer to Rule 6 in part i.e., (a) the team which has scored the greater number of tries, (b) the team which has scored the greater number of goals (Converted tries) If after both have been applied and no clear winner. The “AWAY TEAM” shall be declared the winners.

8, Any club that withdraws after the quarter and semi final draw has taken place, could be suspended from entering The Silver Ball Competition for a period decided by the committee.

9, Appeals in writing, to be in the hands of the secretary, no later than “5” days after the match. No complaints, protests or appeals relating to the competition will be entertained after this date. The committee decisions will be final on all matters.

10, Failure to attend the presentation evening will result in the club forfeiting any cash awards due to them. In the event of no presentation evening, clubs will be notified how monetary awards will be paid out.

11, Part of the competition is “The Presidents Cup” this match to be played between “Silver Ball Winners” and the “Trophy winners”(most tries scored in the competition) this match to be played on a date and venue decided by the Glamorgan County committee, possibly in August of that season.

ADDENDUM TO SILVER BALL RULES

25^TH JULY 2024.

{1} THE WELSH RUGBY UNION FROM THE START OF SEASON 2024-25. HAVE INVITED 2^ND XV`S TO ENTER THE LEAGUE ALONGSIDE ALL OTHER W.R.U. CLUBS. THE COMMITTEE OF GLAMORGAN COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB HAVE AGREED THEY “SHALL NOT” BE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE SILVER BALL COMPETITION.THE REASON BEING IT COULD CAUSE CONFUSION AND EMBARRASSMENT IF THEY QUALIFY FOR QUARTER FINALS ALONGSIDE THEIR 1^ST XV. IT COULD ALSO BE OPEN TO ABUSE IN THE WAY OF UNFAIR TACTICS SWAPPING PLAYERS BETWEEN 1^ST & 2^ND XV`S. THEREFORE “ONE” TEAM FROM EACH AFFILIATED CLUB ONLY ALLOWED TO ENTER SILVER BALL COMPETITION.

{2} A QUESTION WAS ASKED WITH REGARDS TO THE PREMIERSHIP TEAMS BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SILVER BALL COMPETITION OWING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW “ELITE” COMPETITION, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THEY SHOULD “NOT” BE ALLOWED TO ENTER OWING TO THE FACT NUMEROUS PLAYERS COULD/WOULD BE FLOATING BETWEEN PREMIER AND ELITE TEAMS MAKING THEM SEMI OR FULLY PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS. WE AIM TO KEEP THE COMPETITION FOR COMMUNITY CLUBS ON “CORE GRANT” FINANCES FROM THE W.R.U.

HOWARD JONES

HON: SECRETARY/ TREASURER.