The Priestley Shield competition shall be subject in every particular to the conditions and rules of the Priestley Cup, except as hereinafter provided.

1. Trophy
The competition shall be for second elevens and the trophy, The Priestley Shield, shall be awarded to the winning side. The "Harry Middleton" Trophy shall be awarded to a player adjudged to be "The Man of the Match" in the final round. The hand engraving of the Shield and the engraving of  the Man of the Match trophy is the responsibility of the club and is to be carried out by the League’s nominated company. Trophies shall be held until the first Saturday in July of the following year. (Penalties for late returns apply as Trophy rules 1 and 2.)

2.The Priestley Shield competition
It shall be subject in every particular to the conditions and rules of the Priestley Cup, except as hereinafter provided.

3. Fixtures and Grounds
The draws shall be as follows, First round - reverse of the draw for the cup competition, second to semi-final rounds -separate draws. The ground shall be that of the club first drawn in each pair, unless that club's first eleven is engaged at home; in this event, it shall be the ground of the second club, should both grounds be engaged, the venue shall be fixed by the  Management Board who shall also select the date, time and ground on which the Final of the competition will be played.

4. Competition Arrangements
No club shall play a match on the day of the Shield Final or hold or sanction a counter attraction on its grounds except any Bradford Junior League play-off or final.

5. Match Ball
In the final, the balls will be provided by the League.

6. Admission to Games
For Sunday games spectators may be invited to purchase Programmes or Tickets of Admission to all Shield Matches (excepting the Final) as follows: Adults 50p, Children and Senior Citizens 25p.
Charges for admission to the Shield Final shall be determined by the Management Board at the first opportune time.

7. Umpires Expenses
Umpires shall receive £30 for all matches with the exception of the Final. For the Final they will receive a memento similar to those awarded to the players of the winning side.
Extra expenses to be in accordance with Cup rule 13. Teas to be supplied to Umpires in Sunday games.

8. Players’ Qualifications
No player is eligible to play in the Priestley Shield from the second round onwards who has played more games in the 1st XI than the 2nd XI. Any registered player shall be eligible to play in the first round of the competition. Players must have played at least one league match prior to the 2nd round to be eligible for that and subsequent rounds. In the case of bona fide juniors, registered by the club prior to the season, or full time students registered the previous season and at the beginning of the current season, permission must be obtained from the  Management Board in order that they may participate in subsequent rounds. Where no play is possible owing to weather conditions, players selected and present on the ground shall be deemed to have played.
A player who has played in a Priestley Cup Match in any round of the Competition. shall not play in a Priestley Shield match in the corresponding round or final, except by permission of the  Management Board.
A regular player with a club outside the League (as defined in League Rule 34) who may have played in two Bradford League matches prior to the third round shall not be considered eligible for Shield matches without the special consent of the  Management Board.
No player shall be allowed to play in both finals without permission of the Management Board.

SOVEREIGN HEALTCARE PRIESTLEY SHIELD MATCHES
The result of every match must sent by text within 30 minutes of the end of the game to 07534 210769
The text MUST include for both teams
Name of team
Score with number of wickets lost.
Number of Overs bowled.
Batsmen scoring 30 runs or more.
Bowler taking three or more wickets.
MATCH REPORT SHEETS
To be completed electronically and emailed to;-
results@bradfordcricketleague.org 
NO LATER than midnight on the day of the game
The Reports must be complete and accurate, and include the first & second names of ALL players of both teams irrespective of whether there has been any play or not
Failure to comply will incur a fine of £10.

APPENDIX 1  -  Reduced Over Matches
Bowlers’ Restrictions
26  -  30 over match      not more than 6 overs per bowler
31  -  35                                                   7
36  -  40                                                   8
41  -  45                                                   9
46  -  50                                                 10

APPENDIX 2  -  Reduced Overs Matches
Fielding Restrictions
Total overs                           Number of overs fielding
In inning                                  restrictions apply
25  -  30                                         First   5 overs
31  -  40                                         First  10 overs
41  -  50                                         First  15 overs

APPENDIX 3   
 
‘Bowl out’ Procedure.
( Carried out under the supervision of the Umpires.)
In consultation with club officials/ ground staff, this may take place on the designated pitch or an adjacent one, edge of outfield, artificial pitch or indoor facility if available. The captains will nominate five players from each side who will bowl one  delivery alternatively at 3 wickets pitched 22 yards from a single stump. Underarm deliveries are not allowed. The ball must bounce once( in front of  popping crease). Failure to achieve this counts as one delivery.
A no ball will count as a delivery. The same ball will be used by both teams. No person is allowed to stand in front of the wickets to act as a target for the bowlers. The side that bowls down the wickets most times is the winner.
If scores are level after the first 10 deliveries the same players will continue to bowl alternatively one ball each to achieve a result on a sudden death basis.
[ The Management Board’s sub committee consists of – League Chairman, Treasurer & CEO. ]

1. ECB CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET
1.1 Code of Conduct

1.1.1 The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.

1.1.2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.

1.1.3 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpires decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.

1.1.4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.

1.1.5 Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as ‘Sledging’) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

1.1.6 Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player  qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.

1.1.7 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.

1.1.8 Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires.

1.2 Spirit of Cricket
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1.2.1 There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of Captains
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Player’s Conduct
In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action. showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain, requesting the latter to take action.

1.2.2 Fair and Unfair Play
According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

1.2.3 The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Dangerous or unfair bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any other action that they consider to be unfair.

1.2.4 The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
Your opponents
Your own captain and team
The role of the umpires
The game's traditional values.

1.2.5 It is against the Spirit of the Game:
To dispute an umpire's decision by word, action or gesture
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance
a) appeal knowing the batsman is not out
b) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one's own side.