1. Matches will be played on Thursday evenings on dates and times given at the start of the season. The league secretary should be advised at least 7 days in advance of any deviation from the fixture card (i.e. Times and Venue, unless mutually agreed by both Team Captains. Note: Only on exceptional circumstances will the league secretary grant permission to play matches on any other day. No phone call is necessary to confirm a fixture.
  2. The Home team is responsible for providing sufficient court time (a minimum of 4 hours is required) to complete a match. Any unfinished ties/ties will be awarded to the away team, (e.g. if the score is 2-2 and the fifth tie is at 2-1 for the home player when no more court time is available then the way team will win the tie 3 games to 2, and the match by 3 ties to 2. (see Rule 15 and 16).
  3. A club must register all players at least 7 days before their first league match. (this does not apply to the league cup).
  4. A club must register all teams at least 7 days before their first league match
  5. Teams may register new players throughout the season provided that communication is made with the league secretary within 7 days of first playing.
  6. Players must be "Bona-fide" members of the affiliated club
  7. When a club has 2 teams in the same division of the league, no movement will be allowed from one to the other
  8. When a club has one team in each division of the league , a registered player from "B" will become an "A" player if he plays 4 games for the higher team. A registered player for "A" cannot play for team "B" unless that player has not played in the last consecutive matches for team "A"  this will result in a "PENALTY MATCH FORFEIT".
  9. Where a team has access to players from a "Higher Division" (East of Scotland League) then they may only play for one team in any season. Only one such player can be brought in any one night. (These players must satisfy rules 5 & 6).
  10. Any player wishing to transfer to another club and continue to play in the league, must put in a written application to the league secretary and his/her case will be considered by the League sub-committee. No Player may represent a club other than the one he registered with unless sanctioned by the league sub-committee in writing
  11. A team will consists of 5 players. The team playing order as recorded on the results card must be in order of merit. The team playing order must be exchanged between captains prior to the match commencing and then they should have them entered on the official scorecard. The home team must record its order of play on the results card first.
  12. The home team captain is entirely responsible fort he organization in a home match. The home side must provide reasonable refreshments and a bite to eat (2 rounds).
  13. When a team is reduced to less than five players then every effort must be made to inform the opposition Captain as early as possible
  14. A team canceling a fixture within 3 days or failure to turn up on the evening will forfeit the match 18-0 and will be liable to a fine of £20.00 to cover any court costs incurred by the late cancellation. Should a team have two such cancellations in the same season they may be suspended from the competition. Teams wishing to claim a match made under these circumstances must put their case in writing to the league secretary.
  15. If a team has not at least 3 players present and ready to start at the scheduled start of the match, the team shall be scratched and their opponents awarded the points. The score will be recorded as 18-0 for the other team. The recommended order of play is 5th,4th,3rd,2nd and 1st string. However the order of play may be varied at the discretion of the team captains. In the event of hall time expiring Rule 2 will be enforced.
  16. If a player fails to appear within 60 minutes of the scheduled start of the match he/she will be deemed to have played at number five and lost 3-0. Players Playing at positions below the absent string , who have already started their ties are therefore unable to move up the order, will also be deemed to have lost their tie 3-0.
  17. Every match in the league must be marked competently The home team is responsible for supplying markers for three ties - the visiting team for two ties.
  18. A disciplinary code of conduct has been established and any player guilty of irresponsible behavior may be asked to appear before a league disciplinary sub-committee. Captains are encouraged to report bad behavior or any incidents which they feel have brought the game into disrepute.
  19. Matches will consist of five ties, each the best of 5 games.
  20. One point will be awarded for each game won by a team. The team winning the overall match will be awarded three bonus points.
  21. Rules of play shall be laid down by the SSA and new Dunlop Black XX Yellow Dot balls will be used on all occasions , unless otherwise agreed by both captains.
  22. The captain of the winning team must post the result card so that it arrives by the Tuesday morning after the Thursday morning. (This rule will be reviewed pending website usage).
  23. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the leagues. Team members will receive appropriate prizes.
  24. The top 2 teams in the lower division of the league will; be promoted to the division immediately above. The bottom two teams in any division of the league will be relegated to the league below.
  25. Any disputes must be put in writing and posted to the League Secretary. They will be discussed by the League sub-committee and a written reply given.
  26. It is the clubs responsibility to ensure that all its members a conversant with the league rules which should be circulated to all team captains.

[Back to Top]