1. Competitions
The Council shall each year organise various league and cup competitions for Full Member clubs.

2. Number of matches
Excepting the midweek mixed league, in League competitions it is the aim of the Council to ensure per season a maximum of ten matches and a minimum of eight matches per team whenever possible. In the midweek mixed league, it is the aim of the Council to ensure per season a maximum of fourteen matches and a minimum of eight matches per Team whenever possible.

3. League size
No league shall comprise of more than eleven teams.

4. Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and Relegation in the various divisions for Men, Ladies and Mixed shall be normally as follows:
a. The first and second teams in each division shall be promoted and the last two teams relegated.
b. However, no more than two teams from the same club shall be permitted to play in the First division of any of the leagues.
c. In the case where two teams from the same club play in the same division they will play each other in the opening match of the season where possible.

d. In the case where two teams from the same club play in the same division and there are home and away fixtures the second match should be scheduled no later than the middle fixture of the season where possible.

5. Restriction on Promotion
 When the constitution of a league is affected by the withdrawal of a team from the competition, the higher placed of the the teams due to be relegated shall remain in the division it is in.

6. Venue
In divisions where only one match is played between competing teams wherever possible the courts for any match shall be that upon which the corresponding match of the preceding season was not played. The decision of the League Secretary is final.

7. League placings
In all matches a win shall count as two points and a draw one point and the number of points secured shall decide the order of the teams, the highest being first. In the event of teams finishing the season with an equal number of points, the position of the teams in the division shall be decided by the percentage of rubbers, then sets and then games won.

8. Defaulting
If a team shall in any match scratch to the opposing team, the latter shall be awarded the match, i.e. all rubbers, sets and games.  Any team not fulfilling more than half of their fixtures shall have all their results for that season nullified.

9. Non-fulfilment of fixture
a.  A team conceding or not attending to play an inter-club match shall be fined £10 per match, and shall have one point deducted from their total in that league.  If a  Team is unable to contest at least half of the rubbers, then they must concede the match.
b.  A team conceding or not attending to play either of its last two matches shall be fined £10 per match and shall have two points deducted from their total in that league.  A team shall be deemed to have conceded unless at least half of the rubbers can be contested.

In the event that both teams can only field two pairs, and the rubbers are level at the completion of the match then sets won will be counted to decide the winning team.  If sets won are also equal then games won will be counted.  If games won are equal the match shall be declared a draw.c. A team withdrawing from a league after the fixtures have been published shall be fined £20.

10. Championship trophies
The team winning the championship in each division shall be awarded the Championship Trophy of that division, to be held by such team in trust and returned by the 1st of October. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £5 per trophy.

11. Not used

12. Player membership and transfer of players
a. Every player representing a club in inter-club competitions must be a bona-fide member of that club. If requested by the League Secretary, a club will be required to provide evidence that a player is a member.
b. In any one season, a player shall not play for more than one club in any particular league or knockout competition unless transferred to the second club.
c. A transfer to a second Club is permissible provided that
(i) He/she is a bona-fide member of the second club, and
(ii) He/she has a written release from his/her former club, and
(iii) The transfer is notified to and accepted by the league secretary.
d. No player shall represent more than two clubs in inter-club competition in any one season.
e. Infringement of this bye-law will result in loss of all games, sets and rubbers gained by the offending player(s).

13. Eligibility of players
a. No player may play in a team's last two matches of the season if he or she has already played three or more matches for the club's higher team(s), unless he or she has already played at least two matches for the team in question or lower team(s). This to be construed as the last two matches actually to be played and not the last two matches printed in the fixture list.
b. If a club fails to field a team in a higher division whilst fielding a team, or teams, in a lower division(s) all rubbers, sets and games won by the lower team(s) will be forfeited.
c. In the event of a club fielding an incomplete higher team or teams whilst fielding a lower team or teams, complete or otherwise, on the same day, the rubbers, sets and games won by the most successful couple in each of the lower team or teams (or couples in the event of more than one incomplete higher team being fielded) shall be forfeited.
d. In the event of re-arranged matches, only members of the team in question, or lower team(s), may be selected. Players who clearly would be recognized as members of a higher team must not be selected.
e. Teams should be selected on merit and in the true spirit of "Fair play".  Where in the opinion of the committee any club fails to adhere to this then the committee may take whatever action it sees fit.

14. Rescheduling
A match can be "rescheduled" i.e. a new date agreed in advance, where a club is exceptionally involved in galas or LTA National Tournaments (LTA Summer Series do not count) and the use of courts by non-Association events.  In such cases the club concerned shall notify the appropriate League Secretary, not later than the Annual General Meeting, of the dates involved in such events wherever possible.  The home club must offer four alternative dates, within plus or minus two weeks of the arranged date, to the visiting club.  If the clubs cannot agree to a mutual date within the specified period, the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee for a decision for a date for the match.    

15. Inclement weather

15a)

Away clubs MUST travel to their opponent’s courts before making a decision on their suitability for play, unless the home team has advised them not to travel.  If the captains cannot agree whether the courts are playable then the match must be postponed. If the match is not played the League Secretary should be notified by the home club’s Match Secretary within three days that the match has not been played. The home team’s Match Secretary should offer three dates to the away team’s Match Secretary. The Match Secretary for each club must, within 7 days, agree a replay date if necessary under bye-law 15d).  The agreed date must be no later than three weeks after the date for the last match of the season for the appropriate league and notified to the League Secretary by the home club's Match Secretary within 10 days of the original date for the match.  If the League Secretary is not notified of a replay date within the 10-day limit and is satisfied that there has not been enough of an attempt from either or both teams to rearrange the match then the League Secretary will re-schedule the match to be played on a date which they consider to be most appropriate for both teams. Once a date has been agreed and notified to the League Secretary, there shall be no further rearrangement of the date other than for inclement weather.

15b) The free Saturday - Men's League
If a Men's League match is postponed or abandoned then, unless clubs agree an alternative date in accordance with 15a) above, the "free Saturday" i.e. that Saturday between the end of the Men's League and the start of the Mixed and Late Summer Men's League, shall be the replay date unless either club have already agreed to this date for a previously postponed or abandoned match.  Any further postponement is subject to bye-law 15a).

15c) Floodlights
Where floodlights are used and have to be switched off at a time stipulated under the club's rules or in accordance with local planning permission for use of floodlights, the home captain must inform the visiting captain prior to commencement of the match of the time the floodlights will be switched off, whatever the match score.

15d) Completion of abandoned match
(i) If at the time of abandonment ONE TEAM HAS REACHED A WINNING SCORE, that score shall be the final match score.
(ii) If a winning score has not been reached, the match shall be replayed in its entirety.

Re-arranged league matches cannot be played in the Senior Tournament week.

16. Results of matches
a) Match results must be uploaded by the home team on to the LTA website within THREE days of the match.  The HOME team is to complete all the fields for the match played then press the save button. Each club will be issued with login detail to the following link: http://competitions.lta.org.uk. If the result has been entered but a mistake has been made, the AWAY team will need to raise a dispute rather than confirming the result as correct. Any club failing to observe this rule shall be fined £5 on each occasion. 

b) In addition to the above, a clear copy of the scorecard is to be kept, by the HOME club, to be available if required by the League Secretary. 

c) Players are required to be registered with the LTA and assigned to their club.

d) Where a match has been conceded, the team awarded the match should forward, within THREE days, the names of the players who would have played to the League Secretary using the email results@sdlta.org.uk.  These players shall then be deemed to have played for the purpose of Bye-law 13.  

17. Discipline

Each team shall have a designated captain. The appointed captains of teams, on any match day, have a responsibility to ensure that the following conditions are met:
a. To liaise with his/her opposing captain immediately on arrival at the courts to make them aware of any problems that may exist. Put names on the score sheet.
b. To ensure that members of his/her team are dressed in recognized tennis apparel. Tracksuits and/or sweatshirts may be worn in inclement weather.
c. To ensure that the behaviour of players and spectators representing his/her club is of the acceptable standard for match tennis. In particular foul and abusive language, and threatening behaviour is not acceptable.
d. To make sure that the score card and score sheet is made out and signed by both captains.

18. Differences and disputes
It is the expectation that captains will deal with issues on the day of a match.  If this does not happen then the two club secretaries should deal with any disputes.  If this does not resolve the issue then brief details of the issue should be emailed to the League Secretary of the Association within one week and to the Secretary of the other club or clubs concerned.  The League Secretary will, if necessary, appoint a disciplinary committee.  If the clubs feel that this has not resolved the issue then independent members of the Management Committee will settle all differences and disputes.  The representatives of clubs involved in any dispute may be called to attend a meeting. After stating their case they shall retire at the request of the Chairman and shall not take part in the deliberations of the Management Committee while the matter is being considered.  In cases of unacceptable behaviour, persistent offenders will be required to attend a disciplinary committee appointed by the Management Committee (with a club representative if required) to explain their behaviour and, if the complaint is upheld, their club may be fined or the player may be suspended from S & D LTA competitions.

19. LTA Rules The competitions and play are subject to the rules and laws of the Lawn Tennis Association, a copy of which should be available at every club.

20. Provision of balls The club on whose courts a match is being played shall provide no fewer than twelve balls per nine rubber match or, in the case of a four rubber match, eight new balls.  The balls shall be of a make selected for match play for that season.  The make or makes of ball to be used during the ensuing season shall be approved at the Council Meeting following the Annual General Meeting.

21. Court surface
In the event of the home club having more than one type of court surface they shall have the right to specify which courts will be used, but each of the visiting pairs must be allowed to play all their rubbers on the same court.  However, in the event of inclement weather after a match has commenced, courts of a different type may be used by mutual agreement of the two captains. Where more than one type of surface is to be used for the match it shall be the visiting team that selects which surface shall be used for its couples.

22. Men's, Ladies' and Saturday mixed matches
a)  All Men's and Saturday Mixed matches shall consist of nine rubbers - doubles (i.e. each pair plays three rubbers).  The captain of each team shall, before the match commences, provide a list of each pair of doubles players (constituting a team) in what he/she honestly believes the order of playing merit, for the first round.  If the matches have started no substitutes shall be allowed for players who have already taken part in the match.

b)  All Men’s and Saturday Mixed Matches to be played on Saturdays, shall commence at 2:00 p.m.  or earlier, if agreed by both teams.  Any couple not on court and ready to play, 15 minutes after the agreed start time, will forfeit the first set.  The first rubber will be conceded, if not on court and ready to play, 45 minutes after the agreed start time.  The second rubber will be conceded, 75 minutes after the agreed start time, if not on court and ready to play.   Matches shall comprise two sets (tie break to 7 at 6 all).  In the event of the rubber standing at one set all a tie break to 10 (2 clear points) shall be played to decide the rubber.  This tie break is to be treated as a new set but recorded as a set on the scorecard.   The Official LTA Tie Break shall be played in all sets at 6 all. 

c)  All Ladies' matches shall consist of four rubbers - doubles (i.e. a team of two pairs each plays two rubbers).  Matches shall be played on Thursdays and will commence at 6:00 p..m (with prior communication some flexibility is allowed for teams having to travel long distance).  Any couple not on court ready to play by 15 minutes from the start time will forfeit the first set, the second set of the first rubber to be conceded if not on court and ready to play by 45 minutes from the start time.  The second rubber to be conceded if not on court ready to play by 75 minutes from the start time.  Rubbers will consist of two sets to be played to 6 games.  Where the score gets to 6-6, the official LTA seven point tie-break shall be played to decide the winner of the set. If a deciding set needs to be played this should be a champions tie-break (i.e. to 10).  This deciding tie-break shall be treated as a new set and recorded as a set om the scorecard. Normal deuce will be played throughout. The winner of the match will be decided by firstly, rubbers won, then sets won and then games won.  

d) Home clubs MUST provide light refreshments for all matches i.e. Men's, Ladies and Saturday Mixed matches.

 e) In the event that both teams can only field two pairs, and the rubbers are level at the completion of the match then sets won will be counted to decide the winning team.  If sets won are also equal then games won will be counted.  If games won are equal the match shall be declared a draw.

f)  If a team can only field one pair, in a two pair match, then they concede the match.

23. Midweek Mixed and Late Summer Ladies matches
a) All matches shall consist of four rubbers - doubles (i.e. each pair plays two rubbers).  The captain of each team shall, before the match commences, provide a list of each pair of doubles players (constituting a team) in what he honestly believes the order of playing merit, for the first round.  If the matches have started no substitutes shall be allowed for players who have already taken part in a match.  All Midweek Mixed matches to be played on Tuesdays shall commence at 6:00 p.m.   All Late Summer Ladies League matches to be played on a Thursday shall commence at 6:00 p.m.  Any couple not on court and ready to play, 15 minutes after the agreed start time, will forfeit the first set.  The first rubber will be conceded, if not on court and ready to play, 45 minutes after the agreed start time.  The second rubber will be conceded, 75 minutes after the agreed start time, if not on court and ready to play. Both Midweek Mixed and Late Summer Ladies leagues shall comprise two sets (tie break to 7 at 6-all).  In the event of the rubber standing at one set all, a tie break to 10 (2 clear points) shall be played to decide the rubber.  This tie break is to be treated as a new set and recorded as a set on the scorecard.  If rubbers are level at the completion of the match then sets won will be counted to decide the winning team.  If sets won are also equal then games won will be counted.  If games won are equal the match shall be declared a draw.  Home Clubs must provide light refreshments for all midweek matches.

b) If a team can only field one pair then they concede the match.

24. Late Summer Men's League
a) All matches shall consist of four rubbers - doubles (i.e. each pair plays two rubbers). The captain of each team shall, before the match commences, provide a list of each pair of doubles players (constituting a team) in what he honestly believes the order of playing merit, for the first round. If the matches have started no substitutes shall be allowed for players who have already taken part in a match. Matches shall be played on Saturdays with a 2:00 p.m. start, or earlier, if agreed by both teams.  Any couple not on court to play, 15 minutes after the agreed start time, will forfeit the first set.  The first rubber will be conceded, if not on court and ready to play, 45 minutes after the agreed start time. The second rubber will be conceded, 75 minutes after the agreed start time, if not on court and ready to play. All matches to comprise best of three sets. The official LTA Tie Break shall be played in all sets at 6-all. If rubbers are level at the completion of the match then sets won will be counted to decide the winning team. If sets won are also equal then games won will be counted. If games won are equal the match shall be declared a draw. Home Club shall provide light refreshments.

b) If a team can only field one pair then they concede the match.

25. Rowlinson Cup 

Teams shall consist of three men and three ladies. Matches shall consist of a total of 9 mixed doubles matches with 3 mixed doubles pairs. Where a club enters more than one team in the competition any player from that club may only represent one team. Pairs shall be numbered 1, 2 and 3. The Management Committee will nominate dates for all matches. However, if both teams agree, matches other than the final may be played prior to the nominated date, otherwise the match must be played on the nominated date. The final will be played on a nominated Sunday. For matches played in an evening with a six o'clock start, any couple not on court ready to play by 6:15p.m. will forfeit the first rubber. The second rubber to be conceded if not on court ready to play by 7:00p.m. and all three rubbers by 7:45p.m.  All Rowlinson matches scheduled to be played on a Sunday shall commence at 1:00 p.m.  Any couple not on court to play by 1:15 p.m. will forfeit the first rubber.  The second rubber to be conceded if not on court ready to play by 2:00 p.m. and all three rubbers by 2:45 p.m.  All matches shall comprise of one set with a winning pair being the first to ten games. The Official LTA Tie Break shall be played in all sets at 9-all. To be eligible for the final a player must have played for that club in either the League or Rowlinson Cup in the current summer season.   

26. Winter League

a.         Winter Teams shall consist of two men and two ladies.

b.         Matches shall comprise of two sets (Tie break to 7 at 6-6), with a Men’s and Ladies doubles followed by two mixed doubles, with a 10-point tie break to be played to decide the rubber if sets stand at 1-1. This tie break is to be treated as a set and recorded on the scorecard as a set. 

c.         Matches will start at 1pm, unless specifically agreed by both captains. 

d.         Afternoon matches: Any couple not on court to play by 15 minutes after the agreed start time will forfeit the first set.  The first rubber is to be conceded if not on court to play by 45 minutes after the agreed start time.  The second rubber is to be conceded if not on court by 1 hour and 15 minutes after the agreed start time. 

e.         Home clubs should provide light refreshments.

f.         Entries for the post season Knockout Tournament will be requested in January each year. Only members who have played in two or more Winter League matches are eligible to play in the Knockout Tournament.

27. Withdrawal of teams from the Summer Leagues

a.    Clubs wishing to withdraw a team from the league must inform the General Secretary before the AGM Meeting in February.   

b.    When deciding which team to withdraw, a club must do so with integrity and in the spirit of fair competition. This is a last resort and should be done with the sole intention of providing available match players with access to league tennis that is most suitable to their level.  

c.    Clubs withdrawing a team before the start of the season will incur one of the following fines:  

       1. Withdrawal up to 2 weeks before the start of the season £20.  

       2. Withdrawal less than 2 weeks before the start of the season £50.   

28. Order of Play

The following order for play shall be followed depending on the number of pairs.