CANDY Leagues and Merit League Rules (Sept 2026)

The Leagues Competitions

1.1       The CANDY Leagues and Merit League shall comprise of structured competitions involving eligible sides from Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria and Yorkshire who are in membership of their Constituent Body. Administration of the Leagues is through Northumberland CB who shall accept entries as applicable each season.

1.2       The Merit Table is for any match that is not played as part of a league.  

2          Management of the Leagues

2.1       All games shall be played in accordance with the “Laws of the game of Rugby Football” and the Rules and Regulations of the Rugby Football Union (the “RFU Rules”).

2.2       The CANDY and Merit Leagues hereinafter called the “Leagues” will be managed by the Northumberland Competitions Committee hereinafter called the “Committee”.

2.3       The Committee shall have control over the Leagues and shall conduct the business connected therewith.

The committee shall have the power to alter or add to the League Rules subject to ratification by the Director of Rugby.

2.4       All questions of interpretation of the League Rules shall be referred to the Chair of the Competitions Committee in writing via e-mail to the County Office – claire.sharpe@northumberlandrfu.co.uk

2.5       Any matters needing to be addressed urgently may be dealt with by the Chairman of the Committee and if the matter is likely to be contentious, with two other members of the Committee.  If the Chairman and/or the two other members have a significant risk of, or an actual, conflict of interest, the matter shall be dealt with by an appointed deputy and/or a different member(s) where there is no significant risk of, nor an actual, conflict of interest.

3          Eligibility of Players

The idea of these leagues is to get players on a pitch.  If this involves borrowing players to fulfill the fixture this is not an issue and is actively encouraged.    Players should, following the ethos of league, be regularly playing at that level.

4          Replacements

4.1       For all Leagues, there are no restrictions on replacements, maximum interchanges of 10.  

Please be mindful as the number of replacements for higher teams may affect matches.   

4.2       Rolling Substitutions are allowed in all leagues.

 5          Referees and Assistant Referees

Each Referees Society shall look to appoint officials to matches.  Each club shall provide a Touch Judge for every game except where Assistant Referees are appointed by the Referee Societies.

6          Playing fixtures

6.1       The Leagues shall be played on a home and away basis with points being awarded in accordance with paragraph 6.4.

6.2       The scoring system may be revised by the Committee from time to time.

6.3       There is provision within the rules for matches to be played with uncontested scrums from the start.

In the case of one side being short of front row players before the game, then the match should be allowed to be played wholly with uncontested scrums.

To prevent teams abusing this dispensation, the team lacking one or more props may not qualify for any more than a total of 2 league points for a win.  

Losing Bonus Points and Try Bonus Points still apply as normal.

6.4       League Scoring System

6.5       Both teams must notify the League Administrator, in writing, of the score, together with details of any bonus points claimed, within 72 hours of the final whistle.

Please do not submit multiple results from multiple weekends in on one mail as this makes the administration of the leagues very difficult and also masks the true league positions. 

Please send results in as matches are played.

Please do not forget to note the number of tries scored – try bonus points. 

(A number of teams have missed out on these points previously as tries scored were not sent in alongside results.)

6.6       Please notify if matches are cancelled.  Please note reason for cancellation – this must be received for recording purposes.

6.7       Where a scheduled fixture between two teams is cancelled for any reason other than adverse weather, a cup match or an unfit pitch, the league points will be awarded to the non‑offending club unless both clubs agree to rearrange the fixture. 

Points for Cancelled Match – CANDY leagues only (not applicable for Merit League)

Where both clubs agree to rearrange the fixture they must inform the League Administrator within 72 hours of the game being rearranged.  In rearranging the fixture the teams may arrange it as a double header, subject to written confirmation being received from both clubs by the Leagues Administrator

Please try and re-arrange the match that has been called off, but if you are unable to re-arrange or agree on a double header, you can claim the points for the match. 

If you do claim the points for a cancelled match, you forfeit the right to switch the return fixture to the home of the non-offending team.

Once you have set a date to re play a match, you cannot claim the points unless the re-arranged fixture is then also cancelled.

Points cannot be claimed for merit league matches.  The very nature of this league, based around ad hoc matches, means that PFCM is not applicable.  The Merit League is updated weekly based around any friendly or ad hoc matches picked up via the fixture exchange with the fixture and result notified in the normal way.

6.8       Double Header Games

When a game is cancelled for reasons of adverse weather, cup competition or an unfit pitch, the  Competitions Committee encourages clubs to rearrange the game. If this is not possible, any second fixture between the sides may be played for double league points if the clubs agree (Double Header Match).  The Leagues Administrator must be informed as soon as possible of this decision, and before the game takes place, otherwise the fixture will be scored as for one game, not two.

Once the double header has been agreed, the agreement between fixture secretaries / team representatives is final.

Double headers offer the doubling of all points (including bonus points).

Should the double header game be cancelled, the non-offending side on the day of the fixture will be awarded full points. 

7          Game On Principles

7.1       Shortage of Players

Please try and honour the fixture.

When teams play short please ensure that you play with equal numbers.  

The opposition are encouraged to lend players to the team that are short. 

As teams may not be playing with a full complement, if both sides agree, the time played can be reduced to two halves of 30 minutes or the size of the pitch may be reduced. 

Common sense should be used to adapt the game to the number of players available.

“Game on” allows for uncontested lineouts as well as uncontested scrums.

7.2       Uncontested Scrums

Matches can still be played with uncontested scrums from the start.

There are still league points to be won even if you don’t have a front row.  

Please refer to rule 7.1 – don’t cancel the match – play it even if you are short of players.  

Adapt the numbers so if necessary, you are playing 12 v 12, 13 v 13 etc but please make sure there is never more than a one-person advantage if you are playing short – keep the numbers as even a possible.

8          Condition of Ground

In the event of the ground being rendered unfit by weather, the home side shall notify the visiting side at the earliest reasonable time and arrangements made to play the game at an alternative venue or time. Should the teams arrive at the ground and the two captains fail to agree the fitness of the ground, the referee shall decide the fitness or otherwise. 

9          Match Cancellations

Where the first scheduled game between two teams is cancelled for any reason other than adverse weather, a cup match or an unfit pitch, the league points will be awarded to the non‑offending club unless the Competitions Committee rules otherwise.

If the cancellation was by the visiting team then the return fixture will be played at the ground of the non‑offending club.

10        Match Cancellations due weather and cup competitions

Provision has been made for cancellations due to bad weather and cup competitions.

As no one is at fault, matches will be recorded as a 0-0 draw so each team receives 2 points for a draw.

County Cup matches take precedent over CANDY League matches. 

11        Postponed and abandoned matches

11.1     If Weather Conditions (as defined in RFU Regulation 1) prevent a match being played or a match is abandoned because of such conditions with less than sixty minutes having been played, it shall be re played.

11.2     If a match is abandoned because of weather conditions when sixty or more minutes have been played, then the score at the moment of abandonment shall stand and be deemed the final score in the match. The Referees decisions as to the necessity for abandonment and the number of minutes played at the moment of abandonment shall be final.

11.3     If a match is abandoned for any other reason other than Weather conditions, then irrespective of the number of minutes played, the match will be reconvened on another pitch at the hosting venue if a suitable pitch is available and safe in accordance with World Rugby Regulations.

11.4     If no alternate pitch is available (as deemed by the Match Official) then the result will be reviewed and determined by the Committee who may order the match to be replayed or allow the result to stand and impose such other sanctions as it deems appropriate.

12        Failure to Fulfill Fixtures / Communicate Results

The Committee may seek to remove a team from any league if there is a persistent problem. In the event of a team being removed from a league, all points relating to games with that team will be deleted.

13        Reporting of match result

Match results must be submitted via the CANDY and County Results and Fixtures Whatsapp Group or e‑mailed to the Leagues Administrator (claire.sharpe@northumberlandrfu.co.uk). 

14        The Trophies

14.1     The President and the Hon. Secretary of the Northumberland Rugby Union shall be for all intent and purposes, the legal owners of all trophies on trust for the Union and shall only hand them over to the winning Club upon receiving an undertaking for their safe return when requested.

14.2     Clubs holding the trophies shall be responsible for the cost of repair for any damage incurred whilst in their possession. Any such repairs that are required will be commissioned by the Competitions Committee.

14.3     Clubs holding trophies must return them one month in advance of the following Season Final for them to be engraved. 

15        Complaints, disputes and reviews

15.1     Complaints, disputes and requests for review should, in the first instance, be made by clubs to the Chairman of the Competitions Committee in writing via the County Office.  Such complaints, disputes and review matters shall initially to be heard by the Committee, which in the event of a complaint, dispute and/or review shall as a minimum comprise a committee of three persons including the Chairperson of the Competitions Committee who will decide on the matter.  All proceedings are confidential and shall take place in private.

15.2     The Committee can, of its own volition, set up a review when information has come to hand which could indicate that there may have been a breach of the rules.

15.3     All grievances concerning the playing or non‑playing of fixtures and the playing of ineligible players must be notified to the Chairman of the Competitions Committee within 48 hours of the game taking place.  A formal written request for an investigation into allegations must be submitted within 7 days.

15.4     In dealing with any of the matters in this regard, no Competitions Committee member, who is a member of the clubs involved may participate in the investigative process.

15.5     Once investigations have been undertaken, the Committee or a subgroup thereof will consider the matter, and the clubs concerned will be informed of the decision at the earliest opportunity.  

16        Right of Appeal

16.1     If a club does not agree with the decision or wishes to present mitigating circumstances, it may appeal to the Competitions Committee setting out the grounds for the appeal, within 48 hours of the decision being announced.  If a decision is so appealed, the Director of Rugby shall inform the Hon Secretary who will then convene an Appeals Panel.  This may be in writing (or electronically) or if the appellant club so wishes, it shall hear the matter orally in accordance with the established procedures as set out in Appendix A.  The results of any appeal will be produced in writing setting out the reasons for the decision.

16.2     A club/player always has the further right of appeal to the RFU.

Appendix A

Procedure for hearing oral League and Merit Table Competition appeals, complaints and reviews

1. The Panel

The panel shall normally consist of three members including a Chairman.  Wherever possible, it shall include persons who have in depth knowledge of competitions rules and regulations and have an understanding of good legal practice. No person who has previously been involved in the matter and no person with a vested interest in the outcome shall be a member of the panel. They may however participate as an advocate or as a witness.

A secretary should be appointed to set out the facts and record any findings.

The proceedings will be carried out in line with the principles and procedures set out in the Rules of the Rugby Football Union (Disciplinary Procedures). Observers may be present subject to the approval of the panel.

2. Introduction.

The Chairman shall introduce the panel and appellant club representatives and explain procedure. At this juncture, the chairman must ask if the appellant has any objection to any member of the panel.

3. Process

The secretary will set out a statement of the events and facts leading to appeal, including, as appropriate, the original alleged breach(s) of regulations citing the specific regulation(s) together with any other relevant facts and detail.

Any documentary evidence relating to the matter shall then be presented.

One club official or appointed advocate shall set out the grounds for appeal.  He may be accompanied by one other member of his club.  On completion of his/her submission, he/she may be questioned by any member of the panel. Witnesses of fact may then give evidence on the club behalf in support of the appeal. Each witness may be cross examined on the evidence by the parties and any member of the panel.

The club official or appointed advocate shall be invited to sum up.

4. Deliberation and Findings

Panel deliberates on the issues in the absence of the club official or appointed advocate, and any observers.

The findings and judgments of the panel to be delivered. This may be reserved to take advice from the RFU or given orally at the time but must be set out in writing thereafter.

Procedure for hearing written League and Merit Table competition appeals, complaints and reviews

The Panel shall be constituted as set out above and the written evidence and submissions considered.

The Panel having deliberated on the issues shall deliver their findings as in 4 above.