HARRISON-ALLEN BOWL COMPETITION RULES

This magnificent bowl was donated by the late Mrs Auriol Evans of Cresselly Cricket Club.
Mr Hugh Harrison-Allen and Puffin Produce Ltd. sponsor the final.

1. Harrison-Allen Bowl

The Competition shall be known as the Harrison-Allen Challenge Bowl Competition, and shall be organised by the Pembroke County Cricket Club. The Competition shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket, except where these are varied by the Competition Rules.

2. Trophy retention

The Bowl will be presented on the day, returned to the County Club for retention by Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen, and the replica held by the winners for one year.

3. Entrance eligibility

Only those Clubs which are affiliated to the Pembroke County Cricket Club may enter the Competition.

4. Eligibility of players

All players taking part in the competition shall be bona-fide playing members of their respective clubs. A bone-fide member is one as defined by League Rule 6 and who has completed and returned a registration form. If a player wishes to register on the day of the match, the registration form must be completed before the start of play on that day, and returned to the Player Registration Officer not later than three days following the completion of the match. The onus of proving a player is a bona-fide playing member as defined above, rests with the club concerned.

A player who has already taken part in any competition organised by the Pembroke County Cricket Club (except as a substitute fields-man) shall be ineligible to play for any other club in the same year except when transferred under League Rule 7 and has not played in a completed match in this competition in that year. A completed match is one in which the result of it has been ascertained. Any player who has been nominated as a player at the commencement of a completed match, shall be deemed to have played in that match.

Players who are selected in a Regional under 12 squad in the spring, for a summer squad are eligible to play open age cricket. This is providing they are at least 11 years old and are in school Year 7 on 1st September in the year preceding the season.

For these players to play open age cricket, clubs must obtain written parental consent and a written agreement from both the Regional Under 12 Head Coach and the Regional Cricket Manager. (As of 2021 the Cricket Wales West Under 12 Head Coach and the Cricket Wales West Regional Manager).

In allowing these players to play in open age cricket, it is essential that clubs and coaches recognise the ‘duty of care‘ obligations they have towards these young players.

Players who are not in a regional squad must wait until they reach the Under 13 age group, be in school Year 8 and be 12 years old on 1st September in the year preceding the season, before being able to play open age cricket. As before written parental consent is required for these players.

For the purpose of this rule, Pembrokeshire is considered a Region (as of 2021 Cricket Wales West). Should any club field an under-age player then that club may be liable to a fine not exceeding £50 and will lose all points awarded for that match.

The league referred to as above is the Pembroke County Cricket League which also includes the Pembroke County Junior League.

5. Admission Charges

Where a charge for admission is made at any match except the Final Round, any monies received shall be divided equally between the two clubs involved in the match after expenses have been paid.

In the Semi Final, all monies collected will go to the home club (The ground being used for the match).

Expenses of £15 per umpire will be shared by the two participating clubs and must be paid before the match starts.

6. Final Admission Charges

All monies taken at the Final Round shall be paid into the funds of the Pembroke County Cricket Club

7. Ground and Fielding restrictions/Fixture reversal

Home Clubs shall be responsible for the match arrangements in each round except the Semi-Final and Final Rounds. The grounds to be used in all rounds except the Final Round will be decided by the Pembroke County Cricket Club. The grounds to be used in the Semi-Final Rounds shall be neutral grounds. The Final Round will be played on the ground of Cresselly Cricket Club.

The dates of all matches will be arranged by the Pembroke County Cricket Club. Except in the Final Round, in the event of a match not being played to completion on the arranged date due to the unfitness of the ground, weather or light, it must be played on the next evening that the fitness of the ground, weather, or light allow, and in accordance with agreed priorities and regulations covering re-arranged matches and this includes both a Friday and Monday evening. This can also include Sunday, provided BOTH clubs are in agreement. The exception to this is that if one of the clubs have a confirmed home junior game that night which is a Monday or Wednesday which is a junior evening. If there is any dispute a confirmation e-mail can be requested.

If due to exceptional circumstances a cup fixture cannot be completed within five days of the scheduled date then the Executive Committee reserves the right to insist that the fixture be changed to the ground of the team drawn to play away. To avoid any misunderstanding the five days shall start on the day following the date on which the match was due to be played and shall exclude weekends and bank holidays.

The following rule to apply in all matches of the competition:
At the moment of delivery a minimum of four fieldsmen (plus the bowler and wicket-keeper) must be within an area bounded by two semi-circles centred on each middle stump (each with a radius of 30 yards) and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire shall call “No Ball”.
The fielding circle should be marked by painted white “dots” at five (5) yard intervals by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven (7”) inches in diameter.

8. Wide/No Ball deliveries

If a ball is delivered in such a manner that the striker is denied the opportunity of playing a normal cricket stroke from a normal guard position then the umpire shall call and signal “Wide Ball”.

Any ball that passes both the striker and the striker’s wicket on the leg side without touching the striker’s bat or person shall be deemed a “Wide Ball”, unless the striker moves to allow the ball to pass down the leg side. This rule does not apply to ladies cricket.

Free Hit after a foot-fault no ball ... the delivery following a no ball called for a foot fault (Law 24.5) shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.
For any free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.
The umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion.

For all matches, additional crease markings shall be in place, with lines marked parallel to the return creases, joining the bowling and popping creases, the outer edge of this line being 17 inches from the inside of the return crease.
Any ball that passes both the striker and the striker’s wicket outside of this line, on the offside of the striker in his/her normal guard position, shall be called a wide delivery by the umpire.
This rule does not apply to matches played in the Duggie Morris Cup, Alec Colley Cup, Ormond Youth Cup/Plate or Ladies Cricket.

9. Bad Light & covering of pitches

In the case of bad light Law 3 of the Laws of Cricket (2000) Code shall apply. In the case of bad weather and the fitness of the ground for play, the umpires’ decision will be final.

Covering of Pitches: In all rounds except the Final Round, Law 11 of the Laws of Cricket shall apply. In the Final Round, (a) before the start of the match, Law 11.1 of the Laws of Cricket shall apply, and (b) during the match, the pitch shall be completely covered if suitable covers are available, otherwise Law 11.3 of the Laws of Cricket may apply.

10. County Fixtures

No match shall be played on any date on which there is a senior Pembroke County Cricket fixture without the consent of the Executive and Finance Committee of the Pembroke County Cricket Club. The Executive and Finance Committee of the Pembroke County Cricket Club shall be authorised, on request, to alter the date of a cup fixture if any player from the clubs involved is chosen to play for Wales in an International fixture. This will not apply to Wales Over 50 fixtures, or to players under the age of fourteen years chosen to play for the Pembroke County Cricket Club. In exceptional circumstances the Executive Committee reserves the right to change the venue and date of any cup final.

11. Umpires

The Umpires to stand in all Bowl Matches in the Competition shall be appointed by the Pembroke County Cricket Club, who may delegate these duties to the Pembroke Association of Cricket Officials.

Expenses of £15 per Umpire will be shared by the participating Clubs, and must be paid before the match starts.

Where only one appointed umpire is present and umpires at the bowler’s end for both innings, then the participating clubs will each pay that umpire £10.

Umpires travelling to cup matches which are called off and no start has been made shall be paid expenses of £10 each. If both clubs are present when the match is called off, the expenses will be shared by both clubs. In the event of a cancelled match without notice being given to the umpires the expenses of £10 each will be paid by the home team.

12. Match Ball

The fielding side shall be responsible (in all rounds except the final) for providing a suitable leather ball, which must bear the official P.C.C.C. stamp as approved by the Pembroke County Cricket Club Executive Committee. In the final round the Pembroke County Cricket Club shall provide two new leather balls, as approved by the Executive Committee.

In the event of any side failing to provide an approved ball as indicated above, such failure shall be reported to the Executive Committee, who may, at their discretion, fine and/or expel that Club Side from the competition.

13. Match commencement & Non-Fulfilment

All matches played in the evening should start at 6.00 pm, but in the event of bona-fide difficulties, a late start up to 6.15 pm may be made.

In the event of a team being unable to start at 6.15 pm the Club which is not ready to start shall forfeit the match.

No bowler may bowl, if he/she takes the field after the start of play, for the same length of time that he/she has been absent since the start of the match.

Any club which fails to fulfil a cup fixture will be liable to a fine not exceeding £50 and pay any expenses which may have been incurred.

14. Matches called off

Cup games can only be called off with the agreement of both sides. If an away side feels that the game should not be called off they will inform the home side that they will request umpires to attend. At the ground, if the umpires feel it should have been played, the game will be rescheduled on the opponents ground the next available night and the home side shall bear the costs of the umpires for the cancelled game. If the umpires support the decision of the home side, the game will be played at the same ground on the next available night and the umpires shall be reimbursed by the away side.

15a. Power Play

The first 5 overs of each innings will be deemed a Power Play, where the fielding side are restricted to having two fielders outside of the 30 yard restricted fielding area. If this is not complied with a no ball will be called in accordance with rule 7 on page 42.

​15b. Match length/Bowling restrictions/Match result

Each match shall consist of twenty-two (22) overs for each innings. No bowler may bowl more than six (6) overs in an innings. Part of an over will count as a full over in so far as each bowler’s limit is concerned. The counting of the overs is the responsibility of the Umpires and only if they disagree shall the scorers be consulted.

The team which scores the highest number of runs shall win the match.

16. Number of Innings

(a) One innings for each side shall be played in all the Preliminary rounds.
(b) The Final Round shall consist of two (2) innings for each side, and the side which bats first shall not have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings, nor shall there be any declaration or forfeiture of innings.

17. Tied matches

(a) In the event of a tie in the preliminary rounds an additional over will be bowled with a new toss. Normal fielding restrictions will be played (No power play) and the bowler must be nominated and the batting order given to the umpires. If the match is still a tie additional overs shall be bowled until a result has been obtained.

(b) Not withstanding Rule 18, in the event of a tie in the final (i.e. on the date of scheduled at the start of the season for the final to take place) each team shall bat one (1) additional over with a new toss. The team scoring the most runs will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie at the end of the extra period play then the match will be awarded to the side scoring the most runs in the first innings. In the event of the match still being tied, the match be awarded to the team having lost the least number of wickets in the first innings. If the result is still a tie the match will be awarded to the team which has scored the most runs off the bat in the first innings. If the result is still a tie, then five from each side will bowl at the wickets. If the result is still a tie then a sudden death bowl off will take place.

18. Final

Should the Final be postponed due to weather or any other circumstances, or should the final commence but not completed for any reason then when the game is replayed the following will apply.

Should a result not be obtained, or should the final result in a tie, then the match will be awarded to the side scoring the most runs in the first innings. In the event of the match still being tied, the match will be awarded to the team having lost the least number of wickets in the first innings. If the result is still a tie, the match will be awarded to the team which has scored the most runs off the bat in the first innings. If the result is still a tie then five players from each side will bowl at the wickets. Should the result still be tied then a sudden death bowl off will take place.

19. Result Notification

The result of the match shall be notified to the Cup Organiser of the County Club no later than three days after the match has been completed by the team playing at home. The result will be notified to the Cup Organiser by way of a result card/teamsheet, which must be signed by the umpires appointed for the match. The teamsheet must contain the names of eleven nominated bona-fide members of their club. The team sheet must include the First and Surname of all players taking part. Should two players have identical names then any nickname or other identifying name must be used. Additionally where an incomplete team sheet is sent in to the Cup Organiser the side that has failed to complete its section of the team sheet will be liable for a fine not exceeding £50.

20. Protests

Any notification of protest shall be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary, Pembroke County Cricket Club within three (3) days after any match. A fee of £5 shall accompany the protest.

21. Rule amendments

Any amendments to the rules of this competition shall be made at the Annual General Meeting of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, a simple majority being necessary to carry or reject such amendments. Notice of motion of such amendments to be sent to the Hon. Secretary 28 days before the meeting.

22. Any other issues

The decision of the Pembroke County Cricket Club Executive Committee shall be final in all matters concerning the Competition.

23. Trophies

Miniature cups or medals will be presented to each participant in the Final of the Harrison-Allen Bowl Competition, including the Umpires, 12th men, and scorers.

24. Match venue

The venue of any match shall not be changed except with the consent of the Executive Committee.