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Competition Rules

BDL Competition Rules Revised 2026

Competition Rules

Section 1 General

Section 2 League rules

Section 3 Men's Competition

Section 4 Mixed Competition

Section 5 Finals

1 General

1.1 The Leagues names shall be as defined in each sub-section.

1.2 The objective of the Leagues is to encourage competitive bowling within the League area and to raise the skill level within Clubs, thus contributing to the overall standard of bowling.

1.3 A League Secretary shall be appointed who shall administer each League or groups of Leagues.

1.4 Affiliated Clubs shall be eligible to enter one team in each League.

1.5 Affiliated Clubs wishing to enter a team for the next year shall advise the League Secretary by 1st August each year and pay an entry fee by this date the amount of which will be agreed at each annual general meeting.

1.6 The draw for the competition shall be carried out biannually by the Secretary at the conclusion of the league final that terminates the two-year fixture period.

1.7 Any changes to these rules shall be approved only at an Annual General Meeting or an Emergency General Meeting.

1.8 If a matter arises that cannot be resolved to satisfaction by the Chairman/Treasurer and Secretary, then the Secretary shall invite representatives of three non-affected clubs to form a Council. If the matter remains unresolved then the Secretary shall call an Emergency General Meeting whose decision shall be final.

1.9 Any team affected by a decision may appeal to the Association Secretary.

2 Rules for Bletchley & District Club Leagues

2.1 The Leagues will be played under the Laws of the Sport, except where defined below.

2.2 Teams will play in sections drawn Biannually from the entries received, ensuring each club has one home and one away fixture against a drawn opponent.

2.3 A player shall not play for another club in the same league, in the same season.

2.4 If a team plays a player who has played for another club in the same league, in the same season the non-offending team shall be awarded 2 points and a shot bonus of 25%, rounded up to the next whole shot, of their total shots.

2.5 The home rink will be responsible for any green fees.

2.6 The home team shall have choice of rinks and the players of the rinks will be decided by draw.

2.7 If a team is not ready to play within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting time, the non-offending team shall be awarded 2 points per affected triple and a shot bonus of 25%, rounded up to the next whole shot, of their total shots.

2.8 The game shall consist of 18 ends or less when agreed between both teams due to poor light or weather subject to a minimum of 10 ends by each triple and the final score will be based on the total for each triple based at the least number of ends played by any triple. If the match is unable to be completed a new date will be agreed upon by both clubs.

 

2.9 The games will be played within the week advised by the League Secretary on the dates mutually agreed by the fixture secretaries, with the exact dates to be notified to the League Secretary before the season commences.

2.10.1 Matches can only be postponed if weather conditions make greens to be deemed unplayable by the green keeper. Under these conditions a new date to play the match will be agreed between both clubs and the Secretary informed.

2.10.2 Should there occur any exceptional extenuating circumstances which could reasonably warrant a sympathetic change in the arranged date, then the club captain requesting the change will discuss the matter with the captain of the relevant opposing team. Should agreement be made, the game will be played on another date within the allocated week (rule 2.9) and the Secretary informed.

2.10.3 If agreement is not reached, the team not meeting the fixture requirement will forfeit the maximum points available and 5 shots per rink which will be awarded to their opponents.

2.11 The position in the league to be determined by points and if a tie, by shot difference. If the shot difference is also equal, then the results of the matches between the teams involved will be the deciding factor.

2.12 The match result shall be reported using the online app. The result should be entered by the winning captain or their nominee and checked by the away captain or their nominee. In the event of a draw the home captain enters the result and the away captain checks. The result shall ideally be recorded immediately after the match, but must be recorded no later than 24 hours of the match.

2.13 Match score cards shall be retained by all clubs until the date of the final, and made available for inspection if so requested.

2.14 Food is not to be supplied at ANY B&D matches

2.15 Substitutions

2.15.1 In any match up to 2 substitutes may be used.

2.15.2 In mixed matches there is no requirement for a same sex substitute provided that the rink affected remains mixed.

2.15.3 The substitute player shall in the same position as the player being substituted

2.15.4 A player who starts on one rink may not be substituted to another rink

2.15.5 If a player cannot continue and there is no substitute available then play on that rink shall cease and the score scratched. The non-offending team shall be awarded 2 points and a shot bonus of 25%, rounded up to the next whole shot, of their total shots.

3 Rules for Bletchley & District Club Men’s League

3.1 Each team shall be represented by five triples of men.

3.2 Should a club find that it can only field four triples they must notify their opposition no later than 48 hours before the match is due to be played. The opposition will be awarded the two points and will also be awarded a shot bonus of 25%, rounded up to the next whole shot, of their total shots.

3.3 In a case where both clubs can only field four triples, a normal game will be played, with a maximum of 16 points to be gained.

3.2 Points to be awarded in each match:

3.2.1 Two points to each winning triple, one point to each triple in the event of a tie.

3.2.2 Eight points for the overall win, four points to each team in the event of a tie

4 Rules for Bletchley & District Club Mixed League

4.1 Each team shall be represented by four triples, each triple being of mixed gender.

4.2 Should a club find that it can only field three triples they must notify their opposition no later than 48 hours before the match is due to be played. The opposition will be awarded the two points and will also be awarded a shot bonus of 25%, rounded up to the next whole shot, of their total shots.

4.3 In a case where both clubs can only field three triples, a normal game will be played with a maximum of 12 points to be gained.

4.3 Points to be awarded in each match:

4.3.1 Two points to each winning triple, one point to each triple in the event of a tie.

4.3.2 Six points for the overall win, three points to each team in the event of a tie

5 FINALS

5.1 In both finals the team with the highest number of shots will be declared the winners.

5.2 In the event of a tie after 18 ends, an extra end, or ends, shall be played by all triples until a winner is established.

5.3 The winning team in each final shall, at their expense, engrave the trophy with their club’s name and year of competition in the same style / font as previous engraving and ensure that the trophy is returned to the Secretary when requested.

 

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