4.

(a)

Each team shall play two matches, one at home and one away, against all teams in the division. No matches may be played as double headers, i.e. teams may NOT agree to play both home and away matches as one fixture.

(b)

If two teams from the same club are in the same division then these shall be the first fixtures in each half of the season and may not be re-arranged.

(c)

If two teams from the same club are in the same division (Divisions R and B are not considered the same division), they must be treated as completely separate pools of players and no one from one team may play in the other team. A player in a lower team may, however, play for either team, assuming they are eligible and have not been team tied.

(d)

Team members may play their string on a date other than that arranged only if playing in one of the following events:  (i) an international match recognised by England Squash, (ii) the British Open Championship, (iii) the British Closed Championship, (iv) an inter-county match or (v) the Surrey Open or Closed Tournaments.  No other grounds for playing ties on alternative dates are allowed. Vets – any regional masters competitions.

(e)

Individual ties re-arranged under Rule 6(f) must be played within twenty-one days of the original date or the team requesting the postponement shall concede the tie.

(f)

(i) Surrey Cup; Ann Price Surrey Trophy; Summer Surrey Cup; Surrey Veterans League: At least three players from each side should be present at the previously agreed starting time of the match. Once play has commenced it shall be continuous until the completion of the last tie. Failure to comply with this rule will invoke Rule 4(g). In the event of court time running out, the team causing the delay in starting the match shall forfeit the unplayed rubber(s).

(ii) Summer Surrey Trophy:  All players from each team must be present at the agreed match start time otherwise as players from both teams may be required to mark. In the event of court time running out, the team causing the delay in starting the match shall forfeit the unplayed rubber(s).

[Clearly there are two issues here. One is that unless teams start promptly, the matches go on very late and the other is that unless there are at least four players at the start, then a match may not have a marker. With the problems of traffic and work commitments, it is possibly wishful thinking to expect all 10 players to arrive on time, but every effort should be made to do so.]

(g)

If a player fails to arrive and the other rubbers have been completed, that player’s team forfeits the contest at the missing string’s position and below, i.e. the whole match if it is the 1st string player.  In exceptional circumstances, and after written application to the Competition Secretary, the missing player’s team may be allowed to retain the points from the completed ties as the player may be judged to be technically late as opposed to missing.

(h)

Where an otherwise eligible player plays out of their correct nominated order, as specified in the rules, they shall loose the tie.

[If two players swap positions for a match, yet their nominated positions are not consecutive as required under Rule 3(f), only one will actually have played out of position. The rest of the match results stand.]

(i)

With the exception of Division 1 & 2 in the Surrey Cup, all matches will be played as ‘first to 9 points, only the server can score a point’ scoring. Division 1 in the Surrey Cup will play ‘first to eleven, point per rally’ scoring.

(j)

Where courts for fixtures in Division 1 & 2 in the Surrey Cup have a moveable ‘tin’, with the agreement of the opposing team captains it may be lowered in keeping with squash at a professional level.