North West Federation of Croquet Clubs
A Guide to the 2018 LEAGUE RULES
by Ivan Wheatley, NWFCC League Manager (22 January 2018)
This note has been prepared to highlight the keys aspects of the League Rules issued by the North West Federation of Croquet Clubs and covers all the agreed league rules then the wording of the rules themselves should be taken as authoritative.
Changes to published fixtures.
The fixture list for the season is published initially in provisional form and then, after a short period during which team captains can request changes of their opposite numbers, in agreed form around the end of February (Rule 2(a)). After this time changes of date may be requested by either team captain but must be agreed by the opposing team captain and the League Manager informed before the original fixture date otherwise the match will be declared a walkover and the points awarded to the non-defaulting team. In the event that a match has to be postponed at short notice due to bad weather, unplayable lawns or other similar circumstances then the teams have two weeks following the original date to agree a new date otherwise the match will be declared void and no points will be awarded to either team, (Rule 2(b)).
Matches abandoned due to bad weather or unplayable lawns.
If a match has to be abandoned due to bad weather or the lawns becoming unplayable after the match has started then providing more than half the games have been played to a conclusion then the match result will reflect the state of play at the time that the match was abandoned. If less than half the games have been completed then the match will be declared void unless the two captains can agree and have informed the League Manager of their plans to complete the match within 3 weeks of the original date, (Rule 7(a) to 7(e)).
Handicap cards.
All players in handicap league matches must maintain and produce their relevant handicap cards, if requested, before play commences. In the event that a player in a short match does not keep a handicap card then it is acceptable that a short handicap is determined by reference to their full lawn AC handicap as using the table in the league rules (Rule 20). For players with handicaps below 0 their ranking index is sufficient to calculate the number of bisques/extra turns awarded in handicap games aor points exchanged in level play games.
In the event that a player is unable to produce a relevant handicap card their captain may vouch for their claimed handicap and the matter should then be referred to the League Manager afterwards for verification. In the event that the claimed handicap is subsequently proven to be incorrect then all games played by that player will be forfeited and the result of the match recalculated accordingly (Rule 5(c)).
Reporting of results.
It is the responsibility of the home team captain to report the results of matches played as soon as possible to the League Manager. This may be done preferably by email quoting the league and the final score to results@croquetnw.co.uk or by telephone or text to 07881 581349. If the result is sent by means of copying the score sheet please ensure that the writing on the sheet is legible and that the full sheet is included. For Advanced Level AC and Level Play GC matches a copy of the completed match score sheet should be sent to the League Manager as soon after the match as possible to enable the appropriate returns to be made to the respective CA Ranking Officer.
Copies of the approved League Rules and score sheets may be downloaded from the Federation website at www.croquetnw.co.uk or obtained from the League Manager. If you have any questions about the League Rules or have any concerns about any related matters again contact the League Manager in the first instance who will either answer your question or direct you to a suitable person.
Ivan Wheatley League Manager, North West Federation of Croquet Clubs
Contact: email: ivan.wheatley@gmail.com, telephone 01524 824796 (07881 581349)