HANDICAP SHIELD COMPETITION RULES 2007-8
1) The competition shall be open to all League teams.
2) The entry fee and closing date shall be determined by the Management Committee, at the start of the season.
3) The competition will be arranged on a knock-out basis, with the winning team at each stage going into the draw for the next round.
4) The Handicap awarded will be on a team basis. It will be decided on a match by match basis by the Tournament Sub-Committee whose decision will be final and not subject to appeal. One team will receive zero points and their opponents will receive a point allowance (ranging from 0 to 320) according to assessed ability.
5) The result of each match will be decided by the points scored by each team, including the Handicap awarded. Most points gained will determine the winner. In the event of a tie, the match will be awarded to the away team (as shewn in the the draw). If the Final results in a tie, a further doubles rubber featuring different pairings will be played to find a winner. The Handicap for this extra rubber will be one tenth of the match allocation. If still level on points, a third set will be added to the eleventh rubber.
6) Specific weeks of the season have been allocated for the first three rounds of the competition. The first named team shall be the home team and matches should be played on the normal Home night as shewn in the League Handbook (no confirmation of the fixture is required). Hewever, matches may be played on another mutually agreed night within the week laid down by the Tournament Sub-Committee.
7) In the semi-final round, the Home team must offer at least two dates for the match giving reasonable notice to their opponents. Both matches must be completed, within the timescale laid down by the Tournament Sub-Committee (see the first round draw sheet for details).
8) Any team conceding a match must immediately inform the opponents' captain, their Club Secretary and the Tournament Organiser. Also, they may be liable to a £4 fine if so decided by the Tournament Sub-Committee.
9) All matches shall consist of nine rubbers of singles and one rubber of doubles. Each and every rubber shall be of two sets only. The winner of each set will be the player(s) who reach 21 points first. Order of play will be as for normal league matches, with the exception that the doubles must always be played as the last rubber of the match.
10) Players may only participate for one league team. To qualify for the competition they must have played in at least one ODTTA league match (not including any walkovers) and still qualify under ODTTA rules to play further league matches for that team. In exceptional circumstances these restrictions may be relaxed, subject to scrutiny and approval by the Tournament Sub-Committee; by allowing one substitute for a match. A permitted substitute may only be used once in this role. The handicap will be re-assessed, in the event of a nominated substitute being accepted.
11) A completed result card must be posted to the Tournament Organiser by the winning team, within 48hrs of the match being played. It must arrive by the Tuesday following the match. Non-compliance will result in a fine, as in League matches. Also, failure to send in a result card may lead to disqualification of the winning team.
12) All matches shall begin at 7.15pm prompt. Any player not present when nominated to play shall forfeit the rubber 21-0, 21-0. Teams arriving late may be fined £4.00. If they fail to arrive by 8.00pm the match shall be deemed to be forfeited by them. The opposing team must remain at the venue until 8.00pm, with a view to commencing the match. In the event of a team not shewing, the team not at fault must contact the organiser by e-mail or fax within forty-eight hours, to claim the match.
13) A shield will be presented to the winners of the Competition whose Club will retain it for one year. Also, personal mementoes will be presented to members of both teams contesting the Final.
14) The Tournament Sub-Committee will rule on any matters not covered by these Rules. Its decisions will be final and binding. All communications should be directed to the Tournament Organiser:-
Donald Harris
