JUNIOR LEAGUE RULES 2005

1. The teams shall consist of 4 players - either boys, girls or mixed who shall all be under 16 years of age as at 1st January of the current year. (i.e. born 1989 or later).

2. Where a Club enters more than one team it must play the best 4 available players in the 1st team, the next best 4 in the 2nd team and so on for the 3rds and 4ths. A Club’s 1 st team must be filled up before their 2nd team i.e. the 1st team cannot concede a match on the grounds of not having a team if the Club’s 2nd team is full.

3. Players eligible to represent a club in the League Competition must be a fully paid up member of such club as defined in their rules. Players may only play for one club in a season in one competition. However, players may play for different clubs in different competitions, provided that they are fully paid up members of these clubs .

4. Each team MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult, aged 17 or over, who is to act as non-playing captain. They must be present for the duration of the match and both adults must sign the score sheet. Points will be deducted for continual disregard of this rule.

5. If the match is to be played before 3:00 p.m., the HOME team is responsible for contacting their opponents to arrange this ONE WEEK before the scheduled date of the match. (see rule 6.)

6. In the event of an alternative time not being agreed upon by both team secretaries a start time of 3:00 p.m. will automatically come in to force.

7. If a match requires to be rearranged for any reason, it should be played on the earliest mutually agreeable date and in any case must be completed within two weeks beyond the next scheduled match date in the appropriate division. Failure to do so will result in the match being declared void. The Junior League Secretary is to be notified of this immediately after postponement takes place.

8. The HOME team is responsible for providing good quality balls - a minimum of 3 per court - and providing teas.

9. Each match will consist of 4 singles rubbers and two doubles rubbers. Each rubber will consist of 2 sets - except in the case of a 2 court club playing at home (see point 11.). A tie-break will operate in each set at 6 all.

10. A team must play in order of merit - i.e. best player at No.1, 2nd best at No.2 - for the singles. For the Doubles the No.1 player must partner the No.2, and the No.3 must partner the No.4.

11. When a 2 court Club is playing at home the following changes are made: (i) The singles rubbers are to be ONE SET ONLY. (ii) The playing order alters (see point 12.). (iii) Each set is worth 1 ½ points instead of 1 point. (see point 13.)

12. Playing order for 3 court match:

Court 1 Court 2 Court 3

Singles Singles Doubles

Round 1 No.1 v No.1 No.2 v No.2 Nos.3 & 4 v Nos.3 & 4

Round 2 No.3 v No.3 No.4 v No.4 Nos.1 & 2 v Nos. 1 & 2

All singles and doubles rubbers are two sets

The Home Club decides which round is played first

Playing order for a 2 court match:

Court 1 Court 2

Round 1 No.1 v No.1 No.3 v No.3

Round 2 No.2 v No.2 No.4 v No.4

Round 3 Nos.1 & 2 v Nos.1 & 2 Nos.3 & 4 v Nos. 3 & 4

Singles rubbers are one set only / doubles rubbers are two sets

The Home Club decides whether Round 1 or Round 2 is played first.

Round 3 must be played last.

13. The scoring system is as follows:

(i) Each set in a 3 court match is worth 1 point } This way both 2 and 3 court
Each set in a 2 court match is worth 1 ½ points } matches add up to 12 points.

(ii) A bonus of 1 point is gained for winning the overall match.

(iii) If sets are equal then the games won will determine who wins the bonus.

(iv) If games are equal then NO bonus point is awarded.

(v) At the end of a match the score should add up to 13 (eg 8-5, 11-2) unless no bonus point is awarded when it will add up to 12.

14. League placings are determined by points won.

15. The top two teams in each league will be promoted and the bottom two teams will be relegated for the following season. This may be altered if there is any change in the number of entrants for the following season.

16. The non-playing captains of BOTH TEAMS are responsible for sending the completed score sheet duly signed by both non-playing captains to reach the Junior League Secretary by second post on the Thursday following the match. Results not received by this date will be declared void. Please write the name of the team sending in the sheet at the top of the score sheet.

17. Results must be completed on the official MDSLTA Match Score Sheets with all parts fully completed and signed.

18. In the case of conceded matches Both Teams must still process the score sheet in the usual manner. Teams receiving a concession will be credited with their average points score.

19. All disputes should be referred to the Junior League Secretary in writing within 72 hours of the disputed event.