Contact Rules

The prevailing laws of the game as determined by the RFU/IRB also apply to this Seven-a-side Competition, subject to the following conditions, which are applicable to the RCUK Charity Sevens

1. TEAM COMPOSITION
a. Each team must have no more than seven players on the playing area.
b. A squad shall consist of twelve players, one of whom must be nominated as team captain who will also act as the team steward/organiser.
c. With the consent of the referee during the course of the match, up to five substitutions may be made for both tactical reasons and for injured players. However, no player for whom a substitution has been made may re-join the team during the course of that game.
d. Teams are requested to conduct the substitution process as effectively as possible and to co-operate fully with both the referee and match stewards. No tactical time-wasting will be permitted.
Exception: A substituted player may replace a player with a bleeding or open wound, providing that all five match substitutes have already been utilized.

2. RULES OF PLAY
a. The conventional Laws of the Game, modified for seven-a-side competition, shall be adhered to, as prescribed by the RFU, this includes all laws relating to scrummaging, kick-offs, restarts and line-outs.
b. The word of the match referee is final – no appeal will be allowed or heard.
c. All league stage matches and semi-finals shall be played for seven minutes plus lost time each way with one minute allowed for half-time.
d. In the event of a draw during the league stages of the Tournament each team will be awarded one point each.
e. In the event of a draw at the end of normal time in one of the two semi-finals or finals of either the Cup or bowl competition, the teams will change ends and continue playing for two additional periods of five minutes. The Tournament rules allow for a “Golden Try”. If a try is scored within the first extra five minute period, then the match will immediately cease providing there is a clear winner. However, if no score occurs during this first period of extra time, then at the end of this period of extra time, the teams will change ends without interval. The “Golden Try” rule equally applies to the second period of extra time. However, if at the end of this second period of extra time the match is still drawn and the scores level, then the following criteria will apply to determine the match winner, in the order as shown

1. The team with the highest number of wins within the league stage of the Tournament becomes the winner. In the event there is still no clear winner then;
2. The team with the highest number of points accumulated during the league stages becomes the winner. In the event there is still no clear winner then;
3. Team with the highest number of tries scored during the league stages becomes the winner. In the event there is still no clear winner then;
4. The referee will first toss a coin to decide who “calls the toss” and then having determined which team captain is eligible to call first, will then “toss a coin” to determine the winner, with the correct call determining the final result.
f. The final of both the Cup and Bowl Competition shall be played for ten minutes each way with two minutes allowed for half team
g. Teams MUST assemble TEN MINUTES before each fixture at the half-way line of their pitch nearest to the clubhouse to check with the opposition for colour clashes (second-named team to change) and to toss for ends and kick-off BEFORE they take the field.
h. In the event of a team failing to be ready to play at the time indicated in the programme (or as required by the organisers), they shall forfeit that game.
i. Thirty seconds ONLY shall be allowed for conversion attempts.
j. Conversion attempts shall be by drop-kick. For tries scored "between the posts", these should be taken from the in-goal area back into the field of play. Attempts from further out, right way round. A defender shall remain back to retrieve the ball. No action may be taken to prevent the goal
k. All trophy winners are expected to defend their titles in next season’s competition

3. FOUL PLAY
a. Both Red and Yellow cards will be utilised by Referees during the tournament
b. In the event a player is shown a yellow card, he must immediately leave the field of play and will remain temporarily suspended for a period of two minutes.
c. Under no circumstances must the suspended player return to the field of play, even if the two minute period has elapsed, until invited to do so by the referee.
d. If a player is shown a Red Card they must leave the field for the full duration of the match, including any extra time played. Furthermore, they are automatically disbarred from playing any further part in the Tournament.
e. If a player accumulates three yellow cards throughout the duration of the Tournament, they will also be automatically disbarred from playing any further part in the Tournament.
f. If a team loses a player at any stage of the competition to either a red or three yellow cards, they are not permitted under any circumstances to draft in a replacement player or substitute to their squad. The squad must continue in the tournament will eleven players.

4. SCORING
a. In the event of a win and the winning team scoring less than five tries, the winning team will be awarded three [3] points and the losing team zero [0] points.
b. In the event of the winning team scoring five [5] tries or more then the winning team will be awarded a one [1] point bonus. If the losing team has also scored five [5 ] or more tries, then they will also be awarded one [1] bonus point.
c. In the event of a drawn league match, each team will be awarded one [1] point each. If either team has scored five tries or more, then they will also be awarded one [1] bonus point.
d. All scores will be displayed in the Organisers office as well as on the official Tournament score board

5. GENERAL NOTES/DISCLAIMERS

Team Organisers/Captains should ensure their players secure any valuables brought to the Tournament, following the designated “Valuables Handling Process” since neither the organisers, the Sponsors, nor Richmond Athletic Association can accept any responsibility for loss of, or damage to, visitors’ property.

Neither can they accept liability for any injury sustained by persons participating in, or attending, the Tournament, or in any way connected therewith. Insurance Cover for any such misfortune MUST be provided by the participant or their Employer.