Timings and General Notes
1. Arrive any time from 0800 hrs on the day, it is suggested that teams bring a small gazebo to act as a base and chill out area, The earlier you arrive, the better spot you’ll find. Can all team gazebo’s be a minimum of 4 metres from any pitch.
2. Registration will be open at 0800 hrs, you must register before 0900 hrs, which is when the draw will be done and then teams will know when they are playing and where.
3. It’s not unusual for one or two teams to be short of players on the day, don’t worry if that happens, let us know as soon as you can. There are often players without a team or we can combine teams. If you’re running late or have any other issues, contact us as early as you can on medway7s@mrfc.net and we’ll do our best to help.
4. The first matches will kick off at 1000 hrs. The final match will be around 1500 hrs on the main show pitch.
5. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times and be kept off the pitches.
6. We ask people not to bring their own alcoholic drinks as bar sales are a major source of revenue for the club on the day. There will be plenty of food and drink on offer, with outside bars and BBQ.
7. There will be an after party after the final with live music from 1600 hrs
8. We’ll give each team a couple of clear rubbish bags on arrival. It will really helps us clear up if you can bag up your rubbish before you leave.
9. Teams are expected to provide their own insurance. If you are representing an RFU club you will be covered by their insurance, otherwise you can download and complete a form from the RFU.
Tournament Structure and Rules
The Medway 7s tournament is a pool-based elimination structure where, depending on final numbers, teams will be in leagues of three or four where the winners of each league go into the Open Cup, the runners up go into the ‘Plate’ and the third-placed team in each league goes into the ’bowl’.
The three competitions are then a straight knock-out format. This format will guarantee all teams at least three games. The women and social structures will depend on the number of teams entered. In the event that teams are equal on league points at the end of the pool stage, the team which has scored the most points will progress. In the event of the number of points scored being equal the team with the most tries will progress. In the event of the number of tries being equal the team with the highest positive points difference will proceed. If the teams still cannot be separated the decision will be made on the toss of a coin.
General Rule
The Tournament will be conducted entirely under the control of MRFC whose decision, in all matters, is final. In the event of any complaint arising from any game the Tournament Manager’s decision (which may be made with input from the Referee Manager and MRFC) will be final.
Competition Rules
The 7 a-side competitions will be played under World Rugby Laws with 7 a-side variations as amended below:
1. A representative of each side must report to the Central Control for the captains’ brief 30 minutes before the start of the competition and supply the names of all players in the squad to the Central Control prior to the order of play being published. The first games will kick off promptly at 0930 hrs. Players may only change teams with the agreement in advance of MRFC.
2. A maximum squad size for the tournament of 12 players is in place. For each game all players are nominated as playing and up to five (5) interchanges can be made.
3. An interchange is defined as being a player leaving the field of play and being replaced by another. An interchange does not occur if a player leaves the field because of an injury caused by foul play.
4. All teams are encouraged to bring an alternative strip in case of a colour clash. In the event of a clash the first listed team will change.
5. All players must have adequate playing insurance through their team or club (standard RFU insurance is a minimum requirement).
6. The team captain will be called to the centre of the pitch prior to the start of each game for the toss up for kick-off, or choice of ends. Failure to attend will result in the team being deemed to have lost the toss. Teams should assemble at the pitch and make their presence known to the Pitch Marshal at least 3 minutes before the advertised kick-off time.
7. Games will start at their allotted times and late arrival at the pitch ultimately risks disqualification. If any team is going to be late arriving at the grounds they must telephone the Tournament Manager who will endeavour to reschedule games but there will be no guarantee of this.
Playing Rules
1. 7 a-side games will be played under the World Rugby Laws Standard set of variations for Sevens and any applicable RFU Law Interpretations/Variations. All items of protective clothing, padding or likewise, must conform to IRB Laws and regulations.
2. Each game will be played for 7 minutes each way with a 1 minute half-time except for the Open Cup Final which will be 10 minutes each way. No extra time will be played in the pool rounds of the tournament and matches will be left drawn.
3. In the knockout rounds if, at the end of normal time, neither side has won, captains will toss for the right to kick off or choice of ends and play will continue in periods of five minutes, changing ends after each period without further interval with the first side to score being declared the winner.
4. Substitutions/replacements must only be made with the referee’s permission and when there is a stoppage, or the ball is out of play. Players who have been substituted may replace an injured player in the same game but may not be brought back otherwise.
5. Any player sent off (red card) will not be allowed to play in the remainder of the tournament. Their team plays with one less player for the rest of that game. The team is, however, allowed to start with 7 players for subsequent games.
6. Any yellow card is 2 mins, two yellows will become a red.
7. Any Match Official Abuse (MOA) will result in the player receiving a red card and will not be allowed to play for the remainder of the tournament. Their team plays with one less player for the rest of that game. The team is, however, allowed to start with 7 players for subsequent games. Any team that continues to show MOA will be dis-qualified from the tournament.
8. In the event of a side being unable to continue to field 7 players during a game, other than through sending-off, then the game is abandoned and:
a. If a pool game, then the pool game is considered as abandoned by the referee and points awarded accordingly.
b. If a knock-out game, the other side goes through.
9. For a kick at goal after a try has been scored between the posts, where possible the kick will be made from behind in-goal so that the ball is more readily available for the restart of the game (i.e. the ball is kicked towards the halfway line).
10. For a kick at goal after a try has been scored other than between the posts, one player of the opposing team is required to be behind the in-goal area to retrieve the ball.