Format and rules of the tournament:

· 8 Teams will be invited to play

· The teams will be separated into two leagues of 4 teams, where each team will play each other once. Therefore ensuring that each team will play a minimum of 3 matches.

· There will be 8 players per team. Clubs are welcome to bring squads of more than 8 players and rotate their team selection.

· All matches will consist of 14 overs, 7 overs per team.

· All players, except the wicket-keepers will bowl one over per match

· In the league matches no player shall bat in the same position more than once. Opening the batting shall be deemed as the same position. Teams can name any batting order for the semi-finals, third and fourth play-off match and for the final.

· No player can field within 11 yards from the striking batsman, except when the player is fielding in the slip area.

· The length of the two pitches will be 17 yards.

· Wides and no balls count as 2 runs with no extra ball, additional runs can be gained on top of the 2 runs awarded for the wide or no ball. In the final over of each innings the normal laws of cricket shall prevail.

· In all matches a batsman will retire upon scoring 25 runs; however the player can resume his innings at the fall of the last wicket. If a batsman is involved in the last pair and reaches 25 runs he may continue batting until the innings is closed.

· The innings will be deemed closed at the fall of the 7th wicket

· Any team batting second shall continue to bat out their full number of overs even if they have surpassed the team batting first’s total. Or until they have been bowled out.

· Points: 3 points will be awarded for a win, 2 points for a tie and 1 point for a loss.

· The top two teams from each league will progress to the semi-final stage, whereupon the winner from league A will play the runner-up from league B and vice – versa.

· If after the league matches have been completed two or more teams have gained the same number of points, the league positions will be determined by firstly, the number of runs scored or then by the number of wickets taken. If still unresolved, the teams involved shall have a bowl-out.

· Bowl-Outs: Each team member excluding the wicket-keeper shall bowl three consecutive balls at a set of unmanned stumps. No balls and wides shall be counted as a ball bowled and not retaken, any hits from no balls shall not be recorded. The team with the most hits recorded by the umpires shall be deemed the winners. If the number of hits are equal after both teams have completed their allocated deliveries, a sudden death system shall be introduced.

· The winning teams from the two semi-finals shall play in the final and the losing teams shall play-off for the 3rd place.

· If matches are tied in the semi-finals, 3rd and 4th play-off match or the final, a bowl-out will commence.

· Trophy and Medals: The tournament winners shall be awarded the trophy 15 mins. After both matches have been completed. 10 medals per team will be awarded to winning, runners-up and third placed teams.

· Professional Umpires will officiate each match played.

· Each team is asked to provide a match manager and a scorer.

· After each match is completed, score sheets should be delivered to the tournament scorer, who will be in the pavilion.

· The competition shall start at 10.00am Match managers are asked to report to the competition organiser Duncan Pauline in the pavilion at 9.30am to receive their fixture lists, score sheets and lunch tickets.

· Costs: To cover the cost of the umpires, trophy and medals, match balls, umpires lunches, pitch preparation and administration. All teams are asked to pay £85.00 per team.

· The club bar and kitchen will be open throughout the day, serving breakfasts and bacon rolls in the morning from 9.00am and Thai Food (served in Bento Boxes) from 12.30.

· A set price Players BBQ lunch, consisting of a good quality 6oz Beef or Chicken burger with sesame seed bun, French fries and garnish of salad and a can of coca-cola or fanta orange, for £5.00 This can be ordered and paid for in advance with the application form, or ordered and paid to the kitchen by 10.30 on the match day.

· All matches to be played with a Youth Cricket Ball

Team overview

Team Sponsors