Background
As part of an initiative to develop rugby in the Plymouth area, the Plymouth Combination started a Merit Table in 2003. Originally developed by Bill Ryan of Saltash RFC, the table takes into account any fixture between Plymouth Combination clubs, whether it be league, cup or friendly, 1st, 2nd or 3rd team (below Western Counties West).

Match points are awarded in the usual way but bonus points can also be added to take into account the relative levels of the teams, discipline and even the loan of players to the opposition. The idea of the competition is to give meaning and incentive to all matches.

Which teams compete in the competition?
Combination teams are ranked according to their current league status, see the current league table for more details of current rankings.

How are results collated?
Results shall be gleaned from the local press but can also be sent in to the competition coordinator.

How are match points awarded?
3 points for an away win, 2 points for a home win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a defeat.

How are bonus points calculated?
(a) For teams playing at the same level, bonus points are awarded based on a simple points difference. i.e. 1 bonus point for each difference of 10 points up to a total of 3.
(b) For teams playing against opponents of a higher level a bonus point will be awarded for each 5 points scored up to a total of 3.
(c) Where teams lend players to their opponents, one bonus point for each player loaned shall be awarded up to a total of 3.
(d) A team playing against opponents of a lower level will be deducted a bonus point for each level difference up to a maximum of 3 points.
(e) Where a player is sin-binned, 1 bonus point will be deducted for each player sanctioned, In the case of dismissal 2 bonus points will be deducted.

No team shall gain more than a maximum of 3 bonus points in any one game.
No more than 3 bonus points shall be withdrawn in any one game.
Positive bonus points will be added to the match points, however negative bonus points are not deducted from the match points.

How is the table compiled?
Teams playing more than 8 matches shall have their best 8 matches collated for the table.
What about abandoned or cancelled matches?
Where matches are cancelled or a walkover is awarded, these matches will not count towards the Merit Table. Neither shall abandoned matches unless they have passed the 60 minute barrier.

Who is the Competition Co-ordinator?
Darren Rosevear, 07973442416, email