CHESHIRE COUNTY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Rules for Cup/Plate Competition: Mens: 2005-06

1. The competition will consist of TWO parts. Twelve clubs from those who enter, being those whose 1^st teams are placed highest in the league structure at the end of the previous season, will be eligible to play for the Cup. The remaining clubs will be eligible to play for the Plate.
2. Each competition will consist of a seeded first round, a quarter-final, semi-final and final. The Cup competition will be seeded so that the four highest placed clubs in order of league placings will each have a bye into the quarter-final. In the Plate, the seeding will be similar but the number of byes will depend upon the number of clubs that enter. Placing in the draw will be by random selection and the first named team will be the home team.
3. All games will be played on fixed dates during the season, with the proviso that clubs may play on an earlier date, but only by mutual agreement and with the prior agreement of the organiser. The final of both competitions will take place at the same, neutral venue on the same day.
4. Teams may consist only of bona fide members of the competing clubs.
5. Matches must be played on artificial pitches in natural daylight. Umpires will be provided by the North-West Hockey Umpires Association (NWHUA). Home teams must provide a match delegate (the organiser will arrange for match delegates for the finals). Home teams must contact their opponents and appointed umpires with match details by Monday evening of the week in which the match is to be played (i.e. at least 6 days in advance). In the event of a clash of colours, the away team is expected to change.
6. The entry fees required for the Plate are £25/team and the Cup £35/team.
7. Matches will be conducted according to the Rules of Hockey and will be 35 minutes each way. In the event of a draw at full-time, up to two periods of 15 minutes of extra time will be played with the first goal scored ending the extra time (‘golden goal’). If there is a draw after extra-time, a series of five pairs of penalty strokes will be played using different members of each team and, if necessary thereafter, a sudden death series of penalty strokes (again using different players) will decide the winner.
8. Before each match the home team will enter the names of players onto the match card. The away team will enter the names of their players onto the away team sheet. Both will be handed to the match delegate prior to the start of the match, who will complete details of goals scored, yellow or red cards awarded and the final score. The match card will be signed by the team captains, then by the umpires who will enter any comments in the space provided before handing it to the home team, for onward transmission to the organiser.
9. The home team must telephone the result within 30 minutes of completion of the match to 0151 632 2438. Home teams will also advise him of the date on which any postponed matches (or those played prior to the fixed date) are to be played.
10. In the case of any dispute about any aspect of the competition, the decision of Cheshire CHA committee is final and binding. The organiser, on behalf of Cheshire CHA, is David Billington (62 The Ridgeway, Meols, Wirral CH47 9SB. Tel: 0151 632 2438. Email: d.billington@livjm.ac.uk).