1.1. The League will be based on matches as advised to clubs between the first Saturday in May and a further 17 consecutive Saturdays thereafter. In the event of a decrease in the number of clubs in any Division the league season for that Division will commence later and/or finish earlier to accommodate home and away fixtures.

1.2. Matches shall commence at 1.30pm in Weeks 1-16 and 1.00pm in Weeks 17-18. Matches may commence earlier with the mutual agreement of both clubs and, if appointed, the umpire(s). Where matches have a delayed start, no match shall start later than 4.55pm for weeks 15 & 16 or 4.25pm Weeks 17 - 18.

1.3. Any club cancelling a fixture (for any reason other than ground condition) should cancel their lowest XI that are playing in the league.

1.4. Any match abandoned/cancelled due to ground condition or other acceptable circumstance (as determined by the committee) shall count as NO RESULT

1.5. No game shall be abandoned/cancelled prior to the agreed starting time unless both captains agree before hand. In the case of a council pitch, if the council calls the game off at any time, then the decision of the council is the final decision

1.6. Any team defaulting or failing to fulfil a fixture (except clause 1.4) shall be penalised 20 points. 26 points and a win shall be awarded to their opponents. The allocation of a financial penalty to be also levied at the discretion of the management committee

1.7. Any team falling to fulfil more than one fixture in a season must apply for re-election at the AGM. This re-election shall be in direct competition with any teams seeking election to the league.

2. Laws

2.1. The current M.C.C. laws, recommendations and ECB directives apply unless otherwise stated in the playing conditions contained within these match rules

3. Match playing conditions (general)

3.1. The conceding of a match is not allowed

3.2. A new quarter ball as supplied by the League to be used to start each innings in Divisions Premier, 1,2,3,4,5,6

3.3. A new quarter ball as supplied by the league to be used to start the match in Divisions 7-11

3.4. A match will be based on 90 overs, each side batting for a maximum of 45 overs.

3.5. In the event of a side batting first not using the maximum number of overs, then the side batting second may utilise the residue plus its own 45 overs.

3.6. In the event of a match starting late or the first innings being interrupted by the weather the total number of overs shall be reduced by one over for each three minutes of playing time lost, with an equal number of overs available to both sides

3.7. Should the reduction result in fewer than 15 overs being available to each side then the match shall count as a NO RESULT.

3.8. No bowler may bowl more than 12 overs in a match. Additional restrictions apply to fast bowlers up to the age of U19 details of which can be found in the related ECB directive

3.9. Should the team batting first declare before completing its allotted overs, they will be deemed to be ALL OUT

4. Match playing conditions: (Premier Division only) Fielding restrictions

4.1. Two semi circles shall be drawn on the field of play

4.2. The semi-circles shall have as their centre the middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi-circles shall be 30 yards (27.4 metres). The ends of each semi-circles shall be joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch.

4.3. The field restriction area shall be marked by painted ‘white’ dots at five yard intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven inches in diameter.

4.4. At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than five fielders on the leg side.

4.5. For the first 15 overs of each innings only two fielders are permitted to be outside the field restriction markings at the instant of delivery.

4.6. For the remaining overs of each innings only five fielders are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.

4.7. In the event of an infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the umpire at the strikers end shall call and signal ‘ No Ball’

6. Match points

6.1. Match points shall be awarded to clubs as follows:

WINNING SIDE 16 points plus bonus points accrued

LOSING SIDE 0 points plus bonus points accrued

TIE 8 points plus bonus points accrued

NO RESULT 5 points plus bonus points accrued in an abandoned match

7. Bonus points batting

7.1. Maximum number of bonus points to the batting side shall be 5 points as follows:

On attaining 150 runs- 1 bonus point

On attaining 175 runs- 2 bonus points

On attaining 200 runs- 3 bonus points

On attaining 225 runs- 4 bonus points

On attaining 250 runs- 5 bonus points

8. Bonus points bowling

8.1 Bonus points to the bowling side shall be awarded as follows:

On attaining 2 wickets - 1 bonus point

On attaining 4 wickets - 2 bonus points

On attaining 6 wickets - 3 bonus points

On attaining 8 wickets - 4 bonus points

On attaining 10 wickets - 5 bonus points

8.2. The team bowling first and winning the match shall be entitled to additional bowling points for dismissing the batting side for fewer than 150 runs.
The additional bonus points are awarded as below:

140 - 149 runs 1 additional bowling point

130 - 139 runs 2 additional bowling points

120 - 129 runs 3 additional bowling points

110 - 119 runs 4 additional bowling points

Under 110 runs 5 additional bowling points

8.3. These additional bowling points shall not be awarded to the losing side.