The Three Shires
Pétanque League

MATCH RULES

The THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE shall abide by the rules of the game of pétanque as adopted by the British Pétanque Association on the 1st of January 1985 and subsequently by the British Pétanque Federation BPF / English Pétanque Association EPA and by the Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provencal (F.I.P.J.P) at Rotterdam, September 1984. (amended at Grenoble on 3rd October 2002) Subject to the modifications and additions set out below.

Any dispute regarding interpretation of these rules must be referred to the Competition Committee in the first instance, with the right of appeal to the Management Committee.

The following rules apply to the Summer League Competition. Rules pertaining to the Winter League, League Cup Competition, Club Triples Doubles Singles Competition and Open Doubles and Triples Competition are at Annexes A to D attached.

RULE 1 - LEAGUE FIXTURES:
1.1. The League fixture list will be drawn up on a weekly basis for the season. Matches must be played during the specified week (the week being from Monday to the following Sunday).

1.2. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis.

1.3. Matches will be played on the nominated "HOME" match night (all teams to notify the Competition Secretary of their "HOME" match nights). The nominated nights to be published annually with the List of Divisions.

1.4. POSTPONEMENTS
Where a Club cannot play on a particular match night, they are required to contact their Divisional Organiser to obtain a postponement number which will be given to both teams. A postponement number will only be given in extreme circumstances. Being short of one player or not having your strongest team will not do. Teams playing in more than one League are required to check their fixtures lists at the beginning of the season for clashes and to rearrange these matches by reversing the fixtures where necessary. The Divisional Organiser must be notified of matches rearranged in this way. Any teams not following this procedure will have their match null and voided. The match must be replayed as soon as possible after the postponement noting that this need not necessarily be on a "home night" but on a night that mutually suits both teams. Failure to set a date to play a postponed match by the cut off date for the League season and to notify the Divisional Organiser of the new date prior to the cut off date, will result in a fixture date being set by the Competition Committee. Any team failing to play on the date fixed by the Competition Committee will forfeit the game and their opponents will be awarded the match only but no game points. The cut off date for the League Season shall be the 15th October. Any outstanding games will then be null and void.

1.5. NOTE: It may be advantageous, and certainly is in the spirit of the game, to play a match with fewer than 6 players.

RULE 2 - MATCH COMPOSITION:
2.1. Each League match will consist of FIVE games:

TWO games of Triples, each player to throw only 2 boules.

THREE games of Doubles, each player to throw only 3 boules.

NOTE: The number of boules each player may throw still applies even if a team has to play with players short.

2.2. The Triples games will normally be played first unless altered on the night with the agreement of both Captains. All games are played to THIRTEEN points.

RULE 3 - BOULES:
3.1. All Clubs and players will play with Authorised Match Boules approved by the F.I.P.J.P. unless it is their first season when unofficial -DOG- Boules will be permitted provided that they are commercially available steel or steel alloy -DOG- Boules. The use of unofficial -DOG- Boules will not be permitted by any player who registered and played with a Club in a previous season or by any Club who have played in The League for more than one season.

3.2. Any persons playing with -DOG- Boules do so at their own risk. All players are strongly advised to use Authorised Match Boules.

RULE 4 - BEFORE START OF PLAY:
4.1. Before the match starts, the HOME team must explain any local rules regarding boundaries, trees etc and advise the AWAY team of Piste numbers. The HOME Captain will advise the AWAY Captain which piste(s) the Triples/Doubles games will be played. They must also provide the Match Report Form to record all details of the Match before the start of play.

4.2. The full names of the sets of players to represent each team in the doubles and triples games must be entered legibly on the Match Report Form. Team Captains are responsible for ensuring that all named players are registered members of their Clubs.

4.3. The opposing sets of players to form each game will then be drawn "out of a hat" and play can start.

RULE 5 - SCORING:
5.1. The HOME team shall provide scoreboards such that the score of each match being played can be seen clearly at the opposite end of the piste(s).

5.2. The winning team will be awarded a Match Score of TWO points. The scores will be recorded on the Match Report Form to show:-

a. The Match Score.

b. The number of games won by each team.

c. The points difference scored by each team.

5.3. The winning team is to send the completed Match Report Form to their Divisional Organiser within three days of the fixture date. If the Divisional Organiser does not receive the Match Report Form within 7 days of the match date, the winning team shall forfeit one Match Point. If the match result form is retained by the losing team and not sent in within three days, they shall forfeit one match point.

5.4. The League positions will be determined by the Match points scored by each team. In the event of a tie, the number of games won by each team will determine the position. If a tie still exists the position will then be determined by the points difference of each team.

RULE 6 - NUMBER OF PLAYERS:
6.1. At any one fixture, each team shall have a minimum of SIX players (but see also the NOTE at RULE 1) and a maximum of TWELVE players. A player may not play more than ONE game of doubles and triples.

RULE 7 - TIME OF MATCHES:
7.1. Both teams shall be at the match venue by 19.30 hrs. All players available shall start playing by 19.45 hrs, following Rules 2 and 6.

7.2. If, by mutual agreement, a match has to be played during the daytime, a starting time shall be agreed. Play shall then start within 15 minutes of this agreed time as above.

7.3. Players arriving late may join the game at the completion of the end in play.

RULE 8 - PENALTIES FOR LATE START OF PLAY:
8.1. If the start of a game is delayed because a team has no players available, the team will be penalised by 2 points in that game for every 5 minutes delay (or part thereof) so caused.

8.2. If the team still has no players available after 35 minutes, they will have lost the game 13 - 0 and the Match Report Form will be so marked. The next game will then start after a delay of 10 minutes (i.e. at 20.30 hrs if an evening game). If players are still not available to satisfy Rules 2 and 6, then the same penalties shall be applied.

RULE 9 - FORCE MAJEURE:
9.1. In the event that the team Captains agree that "Force Majeure" prevents the completion of a match, it shall be reconvened at a mutually agreed later time and/or date.

9.2. If the match is re-convened at a later time on the same day, the scores of all games completed or uncompleted will stand and the uncompleted games continue from the score at the time that they were stopped.

9.3. If the match is reconvened at a later date the scores for the completed games will stand but uncompleted games will be restarted. The players involved in the original match shall, wherever possible, be used in the reconvened match.

RULE 10 - UMPIRING:
10.1. Arbitration in any one game may be delegated to any player not involved in that game.

10.2. The HOME team is to ensure that suitable measuring equipment is available if arbitration is requested.

League Name Changed
January 2003

Rules Amended Re Divisional Organisers
& Postponements
January 1st 2004

Para 1 amended to include British Pétanque Federation (BPF) and English Pétanque Association (EPA)
February 10th 2005.

John Deaville - Competition Secretary Three Shires Pétanque League
Ratified on:

Annexe A: The Match Rules of the Winter League

1. The League shall be known as the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE.

2. The Competition Committee of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE will operate the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE.

3. An entry fee of £6 per team must be paid before the season commences. Cheques should be made payable to: Three Shires Petanque League and sent to
'Neil Stevenson - Treasurer'
18 Millard Way
Hitchin
SG40QE

4. Entries for teams wishing to participate in the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE will be made at the AGM of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE held in November of each year.

5. Trophies will be awarded at the Dinner & Dance & Presentation Night number of trophies to be awarded will be decided each season and will be dependent on the number of teams entering the competition.

6. The Winter League will be organised as a number of smaller leagues. The number of teams entered and traveling distances involved will govern the compilation of the leagues.

7. The Competition Committee shall draw the teams, venues and match dates for each League. Each team shall be notified of the venues, dates and fixtures before the Winter League commences. All matches shall be played at the designated venue on the designated date. A team unable to play on a designated date will be deemed to have given that match away.

8. Teams failing to play a match at the designated venue on the appropriate date will have their result null and void for the purposes of the League tables.

9. All matches will be played between November and April on Sunday mornings. Play WILL commence at 11.30 am.

10. Each match will consist of two triples games played to 13 points each game. The team to start first in the opening game will be decided by the toss of a coin. The other team will start the second game.

11. Two points will be awarded for a win, one for a draw. The final positions in each league will be determined by:
11.1 Match points

11.2 Games Won & Lost

11.3 Game points difference

12. The finals will be played at a venue on a date set by the Competition Committee THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE. The format of the finals will be fixed each year depending on the number of teams.

13. A minimum of three players are required to form a team. Reserves are permitted and the whole team of 3 players may be replaced in the second g+ame provided that the opposing team is informed of such a change prior to the first game. Additional players may be registered as the season progresses.

14. Players for the Winter League competition must be registered with the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Competition Secretary prior to the commencement of play. Once registered with one team, players cannot play for any other team during the Winter League season. Prior to the start of the matches, all players for those matches must be entered on the Score sheet. Only these players may play in 1he match.

15. Players registered for a team expelled from the League may not re-register for another team.

16. There will be no postponements.

17. If, in the opinion of the Competition Committee, two teams colluded to affect the league table positions, then punitive action will be taken.

18. Rules 3, 4 and 8 of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the Winter League Match Rules.

League Name Changed and Rules Amended
February 5th 2003

Clauses 7 & 8 amended re:
Postponements and Designated Venues
February 2005

John Deaville - Competition Secretary Three Shires Pétanque League

Ratified on:

Annexe B: The League Cup Rules

1. All Clubs in the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE will play in the League Cup Competition during the summer season. The League Cup shall consist of both a Main and Plate Competition. Should it be necessary a preliminary round will be played to determine the first round proper. The losers in the first round will then go into the plate along with the losers of the preliminary round. If necessary another prelim round will be played to determine the second round of the plate. The competition will then proceed as a straight KO along with the main.

2. The format will comprise a list of teams drawn from the hat. The first name in each pairing will be the HOME team.

3. The HOME team is the top team in the box on the draw sheet and the match will be played on their home night on the week designated on the draw sheet. All rounds will now have a designated week. The HOME team out of common courtesy may wish to contact the AWAY team to confirm the match and likewise the AWAY team may wish to confirm it with the HOME team. It is imperative that both teams arrange to play within the deadline date indicated in the draw. It is the responsibility of both teams to notify the Competition Secretary if they are unable to play on the designated date - whereupon the Competition Committee will decide the date on which it must be played. Failure to play on this date will result in the match being awearded to the team not at fault for this failure.

4. Results are to be notified to the Competition Secretary by phone, fax or email the following day.

5. Any Semi Finalist team unable to turn up on Finals Day having given prior notification to the Competition Secretary will forfeit that position and their place in the final will be awarded to the team that they knocked out, or the team that may have conceded the Semi Final to them. Any team just not turning up on finals day will forfeit their right to enter next year's competition. This applies to both the Main and Plate Competitions. The finals day date is known a year in advance and teams must bear this in mind. The date always being the second or third Sunday in October or as published on the Chiltern Region Calendar.

6. Rules 3 (Boules), 4 (Start of Play) and 8 (Penalties for Late Start) of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the League Cup Competition.

Notes:
a) Rule 1 amended to include the Plate Competition.
b) Rule 5 amended to penalise defaulters in the finals.
c) Rule 3 amended to include designated rounds and date on which it must be played/Failure to play
2nd March 2005

League Name Changed and Rules Amended
February 5th 2003

John Deaville- Competition Secretary Three Shires Pétanque League
Ratified on:

Annexe C: The Club 321 KO Rules

1. The THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Triples, Doubles & Singles (321) KO competition will be played during the summer season and will now be combined in to a team event consisting of three constituent parts, Triples, Doubles and Singles, to be played at the same venue on the same evening.

2. A club can enter one or more teams of three people and will play a TRIPLES game followed by DOUBLES & SINGLES games played concurrently. Reserves may be used in the event of team members being unavailable because of holidays etc.

3. All matches will be played during the summer season within the period announced on the draw sheet issued by the Competition Secretary.

4. The format will comprise of teams drawn from the hat. The first name in each pairing will be the HOME team.

5. The HOME team will be reponsible for contacting the AWAY team to confirm that they are available to play on the week published on the draw sheet, within one week of receipt of notification of each round of the competition. It is imperative that both teams arrange to play within the deadline date indicated in the draw. Assuming the draw is received in time, it is permissable to play the match before the published week, for convenience, but not afterwards. It is the responsibilty of both teams to notify the Competition Secretary if they are unable to play on or before the specified date whereupon the Competition Committee will decide the date on which it must be played. Failure to play it on this date by either team will result in the match being awarded to the team not at fault for this failure.

6. On arrival at The Home Teams venue and before any play commences, the Captains of the teams will do a draw to see who is going to play in the Singles games. The Triples match must be played first for obvious reasons and then the doubles & singles can commence to be played concurrently.

7. All three games are to be played to thirteen points and the Club that wins two or more games in the Match will be deemed the Winners of the Match and will go through to the next round.

8. Results are to be notified to the Competition Secretary by phone or fax or e-mail the next day.

9. Rules 3 (Boules), 4 (Start of Play) and 8 (Penalties for Late Start) of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the 321 KO Competitions.

10. Any Semi finalist team unable to turn up on finals Day having given prior notification to the Competition Secretary will forfeit that position and their place in the final will be awarded to the team that they knocked out, or the team that may have conceded the Semi final to them. Any team just not turning up on finals day, will forfeit their right to enter next years competition. The finals day date is known a year in advance and teams must bear this in mind. The date always being the second or third Sunday in October or as published on the Chiltern Region Calendar.

League Name Changed and Rules Amended
Febuary 5th 2003

a) Rule 5 amended to include date on which it must be played/failure to play
2nd March 2005

John Deaville - Competition Secretary / Three Shires Petanque League.

Annexe D: The Open Doubles and Triples Competition Rules

1. The THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Open Competitions will be played during the summer season and consist of the following:
Doubles
Triples

2. The dates and venues of the competitions will be notified to Clubs at the Captain's Meeting.

3. Clubs or players (from different clubs) may enter by registering on the appropriate forms.

4. Teams MUST register promptly at the time stated on the day of the competitions to enable play to commence on time. BPA rules will apply as modified by the Competition Committee for the venue/number of teams competing.

5. The format for the preliminary stages of each competition will depend on the number of teams competing. The quarterfinals, semi-finals and final will be played on a knockout basis over one game.

League Name Changed and Rules Amended
February 5th 2003

John Deaville- Competition Secretary Three Shires Pétanque League
Ratified on:

1.		The League shall be known as the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE.
2.		The Competition Committee of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE will operate the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE.
3.		An entry fee of £6 per team must be paid before the season commences. Cheques should be made payable to: Three Shires Petanque League and sent to 'Neil Stevenson - Treasurer' 18 Millard Way Hitchin SG40QE
4.		Entries for teams wishing to participate in the THREE SHIRES WINTER LEAGUE will be made at the AGM of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE held in November of each year.
5.		Trophies will be awarded at the Dinner & Dance & Presentation Night number of trophies to be awarded will be decided each season and will be dependent on the number of teams entering the competition.
6.		The Winter League will be organised as a number of smaller leagues. The number of teams entered and traveling distances involved will govern the compilation of the leagues.
7.		The Competition Committee shall draw the teams, venues and match dates for each League. Each team shall be notified of the venues, dates and fixtures before the Winter League commences. All matches shall be played at the designated venue on the designated date. A team unable to play on a designated date will be deemed to have given that match away.
8.		Teams failing to play a match at the designated venue on the appropriate date will have their result null and void for the purposes of the League tables.
9.		All matches will be played between November and April on Sunday mornings. Play WILL commence at 11.30 am.
10.		Each match will consist of two triples games played to 13 points each game. The team to start first in the opening game will be decided by the toss of a coin. The other team will start the second game.
11.		Two points will be awarded for a win, one for a draw. The final positions in each league will be determined by: 11.1 Match points 11.2 Games Won & Lost 11.3 Game points difference
12.		The finals will be played at a venue on a date set by the Competition Committee THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE. The format of the finals will be fixed each year depending on the number of teams.
13.		A minimum of three players are required to form a team. Reserves are permitted and the whole team of 3 players may be replaced in the second g+ame provided that the opposing team is informed of such a change prior to the first game. Additional players may be registered as the season progresses.
14.		Players for the Winter League competition must be registered with the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Competition Secretary prior to the commencement of play. Once registered with one team, players cannot play for any other team during the Winter League season. Prior to the start of the matches, all players for those matches must be entered on the Score sheet. Only these players may play in 1he match.
15.		Players registered for a team expelled from the League may not re-register for another team.
16.		There will be no postponements.
17.		If, in the opinion of the Competition Committee, two teams colluded to affect the league table positions, then punitive action will be taken.
18.		Rules 3, 4 and 8 of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the Winter League Match Rules.

1.		All Clubs in the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE will play in the League Cup Competition during the summer season. The League Cup shall consist of both a Main and Plate Competition. Should it be necessary a preliminary round will be played to determine the first round proper. The losers in the first round will then go into the plate along with the losers of the preliminary round. If necessary another prelim round will be played to determine the second round of the plate. The competition will then proceed as a straight KO along with the main.
2.		The format will comprise a list of teams drawn from the hat. The first name in each pairing will be the HOME team.
3.		The HOME team is the top team in the box on the draw sheet and the match will be played on their home night on the week designated on the draw sheet. All rounds will now have a designated week. The HOME team out of common courtesy may wish to contact the AWAY team to confirm the match and likewise the AWAY team may wish to confirm it with the HOME team. It is imperative that both teams arrange to play within the deadline date indicated in the draw. It is the responsibility of both teams to notify the Competition Secretary if they are unable to play on the designated date - whereupon the Competition Committee will decide the date on which it must be played. Failure to play on this date will result in the match being awearded to the team not at fault for this failure.
4.		Results are to be notified to the Competition Secretary by phone, fax or email the following day.
5.		Any Semi Finalist team unable to turn up on Finals Day having given prior notification to the Competition Secretary will forfeit that position and their place in the final will be awarded to the team that they knocked out, or the team that may have conceded the Semi Final to them. Any team just not turning up on finals day will forfeit their right to enter next year's competition. This applies to both the Main and Plate Competitions. The finals day date is known a year in advance and teams must bear this in mind. The date always being the second or third Sunday in October or as published on the Chiltern Region Calendar.
6.		Rules 3 (Boules), 4 (Start of Play) and 8 (Penalties for Late Start) of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the League Cup Competition.

1.		The THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Triples, Doubles & Singles (321) KO competition will be played during the summer season and will now be combined in to a team event consisting of three constituent parts, Triples, Doubles and Singles, to be played at the same venue on the same evening.
2.		A club can enter one or more teams of three people and will play a TRIPLES game followed by DOUBLES & SINGLES games played concurrently. Reserves may be used in the event of team members being unavailable because of holidays etc.
3.		All matches will be played during the summer season within the period announced on the draw sheet issued by the Competition Secretary.
4.		The format will comprise of teams drawn from the hat. The first name in each pairing will be the HOME team.
5.		The HOME team will be reponsible for contacting the AWAY team to confirm that they are available to play on the week published on the draw sheet, within one week of receipt of notification of each round of the competition. It is imperative that both teams arrange to play within the deadline date indicated in the draw. Assuming the draw is received in time, it is permissable to play the match before the published week, for convenience, but not afterwards. It is the responsibilty of both teams to notify the Competition Secretary if they are unable to play on or before the specified date whereupon the Competition Committee will decide the date on which it must be played. Failure to play it on this date by either team will result in the match being awarded to the team not at fault for this failure.
6.		On arrival at The Home Teams venue and before any play commences, the Captains of the teams will do a draw to see who is going to play in the Singles games. The Triples match must be played first for obvious reasons and then the doubles & singles can commence to be played concurrently.
7.		All three games are to be played to thirteen points and the Club that wins two or more games in the Match will be deemed the Winners of the Match and will go through to the next round.
8.		Results are to be notified to the Competition Secretary by phone or fax or e-mail the next day.
9.		Rules 3 (Boules), 4 (Start of Play) and 8 (Penalties for Late Start) of the THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Match Rules shall apply to the 321 KO Competitions.
10.		Any Semi finalist team unable to turn up on finals Day having given prior notification to the Competition Secretary will forfeit that position and their place in the final will be awarded to the team that they knocked out, or the team that may have conceded the Semi final to them. Any team just not turning up on finals day, will forfeit their right to enter next years competition. The finals day date is known a year in advance and teams must bear this in mind. The date always being the second or third Sunday in October or as published on the Chiltern Region Calendar.

1.		The THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE Open Competitions will be played during the summer season and consist of the following: Doubles Triples
2.		The dates and venues of the competitions will be notified to Clubs at the Captain's Meeting.
3.		Clubs or players (from different clubs) may enter by registering on the appropriate forms.
4.		Teams MUST register promptly at the time stated on the day of the competitions to enable play to commence on time. BPA rules will apply as modified by the Competition Committee for the venue/number of teams competing.
5.		The format for the preliminary stages of each competition will depend on the number of teams competing. The quarterfinals, semi-finals and final will be played on a knockout basis over one game.