As Part of updating the League it has been decided that we will adhere to WPBSA Rules of the Game of English Billiards. This is the current governing body of the sport we play and above is a link to their latest set of rules which were updated for 2024-25 Season
- Rochdale & District Billiards League Rules
(a)
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General
1. The League shall be called the “Rochdale & District Billiards League”.
2. The object of the league shall be to promote the game of English Billiards and attract new teams to the league. Additionally, the League will organise both team and individual competitions for member clubs and affiliated players.
3. Each season the League rules will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and only the most up-to-date version will be referred to.
4. For Management purposes, the League structure will be as follows:
President The President will be involved in any discussions and subsequent votes surrounding Constitutional issues, but will not however be responsible for the day-to day running of the League.
The Management Committee will be comprised of the following officials:
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Ordinary Committee member(s)
The Management Committee will be responsible for managing League affairs but may report to the Delegates for ratification of any decisions made.
Delegate Meetings will be attended by the Management Committee, plus one delegate from each member team.
5. The AGM shall be held every year and is open to all members who have played in the previous season. A minimum of 14 days’ notice of the intention to hold the meeting will be given by the Secretary.
The Purpose of the AGM will be:
• To receive and adopt a statement of the League’s accounts for the previous 12 months.
• To elect the officials of the league.
• To consider and if approved change any league rules and adopt any updated WPBSA rules.
• To fix a date for the start of the ensuing season.
• To ratify the league rules for the new season.
• To deal with any other matters raised by the Committee or any members
6. Any questions or other matters for the Annual General Meeting Must be submitted in writing and received by the league secretary 7 days before the meeting. Only questions or matters submitted in writing will be dealt with at the AGM.
7. A Special General Meeting may be convened either on receipt of a requisition signed by not less than ten members, or by a majority vote of the League Committee specifying the object of the meeting, which shall be held after at least 10 days’ notice has been given to members.
8. League Fees: Every week, each playing member shall pay £1 per game played. This money is to be paid directly to the treasurer when requested.
(b)
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Behaviour
1. No member shall use foul or abusive language against a fellow league member.
2. Any written posts on social media must not use foul or abusive language aimed at a fellow member. Members must respect each other, both on match nights and when communicating via league social media groups.
3. Any infringements in respect to the above will be dealt with by the management committee, who may take into account any historical incidents. The management committee reserve the right to impose any sanctions deemed appropriate, which may include the banning of individuals, either from playing or from using social media platforms set up by the League. Any penalties imposed will not set a precedence.
(c)
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Playing regulations
1. All games shall be played under The World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association Limited (WPBSA) revised rules September 2024. https://www.wpbsa.com/rules/ However, The League will not be using the following rule(s) or officials in our matches.
Section 3-8 – Baulk-Line Crossing
Section 5-3 – Using a Recorder
Section 5-4 – Using a Time Keeper
2. All games will be played with league approved harlequin balls only. If a member thinks the balls are the incorrect size or weight, they are to bring the matter to the attention of the match referee during the game when they are next at the table. The referee will discuss the matter with both team captains and if agreed that the balls are incorrect, they are to be changed and the game restarted. If the matter can’t be resolved, the match will be abandoned and the matter will be brought to the attention of the management committee. If the matter is raised after a game the result will stand and the game will not be replayed.
3. Unless specified otherwise, the first game shall commence at 19:00 hours. If the first game has not started within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, then the team not present shall lose the first game 100-0. The only exception to this rule is when the team not present has made every attempt to contact the other team and has given good reason for their absence.
4. All League matches shall be played on a Wednesday evening unless otherwise agreed by both team captains and the Secretary beforehand.
5. If requested by the opposing Captain, the Captain of the home team shall be prepared to nominate their team including a reserve, who may only play if a team member fails to arrive.
6. The Captain of the home team shall select each player prior to each game and the Captain of the Away team will nominate each respective opponent.
7. No longer than ten minutes shall be allowed between each game and, if a player is not then present, his opponent shall be awarded 100 points. There will be no subsequent handicap changes.
8. The home team will provide the referee and marker for the first and third game and the away team providing for the second. The referee will be in sole charge of the game and abide by the rules set out in Section 5-1 of the WPBSA Game Rules for English Billiards.
9. The home team will forward the full match report including current and revised handicaps to the league Secretary. Any breaks of 20+ for scratch or above players and 30+ for minus players must also be recorded.
The scorecard MUST be photographed and added to the WhatsApp “Scorecards, Handicaps, Fixtures and League Notices” group chat ideally on completion of the match on Wednesday evening.
10. Any team playing an unregistered player will forfeit the Match. Any new players to the team must be signed on with the secretary and a handicap decided.
11. If on the night, a team cannot field 3 players due to unforeseen circumstances, the remaining games can be re-arranged at a mutually convenient time.
12. A team requiring postponement of a match shall give not less than 24- hours’ notice by email or WhatsApp to the Secretary where possible. In the event of an emergency, such as power failure, illness or bad weather rendering travel unsafe or other reasonable reason, notification must be given by telephone as soon as possible to the opposing team and Secretary and an alternative date arranged. If an alternative date cannot be agreed or the reasons for postponement are considered to be inadequate, the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee.
All rearranged games to be played at least 2 weeks before end of the season
13. All disputes shall be notified to the League Secretary initially by telephone or WhatsApp message on the evening, followed by a written account by email within 3 days and shall be settled by the Management Committee at the earliest opportunity. If the team in dispute involves a Management Committee member that member shall recuse themselves from the discussion and voting of the dispute involving their team.
14. No player shall play for another club if they have left a club in the League owing arrears of any kind.
15. No player may play for more than one team in any season unless an official transfer is sanctioned by the Management Committee Note: This does not apply to designated ‘pool’ players Any new players to the League shall start with a handicap that has been assessed by the Management Committee. The handicap will be reviewed regularly over the season and if it appears that a player’s handicap is palpably incorrect, the Management Committee shall have the power to revise such handicap with immediate effect.
16. Players who have previously played in the league will start with their last known handicap and will be reviewed after three and then six games played.
17. Any player playing off the wrong handicap will forfeit the game with an additional 25 Point Penalty. The latest handicaps are available on the website.
18. No Team Member or Referee shall offer any advice other than that stated in the WPBSA rules regarding shot choice or coaching whilst a player is at the table.
19. Discussion of shot choice after the shot has been played is allowed but would be better if only discussed after the game has finished. Any coaching or discussion of shot choice, which can be heard around the table before a shot must be challenged immediately and subsequently reported to the league secretary via WhatsApp immediately. The matter will be dealt by the Management Committee. Any tariffs imposed will not however set a precedent.
20. In the event of a player about to play the wrong cue ball, any member of either team may inform the player. The only person not allowed to intervene is the referee.
21. In the event of two or more teams having the same number of points at the end of the main competition, the team with the best aggregate shall be deemed to be the champion. In the case of a tie, there shall be a play-off match on a neutral table, the team winning on aggregate being champions.
(d)
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2026/27 Season
League Officials and Management Committee
President: Elvet Smith
Chair: Paul Mather
Vice Chair: Paul Holt
Secretary: Bryce Crux
Treasurer: Paul Hulme
Committee Members: Paul Eslick, Alastair Hardman
Results & Website
Coordinator: Alastair Hardman
The Delegates Meeting’s consists of members of the Management Committee (excluding The President) & a delegate from each team.
Teams and Captains
Castleton A: John Ingham
Castleton B: Stan Gac
Royle BC: Paul Mather
Newtown: Andy Howarth
Rugby Rd BC: Roy Denson
Seedfield BC: Paul Eslick
Wardle Con: April Brown
1.The 2026-27 Season will comprise of a Main League, followed by a Mini League. which will both consist of three individual handicapped games. In both leagues, there will be seven points available. Two points will be awarded per frame won, plus one point for the aggregate.
2 In both leagues, a player’s handicap will be adjusted as follows after every game played:
If the final scores are within 5 points or less no adjustment shall be made.
If a player wins or loses a game by more than 5 points their handicap will change by 2 points accordingly, (open to review at the AGM).
3. No player shall play off a handicap of more than +56 unless decided by the delegates and management committee by majority vote. The lowest handicap permitted will be -230
4. In both Leagues, should the aggregate be tied, 1 point will be awarded to each team.
- Individual and Doubles Competitions
1.The handicapped singles will be played under the same rules as the individual Main League matches, with the handicaps fixed at the time of the initial draw.
2. In the Scratch singles, matches will be of 60 minutes duration throughout
3. During the pair’s competition, advice and discussion between playing partners is allowed before the player takes the first shot of their break. After the first shot there will be no discussion or advice allowed.
4.In the Pair’s competition, the following formula will be used to calculate the handicaps:
Player ‘A’ h’cap+ Player ‘B’ h’cap divided by 2 (rounded down to a whole number where applicable)
5. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the home player(s) to arrange the matches.
It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to make sure that they and their players are aware of the League rules and updated WPBSA rules and abide by them.