North Wales Cup 2016/17
N.B. Please make sure that all that FREE SWALEC Cup Saturdays are fixture free to play NW Cup matches.
There will be three competitions: (There is no Intermediate Plate this year)
- The North Wales Senior Cup
- The North Wales Senior Plate
- The North Wales Intermediate
A) The Senior Cup – to comprise of the 11 Division 1 North clubs (season 2016/17) who have entered the competition.
Bethesda, Caernarfon, Bro Ffestiniog, Nant Conwy, Pwllheli, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, COBRA, Abergele, Bala, Ruthin .
1st Round Matches of the Senior Cup- to be completed on or before 26th November 2016
(Date of the fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC by 29th October, 2016. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date - this should be undertaken by 15th October at the latest.)
Quarter Finals- Senior Cup and Plate to be completed on or before 18th March 2017. The draw will take place after 26th November 2016.
(Date of the fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC by 31st December, 2016. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date - this should be undertaken by 14th December at the latest.)
Semi Finals – Senior Cup and Plate to be completed ON Saturday 22th April 2017. The draw will take place after 18th March 2017
(Fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC by 8th April, 2017. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date- this should be undertaken by 25th March at the latest.)
Senior Cup and Plate Finals
To be played at Parc Eirias weekend of 13th and 14th May, 2017
B) The Intermediate Cup – To comprise of the 15 Div 2East and Div 2West clubs (Season 2016-17) who have entered the competition.
(Harlech, Menai Br, Llangefni, Bangor, Dolgellau, Rhyl, Shotton, Denbigh, Newtown, Wrexham, Rhos, Flint, Llanidloes, Llangollen and Welshpool)
Preliminary Round Matches of the Intermediate Cup- to be completed on or before 10th December 2016
(Date of the fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC ASAP as some ties can be played on 17th September, 2016. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date - this should be undertaken in early September.)
Quarter Finals- Intermediate Cup to be completed on or before 25th February 2017. The draw will take place after 10th December 2016
(Date of the fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC by 28th January 2016. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date - this should be undertaken by 14th January at the latest.)
Semi Finals – Intermediate Cup (to be completed on or by Saturday 1st April 2017) The draw for the Cup will take place after 25th February 2017.
(Date of the fixtures to be confirmed by email to the NWGC by 11th March, 2017. It is the responsibility of the home team to make the initial communication to organise the date- this should be undertaken by 4th March at the latest.)
Final of the Intermediate Cup
To be played at Parc Eirias-weekend of 13th and 14th May, 2017
1) Eligibility:
a) All Clubs that are members of the NWRU council.
b) Only BONAFIDE players registered with their Club and the WRU may participate. Players that are registered with any other National Union are NOT eligible.
c) Permit players are not allowed (NB See e paragraph 2 below)
d) RGC Core squad players will not be allowed play in these competitions.
e) Permit or loan players who are registered with RGC and are not current Core Squad players of RGC (a list available on request) will be permitted to play for their Club of Origin in all rounds of this Cup Competition.
However, the NWRC ‘Game’ Committee will consider applications to play a suitably registered front row player(s) on loan or on permit in the Semi Finals and the Final; applications should only be made in exceptional circumstances.
f) Cup tied players may not play for their new Club in the next scheduled round.
g) Team lists inclusive of the names of replacements MUST be handed to the Match Referee at least 20 minutes prior to kick off, these sheets to be returned to the NWRU Council Secretary by the match referee within 3 days of the match being played, indicating which replacements played and the final score.
h) In the early rounds, i.e. pre semi final stage, teams will be allowed a maximum of 20 players, 5 of which must be suitably trained and experienced front row players
i) In the Semi final and Final, a maximum of 22 will be allowed, 5 of which must be suitably trained and experienced front row players.
j) A Club may play without any named replacements. If a Club
names 15 players only, there is no need to name more than three suitably trained and experienced front row players
k) When 16,17, or 18 players are named in a team, there must be at least four suitably trained and experienced front row players
l) When 19 players are named in a team, there must be at least five suitably trained and experienced front row players
m) Any clubs violating the eligibility rules shall be disqualified.
2) Dates of Rounds:
a) All matches to be played on the STIPULATED dates assigned by the NWGC (North Wales 'Game' Committee).
b) The NWGC will review fixtures which were not completed with the possibility of any offending club being barred from entry to the competition for 1 year and a loss of their commitment bond.
3) Organisation:
a) Apart from for the Finals, all match requirements will be the responsibility of the Home Club.
b) Gate receipts (and all other arrangements i.e. match programme, refreshments for players and visiting officials) are the responsibility of the Home Club.
c) The North Wales Rugby Council Executive committee will decide upon the venue of the finals and will negotiate all financial agreements and general organisation of the finals.
4) Officials:
a) Referees:
Up to and including the Semi Finals, to be appointed by the WRU or The Regional Appointments Officer upon request by the Home Club. The NWRC to arrange for the finals.
b) Touch Judges:
The responsibility of the competing Clubs up to and including the Semi Finals. The NWRC to arrange for the finals.
5) Declaration of Winners:
1. The Team, which has scored the greater number of points.
2. In the event of an equal number of points being scored, the following criteria will apply: -
a. The Team that has scored the greater number of tries.
b. The Team that has scored the greater number of goals (converted tries).
c. If no clear Winner has emerged at stage b, then 20 minutes of extra time will be played, ten minutes each way. If still no clear winner, the team playing away from home will be declared the winners. Should the game be played at a neutral venue other than in the Final, the Match Referee will decide by the toss of a coin.
d. In the Final, if at the end of extra time there is no clear winner, the result will be declared a draw, and each Club will hold the Cup for 6 months.
3. Abandoned games:
a) Providing that both teams agree the result shall stand. No time element exists. Otherwise the game shall be replayed at a date set by the Cup committee.
b) Protests and Disputes: Complaints, protests or appeals arising out of the playing of games in the Competition must be made in writing and received by the NWRU Secretary within 4 days of the match being played together with a Cheque for £50, which may or may not be returned.
8) North Wales 'Game' Committee
The North Wales 'Game' Committee (NWGC) shall have absolute discretion in dealing with any matters relating to this Competition, whether or not provided for herein, and their decision shall be final.