When signing up, teams confirm that all players in the team are Bona Fide Partners/ Directors or employees of the firm as at the date of the competition, also that a full list of the names of squad members will be returned to the Committee one week prior to the event. If an illegal player is fielded or if there is failure to present the full team the organising committee have full discretion to take any decision, they see fit as being in the interest of the Tournament.
DATE & VENUE
This year’s Tournament takes place on Friday 8th May 2026 and will be held as usual at the RICHMOND ATHLETIC GROUND.
ENTRY FEES
The entry fee will be £3,900 (+VAT if applicable).
CLOSING DATE
The closing date for entries this year is Monday 27th MARCH 2026
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The tournament will comprise of 20+ teams.
The structure of the tournament will be run on a group basis with 6 groups of 4 teams. Each team will play 3 matches in their respective groups. Thereafter the tournament will be on a knockout basis with both Cup and Plate competitions. The winners of the 6 groups will go through to the cup along with the two best runners up. The Plate will be contested by the next 4 best runners up from each group along with the best 4 third placed teams in each group.
EVENT PROGRAMME
The entry fee entitles the entrant to a half page advertisement in a newly formatted event programme which will be bound and circulated with Property Week, the weekend prior to the tournament. Furthermore, the programme will be sold independently on the day of the tournament with all proceeds going to the chosen charity. The adverts can be increased in size and ‘premium pages’ are available at an additional cost. Property Week is dealing with the programme and further details will be available on request.
POOL STAGE MATCHES
The first round of games will be played in pools on a round robin basis. For the composition of pools please see competition specific information. Following the pool round there will be knock-out rounds.
Play will consist of matches between teams in the same pool on a round-robin basis. Pool matches will be seven (7) minutes each way with a one (1) minute halftime break.
All Pool Matches carry the following points:
3 points for a win
2 points for a draw
1 point for a loss
0 points for a no show, abandonment, or referee disqualification
Following the completion of the pool games, the group winners will progress to the Cup competition together with the two second placed teams with the best records. The other four second placed teams together with the third and fourth placed teams with the best records will progress to the Plate Competition.
In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position in the pool table the higher placed team will be determined using the following sequence:
If two teams are involved in a tie the margin of points scored for and against a team in all pool matches shall be considered. The team with the highest positive margin of points shall be ranked higher in the pool table. In the event that the tie remains unsolved then;
The team that scores the most points in all pool matches shall be ranked higher in the pool table. In the event that the tie remains unsolved then;
The team that scores the most number of tries in all pool matches shall be ranked higher in the pool table. In the event that the tie still remains unresolved then;
The team that concedes the least points in all pool matches shall be ranked higher in the pool table. In the event that the tie still remains unresolved then;
The Team that concedes the least tries in all pool matches shall be ranked higher in the pool table. In the event that the tie still remains unresolved then;
If teams are still tied after all the above, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin between the Managers of the teams concerned.
KNOCK OUT STAGE MATCHES
Following the completion of the first round of group matches there will be knock-out finals stages for Cup and Plate competitions. The draw will be based upon the team positions in the pool tables. For details on the knockout stages please see the competition specific information. All quarter finals, semi finals and the final will be played on a knock out basis. All quarter finals and semi finals and final games will be seven (7) minutes each way with a one (1) minute halftime break.
In the event of a match being drawn at the end of normal time (in the knock-out stages) extra time will be played, in five (5) minute periods until a winner is determined. There will be an interval of 1 minute after full time has been declared then play shall commence with a coin-toss the winner of which chooses either which way to play or to kick-off the period of extra time. The first team to score will immediately be declared the winner and play will cease. After each five (5) minute period of extra time, teams will change ends, without stoppage, and resume play.
