Rules of the Coventry and District Snooker League for the 2024/2025 Season
(As approved by the General Committee at the May 2019 AGM.)
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1. Constitution
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1.1.
The League will be called THE COVENTRY & DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE (CDSL).
1.2.
The governing body will be the General Committee, which will consist of a President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary, Competition Secretary, Match Secretary, Treasurer, one additional officer and one representative from each team.
1.3.
The first nine to be elected tri-annually [three per season] and to be known as the Executive Committee. They shall be responsible for the control and administration of all league matters subject to the endorsement of the General Committee
1.4.
Meetings will be convened during the season as and when required. A quorum of one third of the General Committee must be present at any one meeting before a vote can be taken. Voting power at the AGM and all other meetings will be one vote per team, plus one vote for the referees' association. The Chairman shall have the casting vote. It is the responsibility of all teams to be represented at these meetings. Attendance at the AGM is mandatory. Failure to send a representative will result in a £5.00 fine.
1.5.
Any proposed changes of these rules to be sent in writing to the General Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting [A.G.M.] or special meeting.
1.6.
Where interpretations of these rules are necessary, or questions arise, not covered by these rules, the decision of the General Committee in all matters shall be final.
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2. League Formation
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2.1. League Divisions
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2.1.1.
The League will be divided into divisions of appropriate size as decided by the General Committee at the League Formation Meeting.
2.1.2.
Teams of clubs duly represented in a division to be designated 'A' for division 1, 'B' for division 2 etc.
2.1.3.
There will be a maximum of 3 teams from any club in one division.
2.1.4.
The number of teams that will be promoted to the next highest division, at the end of the season, will be agreed by the General Committee at the League Formation Meeting.
2.1.5.
The number of teams that will be demoted to the next lowest division, at the end of the season, will be agreed by the General Committee at the League Formation Meeting.
2.1.6.
Byes will not count as relegation positions unless created by teams dropping out or being expelled after the season has started.
2.1.7.
Should there be a vacancy in a division new teams will be considered on their merit along with any team in the next lowest division.
2.1.8.
Any new team applying for League status must, at the time of application, submit their players' names in order to be considered for vacancies other than in the lowest division.
2.1.9.
League position of teams will be decided on the number of frames won. If teams are level, then the highest number of matches won will decide. If still level, then the highest number of matches drawn will count. If after this final league positions cannot be determined, that affect promotion or relegation, a play-off shall be arranged.
2.1.10.
The number of players per team will be five.
2.1.11.
Two frames of snooker to be played by each player from scratch, 1 point per frame to be awarded to the winner. Where a club has only one table, at the start of the match a position on the match card, agreed by both captains, will be denoted before the draw. The players drawn in that position will play two frames, counting 1 point each. The remaining players will play one frame counting 2 points.
2.1.12.
No team will be allowed into divisions 1 and 2 with only one table. No team entered in the league with more than one table will be allowed to play a league match on only one table.
2.1.13.
Snooker matches in the 1st and 2nd divisions shall be played on Wednesday , 3rd and 4th on Tuesday. No exception to these days will be allowed without good reason and approval from the General Committee.
2.1.14.
If without good reason any team fails to turn up for two matches within a season, that team will be expelled from the league. Points gained from matches played against this team will be deleted.
2.1.15
A player having played three matches in the 'A' team for a club shall be ineligible to play for the 'B' team in that season. This also applies to 'B' to 'C' etc. To allow this rule to be applied where clubs have more than one team in a division, the team designated as 1 (eg D1) will be senior to teams designated as 2 (eg D2) etc, irrespective of the league position. Only in exceptional circumstances can this rule be deviated from, at the discretion of the committee.
2.1.16.
Only one professional player per team will be allowed.
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2.2. Prizes
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2.2.1.
Prizes will be awarded for the winners and runners-up in each division.
2.2.2.
There will be a prize each season for the player who makes the highest break in each division.
2.2.3.
There will be a prize each season for the player who scores the highest aggregate in each division. This being the player who wins the most frames.
2.2.4.
The CDSL provides trophies for both league and cup competitions. Additional trophies may be purchased by request to the General Secretary at least two weeks prior to presentation night.
2.2.5.
The cost of any additional trophies must be reimbursed to the league by/at the 'League Formation' meeting for the following season.
2.2.6.
If you do not wish to receive trophies and would like gift vouchers instead, the General Secretary must be informed at least two weeks prior to presentation night.
2.2.7.
The respective winners must collect their trophies/prizes on Presentation Night. Winners may send a bone-fide representative to collect their trophies/prizes providing the General Secretary has been previously notified.
2.2.8.
If any player or teams fail to collect their trophies/prizes on 'Presentation Night' and subsequently fail to contact the General Secretary within the following seven days, they may lose the right to such prizes at the discretion of the General Committee.
2.2.9.
Annual Trophies will be presented to teams on Presentation Night to allow photographs and celebrations to take place. Trophies must be handed back at the end of the evening and will be kept by the Executive committee.
2.2.10.
Should a trophy not be returned at the end of the night then a fine of £5.00 will be incurred.
2.2.11
Should a trophy be returned in a damaged state, the recipient/s will be held accountable for the professional cost of repair.
2.2.12.
Should a trophy be lost or damaged beyond repair, the recipient/s will be held accountable for the like for like replacement.
2.2.13.
Fines incurred under rules 2.2.10, 2.2.11 and 2.2.12 must be paid by/at the 'League Formation' meeting.
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2.1. League Divisions
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3. Games, Tables and Equipment
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3.1.
Games will be played with Super Crystallite balls only.
3.2.
Games will be played under the rules of the W.P.B.S.A. with the exceptions specified in Rules 3.3 and 3.4 This needs to be reviewed as there are no rules listed on the EASB site. They can be found using the link on the website.
3.3.
The Miss Rule will only be played in Division One and in all competitions and will only be played with the agreement of both players / captains. Rule 3.4 describes the amendments to the miss rule.
3.4.
Unless a player has a direct shot to the ball on, then the referee will call a maximum of 3 misses. After the 4th attempt has been made to hit the ball on, the referee will only call a foul. The player coming to the table has the option to play from where the cue-ball has come to rest or making his opponent play again from that position. All other EASB rules regarding the 'miss' will apply. This rule will be played in Division One and in competitions up to and including the Quarter-finals.
3.5.
In Semi-Finals and Finals, where a trained referee is available, the full EASB rule will be applied. The agreement of the players / captains will not be required.
3.6.
All snooker table lights to have a minimum of 400 watts for standard bulbs, 90 watts for Energy Saving bulbs or 70 watts for neon lights. All bulbs or neon lights must be of equal value. For Reference : A 150W tungsten bulb is equivalent to a 30W energy saving bulb or a 26W energy saving fluorescent lamp.
3.7.
All snooker tables are expected to conform to the W.P.B.S.A full-size specification.
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4. Registrations
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4.1. Team Registration
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4.1.1.
The team registration fee is £5.00 for each team entered in the league
4.1.2.
Teams whose applications are received after the closing date will incur an additional £5.00 fine.
4.1.3.
All team registration fees must be paid by/at the 'League Formation' meeting.
4.1.4.
Playing of matches whilst team registration fees remain unpaid, including any additional fines, will incur a penalty of 2 points per match.
4.1.5.
No team registration will be accepted from teams with outstanding debts from previous seasons.
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4.2. Player Registration
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4.2.1.
All players to be registered and fully paid up members of the club they are representing. Registration will be immediately effective on receipt by the Match Secretary.
4.2.2.
The registration fee is £1.00 per player. All player registration fees must be paid by/at the 'League Formation' meeting.
4.2.3.
Playing of matches whilst player registration fees remain unpaid will incur a penalty of 2 points per match.
4.2.4.
New player registrations will be accepted up to and including February 1st in each season. Notification of any new player should be given to the Match Secretary in writing or identified on the result card as such. Failure to comply will result in the forfeit of points won by that player.
4.2.5.
Registration fees for additional players must be paid by/at the 'End of Season' meeting.
4.2.6.
No player registration will be accepted for a player with outstanding debts from previous seasons.
4.2.7.
No player may be transferred from one club to another without a written application from their proposed new club, the consent of their old club and the approval of the General Committee.
4.2.8.
If a person is banned from a club, then that club should notify the league in writing as soon as the ban takes effect.
4.2.9.
Registered players of 14 years of age and above are allowed to play league matches. If a club refuses this, that club must reverse the fixture or find a neutral venue where the WHOLE match will be played; otherwise the 2 frames shall be conceded.
4.2.10.
If a club plays an employee who whilst being a bona-fide member has duties to perform, such duties shall not be performed during the course of his games.
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4.1. Team Registration
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5. Conduct of League Matches
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5.1.
Before matches can commence, the two rival captains will make a draw to determine the opponents of each of the five team members. The order of play will rest with the home captain or his deputy.
5.2.
The start time for all league matches is 7-30pm. If either team is late arriving and the match has not started by 8pm, then the team responsible for the delay to forfeit the first 2 frames. All players must be present at the commencement of the match. Late arrivals will only be tolerated by mutual agreement of the captains. Should the agreed late arrival or reserve be later than 9pm, his points will be forfeit. Games shall be played consecutively on the first available table, unless previously agreed upon by the captains.
5.3.
In the event of a team being one player short in a match, they shall forfeit the points, which will be awarded to their opponents. In the event of any team being 2 or more players short by 9pm, the match will be abandoned and re-arranged for a later date.
5.4.
If any team fails to arrive, without having given their opponents at least 24 hours notice, they will be fined the costs of the home team's expenses for food.
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5.5 Rules for the re-arrangement of games
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5.5.1.
Any team will only be allowed to be responsible for the cancellation/abandoning of 1 match during a season. Any further cancellations/abandoning of matches by that team will incur a penalty of 2 points.
5.5.2.
Matches must be re-arranged within 7 days, to be played by the break week in each half of the season. If the match is not re-arranged within 7 days and the Match secretary informed of the date, it will be re-arranged by the executive committee.
5.5.3.
Both teams are responsible for the re-arrangement of the cancelled match and should any problems arise, the Executive Committee should be informed.
5.5.4.
Any re-arranged or cancelled match not played before, or in, the break week in each third of the season will be deemed as played and a 'Results Panel' will decide what, in their best opinion, the result would have been and that result recorded in the tables.
5.5.5.
Matches abandoned for reasons beyond control i.e., industrial action, power cuts, acts of God, etc., should be continued at the same venue, where possible, within 10 days. Completed frames must stand, uncompleted frames re-started and un-played frames played as per the original draw. In the event of a player not being available for this continuation, a reserve may take his place.
5.5.6.
Provision of referees and markers shall be the responsibility of the home club and the home team to be marked 'spot' for all frames. Home clubs shall be responsible for all expenses incurred in staging the match.
5.5.7.
Fines incurred under RULE 5 must be paid by/at the 'End of Season' meeting.
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6. Player Levies
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6.1.
There will be a £1.00 levy per player for each match played.
6.2.
It is the responsibility of each team captain to collect and pay this levy to the CDSL.
6.3.
The first half season levies must be paid by/at the January General meeting.
6.4.
The second half season levies must be paid by/at the 'End of Season' meeting.
6.6.
Failure to pay levies at the designated times will result in an immediate 2 point deduction, plus a 2 point penalty per week for each week that the debt remains unpaid.
6.7.
Any points deducted under rule 6.5 could therefore have a direct result on final league tables, subsequent loss of prizes and expulsion from the league for 12 months at the discretion of the General Committee.
6.8.
Re-admission to the league to be only on payment of outstanding levies. Such teams will also be required to pay levies for the new season in advance. 1st half season levies must be paid by/at the 'Start of Season' meeting. 2nd half season levies must be paid by/at the January General Meeting. Failure to pay these levies on time will result in expulsion from the league.
6.9.
Where a team or club have difficulties, the General Committee may show compassion.
6.5.
Levies will be paid for all played and un-played games.
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7. Result Cards
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7.1.
Result cards must be received, at the latest, by the Monday following the week in which the match has been played. Result cards may be scanned and e-mailed and sent to 'match.results@cdsl.org.uk'
7.2.
Results given by e-mail without a scanned image of the card are acceptable, but the signed result card or copy must be received by the Match Secretary before/at the next General Meeting following the date the match was played.
7.3.
Results given by telephone are not acceptable.
7.4.
The first late card from any team will incur no penalty. Each subsequent late card will incur a penalty of 2 points. Cards not received under rule 7.2 shall incur a penalty of 2 points on each card after the first.
7.5.
If a card or copy has not been received by the next General meeting, the team responsible for the card shall receive a further 2 point penalty.
7.6.
Any team with a late card on the last week of the season shall receive a 2 point penalty even if it is their first.
7.7.
It is the home team's responsibility to inform the Match secretary of any cancelled or re-arranged matches. Failure to do so before the date the result card would be due will result in the card being deemed as late and where applicable a late card penalty incurred.
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8. Disputes
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8.1.
Any protest regarding players or clubs must be made in writing to the General Secretary within seven days from the time of the alleged offense or dispute.
8.2.
All communications made in writing or e-mailed to the Executive Committee will be disclosed to the General Committee at the first meeting following the communication.
8.3.
For conduct that, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, is willfully or persistently unfair in order to gain an advantage for themselves or their team, a player or players will forfeit their points, which will be awarded to their opponent.
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9. Additional Rules for Competitions
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9.1 General
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9.1.1.
All matches to be played on the knockout principal under the E.A.S.B. rules.
9.1.2.
In the event of a tie in aggregate matches, the black ball will be re-spotted and the last two players will spin for choice of play.
9.1.3.
Prizes will be awarded to Champions, Runners-Up and Highest Break in all Competitions.
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9.2 Competition Draws and Handicaps
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9.2.1.
Handicaps will be continually assessed throughout the competition and may be adjusted at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
9.2.2.
65 point spread across the divisions will be used as a guide in individual competitions.
9.2.3.
The individual handicaps of the 5 players selected for the match will be added together to calculate the teams handicap.
9.2.4.
Draws for all competitions, will be made on a round by round basis. The 'Competition Secretary' will validate the draw.
9.2.5.
In aggregate matches, team handicaps will not be considered when applying the rules of snooker to each frame.
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9.3 Competition Fees
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9.3.1.
All competition entrance fees should be paid to the Competition Secretary when submitting the entry form. Entrance will only be accepted if payment is received by the 'Start of Season' meeting.
9.3.2.
Closing date for all competitions will be clearly shown on each entrance form.
9.3.3.
At the discretion of the 'Competition Secretary', the closing date for entry to some competitions may be extended.
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9.4 Arranging Matches
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9.4.1.
Players and teams should play at the home venue stated, unless mutually agreed to be played elsewhere.
9.4.2.
Both sides should liaise and arrange matches as soon as possible after the draw. The home player / captain has 7 days from the date of the draw to make contact with the away player / captain and offer at least three dates to play the match. If the home player / captain fails to make contact within the 7 days, the away player / captain should notify the Competitions Secretary and has 3 further days to contact the home player / captain and offer three dates and the fixture will be reversed. These dates offered
- Must not correspond to the opponents' normal league fixtures night.
- Must not all be the same night.
- Must include at least one week day (Mon to Thu).
- Should not be consecutive nights.
9.4.3.
Any player or team having difficulty in applying rules 9.4.2 should contact the 'Competition Secretary' or member of the 'Executive Committee' immediately.
9.4.4.
Failure to comply with the above will result in both players or teams being eliminated from the competition. Re-entry into the competition the following year will be at the discretion of the 'Executive Committee'.
9.4.5.
Should any complications arise that cannot be resolved by the participants, the 'Executive Committee' can order matches to be played and the conditions specified
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9.5 Late Arrivals
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9.5.1.
Matches should start at 7-30pm unless previously agreed by both parties.
9.5.2.
Players or teams arriving later than the time agreed to be penalized as follows:
- 15 minutes : 1 frame or 80 points
- 30 minutes : 2 frames or 160 points
- 45 minutes : 3 frames or 240 points
- 1 hour : Match conceded
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9.6 Result Cards
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9.6.1.
It is the responsibility of the winners in each round to notify the 'Competition Secretary' of the result.
9.6.2.
Result cards must be received by the closing date for each round of the competition. Result cards may be scanned and e-mailed to 'comp.results@cdsl.org.uk'
9.6.3.
Results given by e-mail are acceptable, but a signed card or copy being must be received by the 'Competition Secretary' by the closing date of that round.
9.6.4.
Results given by telephone are not acceptable.
9.6.5.
Failure to inform the 'Competition Secretary' by the appropriate method and before the closing date of the round will result in exclusion from the competition.
9.6.6.
A highest break award will be given in all competitions. Breaks must be recorded on the result card to ensure validation. Under no circumstances will evidence of breaks be accepted at a later stage.
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9.7 Finals Stages
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9.7.1.
Semi-finals in all competitions will be played at a neutral venue as decided by the 'Executive Committee'. They will also be responsible for the appointment of the match officials.
9.7.2.
Once dates and venues have been finalized, they will not be altered without good reason.
9.7.3.
A dress code shall be enforced at all semi-finals and finals. Proper buttoned shirt with collar, trousers and proper shoes will be worn. This means, strictly no jeans, tracksuits, polo shirts, t-shirts, trainers or canvas shoes will be allowed. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the following penalties.
- Individual Handicap - first frame handicap to be adjusted by 80 penalty points
- Tom Smithies - first frame handicaps to be adjusted by 80 penalty points
- Revill and Lakin - Handicaps of offending player (s) to be adjusted by 80 points
- Foursomes - Aggregate Handicap to be adjusted by 80 points
- CDSL and A P NEWMAN - First frame involving offending player (s) will start with 80 points deficit
- Individual Championship, U – 25 - First frame will start with 80 points deficit
9.7.4.
Players who do not turn up for a semi-final or final will be excluded from the competition and forfeit their prizes. Re-entry into the competition the following year will be at the discretion of the 'Executive Committee'.
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9.8 Eligilibilty
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9.8.1.
All players taking part in competitions must be registered with the CDSL.
9.8.2.
All entrants must be bona-fide members of the club they are representing.
9.8.3.
Playing of unregistered players in any team competition will mean automatic expulsion of that team from the competition.
9.8.4.
A player may only play for one team in the same competition.
9.8.5.
The Executive Committee shall have the right to refuse entry of any player.
9.8.6.
No professional players will be allowed to enter competitions
9.8.7.
To qualify for entry into all competitions in the current season, players must have played at least 3 league matches in the previous season or must have played 3 league games in the current season before the competition reaches the date of the draw at the last 16 stage. If any player/players reach the last 16 stage without playing in the league games they will be excluded at that stage and their opponent in the previous round reinstated.
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9.9 Disputes
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9.9.1.
The Executive Committee has the right to decide all disputes arising from the competitions and shall have the power to adjudicate on any matter not provided for in these rules.
9.9.2.
The Executive Committee decision shall be final.
9.9.3.
All disputes must be made in writing to the 'Competition Secretary' within 48 hours of the match being played.
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9.1 General
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10. Individual Competitions
- 10.1 Individual Championship
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10.2 Individual Handicap
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10.2.1.
Entry fee will be £3.00 per player.
10.2.2.
Entrance is open to all registered players.
10.2.3.
This competition will be handicapped in accordance with Rule 9.2.
10.2.4.
Results will be decided as follows:
- Best of Five frames up to and including Quarter-Finals.
- Best of Seven frames in Semi-Finals and Final.
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- 10.3 Under 25s Championship
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10.4 Tom Smithies (Over 50s)
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10.4.1.
Entry fee will be £2.00 per player.
10.4.2.
Entrance is open to all registered players aged 50 or over on the closing date for entries.
10.4.3
This competition will be handicapped in accordance with rule 9.2.
10.4.4.
Results will be decided as follows:
- Best of Three frames in all rounds up to and including the semi-finals.
- Best of Five frames in the final.
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11. Team Competitions
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11.1 CDSL Memorial Trophy
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11.1.1.
Entry fee will be £5.00 per team.
11.1.2.
There can be between three and six players declared on the entry form from whom the team will be selected.
11.1.3.
Entrance is open to all registered players.
11.1.4.
Players can be from different clubs, but must be registered with the league and cannot have played for another team.
11.1.5.
Three players to constitute a team and six frames of snooker to be played. Team captains will make a draw to determine each player's opponents.
11.1.6.
The result will be decided over the best of seven frames as follows: Each player to play 1 frame in the order drawn. This format should then be repeated. If the match score is three each, the captains will nominate one player to play a further frame to decide the winners.
11.1.7.
All matches to start at 7-15pm and only 15 minutes grace to be allowed. If a player is not present when he is due to play, his frame will be awarded to his opponent.
11.1.8.
The draw must be strictly adhered to.
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11.2 Harry Lakin Trophy
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11.2.1.
Entry will be free
11.2.2.
The competition will be handicapped in accordance with Rule 9.2 and entrance is open to all teams registered in the CDSL.
11.2.3.
Eligible players must have been registered before or at the February 1st in the season.
11.2.4.
Five players to constitute a team and each player to play 1 frame of snooker. Team captains will make a draw to determine each player?s opponents and the order of play will be as drawn on the card.
11.2.5.
Choice of break to be decided by the toss of a coin each frame.
11.2.6.
The total aggregate score plus handicap will decide the result.
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11.3 Frank Revill Memorial Trophy
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11.3.1.
Entry will be free
11.3.2.
The competition will be handicapped in accordance with Rule 9.2 and entrance is open to all teams in the divisions, as decided at the 'League Formation Meeting'.
11.3.3.
Eligible players must have been registered before or at the February 1st in the season.
11.3.4.
Five players to constitute a team and each player to play 1 frame of snooker. Team captains will make a draw to determine each players' opponents and the order of play will be as drawn on the card.
11.3.5.
Choice of break to be decided by the toss of a coin each frame.
11.3.6.
The total aggregate score plus handicap will decide the result.
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11.4 Foursomes Shield
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11.4.1.
Entry fee will be £5.00 per pair of players.
11.4.2.
Entrance is open to all registered players.
11.4.3.
Both named players must be from the same club and no substitute or replacement will be allowed.
11.4.4.
Results will be decided as follows: Three frames aggregate score in all rounds up to the final. (Choice of break to be decided on the toss of a coin in frames 1 and 3) Four frames aggregate score in the final.
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11.5 AP Newman Trophy
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11.5.1.
Entry fee will be £5.00 per pair of players.
11.5.2.
Entrance is open to all registered players.
11.5.3.
Players can be from different clubs, but must be registered with the league. No substitute or replacement will be allowed.
11.5.4.
Results will be decided as follows: Four frames aggregate score played in the order below:
- 1st drawn home player vs 1st drawn away player.
- 2nd drawn home player vs 2nd drawn away player.
- 1st drawn home player vs 2nd drawn away player.
- 2nd drawn home player vs 1st drawn away player.
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11.1 CDSL Memorial Trophy