Competitions
TEXAS RUGBY UNION COMPETITIONS
All league matches will be standard 80 minute matches.
League Schedule
The League Schedule is shown on the TRU website.
Scheduling of Matches
The Texas Rugby Union will do the scheduling of all league matches and the match schedule will indicate the date, opponent, and venue of all league matches.
Change in Match Schedule
By mutual agreement between the two clubs involved in any league match together with the approval of the Texas Rugby Union Competitions Director, a match may be rescheduled to a different date or venue. Any costs incurred in the change will be borne by the club requesting the change in date or venue.
Match Officials
All officials for all league matches will be assigned by the Referee Scheduler responsible for the area of the home club. Home clubs are required to contact all assigned officials using the procedures outlined on the TRU website. In the event the assigned referee is not available at the scheduled start of any league match, the procedures detailed in Law 6 A sub Sections 1 and 2 will apply. If Law 6A Section 1 is implemented due to the failure of the home club to properly notify and/or provide directions and times to the assigned official, the TRU may sanction the home club.
Match Cancellation
The TRU and the participating clubs in these leagues heavily rely on the matches taking place as scheduled. Home clubs are expected to make every effort to ensure their playing facilities are always available for scheduled matches. All clubs are strongly encouraged to have available back up playing facilities in the event their prime facilities are unavailable for unplanned reasons. However, there are situations, such as national emergencies, severe adverse weather conditions, acts of God, or other dire circumstances that require matches to be cancelled and rescheduled. Clubs that are required to cancel scheduled matches due to these circumstances may request that a match be cancelled and rescheduled to another date- mutually convenient to both the involved clubs and assigned match officials. The TRU will have sole discretion in granting these cancellations/reschedule requests. In the event of an unplayed forfeit, the forfeiting team will be required to play their next league game against the club, receiving the forfeit, at the home pitch of said club and this will carry-over into the next season, where required plus a minimum fine of $100.
Match Reporting
The referee will submit the score to the TRU Website no later than 48 hours after the conclusion of the match and will complete all sections of the match report.
Player Eligibility
All players must be currently enrolled with their club, in accordance with USA Rugby eligibility regulations, before playing in any league match. Players must meet all requirements for eligibility as set forth in the USA Rugby Eligibility Rules [ http://www.usarugby.org/information. ] Player transfers during the competitive season are generally not allowed and all transfers must meet the timing and procedures as outlined in the aforementioned rules. All players are required to be CIPP registered prior to any match.
Match Kick-off Time
All league matches are scheduled to kick off at 2:00 PM. Those clubs with teams competing in more than one division may schedule their matches at different times. Both teams are required to be ready to play at the assigned time. All matches must begin at the pre-proscribed time. Failure to begin within ten minutes of the scheduled time will subject the offending club to fines (see below). A default occurs when a club is not ready to play within thirty minutes of the scheduled kick off. A defaulting club will be fined heavily and may be subject to further sanctions. In the event of a default, the non-offending club will be awarded a win by the score of 28 to 0 in their favor.
CIPP Match Day Procedures
Clubs are required to follow the procedures outlined on the TRU Website under TRU CIPP Procedures.
Playing Fields
Home clubs are responsible for securing a suitable venue for playing league matches. Size requirements are noted in the laws of the game. The home club is responsible for marking the field in accordance with the requirements detailed in the laws of the game. The home team is also required to provide field flags, goal post pads, and a 5 meter crowd control barrier (on both sides of the field) that meet the requirements as noted in the laws of the game and other regulations. Clubs are strongly encouraged to consult the latest version of the USA Rugby Handbook and Laws of the Game, as well as the current version of Game Management Guidelines for applicable laws/procedure/comment on field conditions and requirements.
Playing Kit
Current regulations adopted by USA Rugby must be followed in every league match. Before kickoff, visiting clubs may log a complaint with the referee as to conflicting colors of kit. If the referee agrees with the complaint, the home club will be required to change kit to one that is not in conflict. If the referee disallows the complaint, the visiting team is entitled to play the match under protest. The visiting team has 72 hours to file a written complaint with the TRU Director of Competitions who will rule on the protest within five days.
League Standings
Standings within the league will be based on the competition-points system outlined below.
Win 4 points
Tie 2 points
Loss by less than 8 points 1 bonus point
Loss by 8 or more points 0 points
Scoring four or more tries in a match 1 bonus point
Forfeits will be recorded as a 28-0 score
In the event of a tie in the number of competition-points earned during the league season, the following tie breaker rules will apply:
1. The results of head-to-head match or matches between the tied clubs.
2. The cumulative point differential in all league matches.
3. The ratio of points-for to points-against for all league matches.
Championship Playoffs
In matches that require resolution, except sevens and high school events, the following tie-breaking will occur after full time:
i. a five minute rest period, then
ii. a ten minute period (coin toss for KO or receive), then
iii. a two minute rest period, then
iv. a ten minute period (reverse KO of first overtime), then if still tied
v. a two minute rest period, then
vi. a sudden death period not to exceed 15 minutes (with a new coin toss) to determine KO or receive, then if no score
vii. a two minute rest period, then
viii. a sudden death period not to exceed 15 minutes. If still no score continue 15 minute sudden death periods until a score occurs.
Oct 2008