Sponsored by A2Z…Direct

1. The League shall be known as the Preston and District Snooker League and all clubs shall be situated within a ten mile radius of Preston.

2. The affairs of the League shall be governed by a Management Committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and at least three other members to be elected at the A.G.M. The said committee shall be empowered to deal with any matters arising which are not specifically provided for in the League Rules and to co-opt additional Committee Members if and when required. The Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary to be elected for a period of three years and these officials to be paid an honoraria in the amounts decided by the A.G.M.

3. The A.G.M., which is open to all registered players of member clubs, shall be held on or before the second Monday in June. Any clubs, desirous of bringing forward any proposal shall forward any such proposal in writing to the Secretary at least fourteen days before the A.G.M. and the Secretary shall include details of all such proposals so received by him in the Notice of Meeting and sent to all member clubs.

4. At the A.G.M. each team shall be entitled to one vote and the Chairman shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. When the voting involves the rescinding, adding to or altering of any rule, then at least two-thirds majority of the votes cast will be required for the motion to be carried.

5. All matches shall be played on Wednesday evening in accordance with the League fixtures as supplied to each club and are to commence no later than 7.30 pm except at those clubs with only one table. These shall commence at 7.15 pm. If at the starting time, one team has no player or players available, the opposing captain will claim one frame plus 100 aggregate points per table. A further frame or frames plus 100 aggregate points will be claimed every 15 minutes. When four frames have been claimed, the captain shall claim the match and shall receive an allocation of points based on the team’s average points won to date. If this occurs early in the season, then the average will be determined at the half-way stage of the season. Once the game has commenced, the games must be continuous.

6. Each team must register at least eight players to ensure that they can still complete their fixtures when individual players are unavailable. Any team found to have played an unregistered player will have all points won by the said unregistered player deducted from the match results.

7. If a team postpones a fixture for whatever reason, the team who didn't postpone will give their opponents three dates within 21 days of the cancelled fixture date. (No three dates in the same week and weekends by mutual consent). Should the fixture still not have been played after21 days then the team that postponed will LOSE 7 POINTS and the team that didn't postpone will get their average points either at the half way stage or if that has already passed, then at the end of the season

8. Each team shall consist of 6 players and 6 singles frames shall constitute a match. The following scoring system shall apply. 1 point awarded for each game won. 1 bonus point awarded to the team with the highest aggregate score at the end of 6 frames. In the event that the aggregate score is tied, the last two players at the table shall re-spot the Black ball and spin a coin to determine the striker. Teams failing to provide 6 players will be dealt with as follows: First offence: A written warning, Second offence: A fine of £20, Third offence: Expulsion from the League.

9. At the end of each season the bottom three teams of Divisions 1, 2, and 3 will be relegated and replaced by the top three teams of divisions 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The home captain shall inform the visiting captain of his first player, or first two players in the case of teams with two tables. On completion of the first game(s) the home captain will notify the away captain of the next player(s). This procedure is to continue until all six games have been completed.

10. In matches where two tables are used, players are prohibited from practicing on the first table to finish while waiting for the other table.

11. The home team shall provide a Referee and the away team shall provide a Marker. The English Association for Snooker and Billiards (EASB) Rules shall apply to all league and Cup games and the decision of the referee will be final.

12. Each team will appoint a Delegate/Internet Contact and it will be their responsibility to email a results card to Tony Beetham (Website Co-ordinator) at www.abeetham@virginmedia.com no later than Friday following the match in order to update our website at www.leaguesnooker.co.uk and to write up the report for the Lancashire Evening Post. Team Delegates without internet access must post the results card using a First Class Stamp no later than Thursday morning after the match.

13. All Team Delegates/Internet Contacts will receive league correspondence either at their home address or by e-mail and be responsible for circulating information (competition draws etc.) to their team mates. Any team submitting a scorecard after the Saturday following the match (12.00 noon) will be fined £1. It is the home team's responsibility to ensure that the scorecard reaches the Results Secretary, Tony Beetham by whatever method.

14. Team Registration Fees, (amount to be decided by the League Management Committee), shall be paid on the first Wednesday following the last league fixture at a venue to be advised, between 7.00 and 9.00pm. Late payment will incur a fixed penalty of £5 per team. Players’ registration fees of £10 per team shall be paid on the first Wednesday in September at a venue to be advised, between 7.00 and 9.00pm.. Additional players may be registered by telephone throughout the season at no extra cost and are eligible to play immediately.

15. Once a player has registered for a team, they may only apply for a transfer to a different team during the first half of the season. The Committee will decide if such transfer will be allowed after the 1st January.

16. The closing date for all competitions is 1st October and any applications received after this date will not be considered.

17. All perpetual trophies are the property of the League and shall be held by the winners for 12 months. The League shall provide seven trophies per team for winners and runners-up in each of the four divisions. The League shall also provide a Merit Trophy for the player recording the most wins in each of the divisions.

18. All matches to be played on full size tables using approved composition balls.

19 In the event of a tie in points for either Promotion or Relegation at the end of the season, the issue will be decided by Most Team Wins, then Player Wins, then Total Aggregate Points.

20. All member clubs will allow female players and supporters of visiting teams into their clubs on match nights and for cup competitions.

21. It is the responsibility of every Team Captain to retain a copy of the scorecard.

22. Clubs with two or more tables must make two tables per home team available on match nights.

23. All registered players must be at least sixteen years of age before the last fixture date of the season.

24. The League Management Committee reserves the right to discipline teams as they see fit where instances of abusive/obscene language or unruly/aggressive behaviour by either Players or Supporters are reported and confirmed to the satisfaction of the said Committee.

25. Trophies and Prize money will be presented immediately after the Final of the 6-Man Team, 3-Man Team, Pairs, Individual and Over 50s competitions. League Merit Trophies, High Break Trophies and Trophies for teams finishing first and second in all divisions will be made available for collection at a time, date and venue to be arranged by the committee.

25a. The Draw for all Knock-Out Competitions will be made in public at a place and time to be decided by the Committee. No further Draws will be made. e.g. winners of match one will play winners of match 2 etc. Where possible, a team winning at home will be drawn away in the next round. Where two teams/players are drawn together after the First Round and both have won their first round fixture at Home or Away then the lowest ranked team/player will be given the Home Draw. For rounds Three and subsequent, the team/player having won the most rounds Away will be given the Home Draw. Where results in previous rounds are identical for both teams/players then the lowest ranking team/player will be given the Home Draw.

26. Professional players as listed on the web site www.worldsnooker.com will be handicapped for league matches as follows: For First Division Fixtures, players listed in the top 97 will give 35 start increasing by an additional 7 points for each of the remaining divisions. Any player listed as having taken part in any PTC event will give 14 start increasing by an additional 7 points for each of the remaining divisions. Final placings as listed on the above website will be used as a reference after the conclusion of the World Snooker Championships held in April of each year.

27. The “Miss Rule” shall be applied throughout all divisions.

A “Miss” shall not be called where…

1) Either player needs snookers before or as a result of the stroke played.

2) The referee deems that a genuine attempt to make contact with the ball on has been made.

A “Miss” shall be called where…

1) The striker can see the whole or part of the ball on and fails to make contact.

2) The cue ball fails to reach the ball either directly or off one or more cushions.

3) The cue ball makes its first contact with a ball not on.

4) The referee deems that no genuine attempt to make contact with the ball on has been made.

In accordance with the above, the referee will apply the “Miss Rule” to the best of his/her ability and their decision will be final.

.28. The home team is responsible for ensuring that the match table(s) are brushed and ironed prior to the match.

29. The League Management Committee reserves the right to deal with anything not covered by and any infringements of the foregoing rules.

General Rules for Cup/Shield Competitions

1. Where applicable, the P&DSL League Rules will apply.

2. Only registered players from the Preston and District Snooker League may enter the Cup/Shield competitions.

3. The draws will be made by the Competition Organiser who will also allocate handicaps where applicable.

4. Handicaps for Professional and B Tour players will be included in the team handicaps.

5. The Handicapping Committee reserve the right to adjust any handicap after the first or second round of any handicap competition.

6. No player may play for more than one team in the same competition.

7. Any team found to have played an unregistered player will render that team to be scratched from the competition.

8. Player substitutions after the start of a competition will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. The Competitions Secretary must be given the opportunity to adjust Handicaps and inform both teams prior to the match being played. After any such substitution, the substituted player will not be allowed to return to the team.

9. All matches to be played in accordance with the rules of the English Association of Snooker and Billiards.

10. Home drawn player/team to be responsible for arranging the match and ensuring that the match tables are brushed and ironed.

11. Play to start at the agreed start time and to be continuous. In the event of a team not being present fifteen minutes after the agreed start time, the match will be awarded to their opponents.

12. Home drawn player/team to offer 3 dates to their opponent(s). No more than 2 dates in the same week and week-ends by mutual consent. In cases where a failure to arrange a match is reported, the League Management Committee will impose a date for the match to be played on.

13. The first player to break will be decided on the toss of a coin and will be alternate thereafter.

14. Cost of entry into all Cup/Shield competitions will be voluntary and cost £5 per entry, except in the case of the 6-Man Team where the entry fee is included in the Team Registration Fee.

15. Prize money will be as follows: Individual, Over 50s and Pairs, Winners £100 and Trophy, Runner-up £50 and Trophy, Third and Fourth £25. 3-man and 6-Man Team Competitions, winners £200 and Trophy, Runners-up £100 and Trophy, Third and Fourth £50

Individual Competition (Scratch) – Sponsored by Fulwood Bowling Club

1. All rounds to be best of three frames.

2. Semi-finals and final to be played at a venue and date to be advised by the Competition Organiser.

3. It is the responsibility of the winners to advise the Competition Organiser of the result. G.W.Jackson on 01772 336074

Individual Over 50s Competition (Scratch) – Sponsored by A2Z…Direct

1. Entrants must be at least 50 years of age on the 1st October of the current season.

2. All rounds to be best of three frames.

3. Semi-finals and final to be played at a venue and date to be advised by the Competition Organiser.

4. It is the responsibility of the winners to advise the Competition Organiser of the result. G.W.Jackson on 01772 336074

Pairs Competition (Handicap) – Sponsored by Fulwood Bowling Club

1. Each Pairs Team will consist of two players from the same club with no reserves.

2. All rounds to be best of three frames.

3. All rounds to be arranged by the home drawn team up to the semi finals and final which will be played at the Sponsor’s Club on a date to be advised by the Competition Organiser.

4. Play to start at 7.30pm and to be continuous. In the event of a team not being present by 7.45pm, the match will be awarded to their opponents.

5. It is the responsibility of the winners to advise the Competition Organiser of the result. Tony Beetham on 01772 723442 or email www.abeetham@virginmedia.com.

3 Man Team Competition (Handicap) – Sponsored Eccleston Institute

1. Each 3-Man Team will consist of three players plus up to two reserves.

2. All rounds to be aggregate score over three frames.

3. All rounds to be arranged by the home drawn team up to the semi finals and final which will be played at the Sponsor’s Club on a date to be advised by the Competition Organiser.

4. Home drawn team will nominate all players first except in the semi-final and final where it will be alternate.

5. If after the final frame the match is drawn, then the two players at the table shall play a re-spotted Black to decide the winners. Order of play to be decided by the toss of a coin.

6. It is the responsibility of the winners to advise the Competition Organiser of the result. Tony Beetham on 01772 723442 or email www.abeetham@virginmedia.com .

6 Man Team Competition (Handicap) – Sponsored by St.Bernards Club

1. Each 6-Man Team will consist of any six players from the squad of registered players for that team.

2. All rounds to be 6 frames aggregate score.

3. First two rounds to be played on dates as allocated in the Fixtures Handbook.

4. Subsequent rounds to be arranged by the home drawn team up to the semi finals and final which will be played at the Sponsor’s Club on dates to be advised by the Competition Organiser.

5. Home drawn team will nominate all players first except in the semi-final and final where it will be alternate.

6. If after the final frame the match is drawn, then the two players at the table shall play a re-spotted Black to decide the winners. Order of play to be decided by the toss of a coin.

7. First four frames to be played on two tables then the last two frames on one table except for one-table clubs, where play will be continuous on one table.

8. It is the responsibility of the winners to advise the Competition Organiser of the result. Tony Beetham on 01772 723442 or email www.abeetham@virginmedia.com.