Club Competition Rules

1. Introduction

It is the policy of this Club that all Club competitions shall be played under the rules of the current “Laws of the Sport of Bowls” as issued by World Bowls and  ECBA rules. (Copies of these publications must be available for the use of members in the Club House)

2. Match Scheduling

2.1 All rounds shall be completed by the scheduled dates. Failure to play the match by the scheduled date for each round will result in the opponent being given a Walk Over into the next round, unless the Competition Secretary has given approval otherwise.

2.2 The competitor(s) appearing first in the list for each round shall be deemed the challenger, whose responsibility shall be to arrange a mutually agreeable date for the match to be played, by the round closing date.  A challenger must offer 3 dates, at least one of which must be at a weekend. This challenge must be made not less than 14 days before the closing date of the opening round or within three days of receiving notice of opponent from the Competition Secretary. Failing this, the opponent becomes the challenger and shall offer three dates, as above, making the challenge within the next 24 hours. In the event of a date not being agreed, then the matter shall be referred to the Competition Secretary. If no satisfactory conclusion can be reached, then either or both competitors shall be eliminated from the competition.

2.3 The time for commencing a match shall be mutually agreed, but no player or team shall be compelled to accept a time earlier than 6.00pm Monday  - Friday or 3.00pm on Saturdays or Sundays. Competitors not on the green ready to play within 30 minutes of the agreed start time will be subject to disqualification.

2.4 In the event of a competitor learning that they will not be available to play on scheduled Finals Days , they must inform the Competition Secretary immediately and withdraw from all competitions in which they are still involved.

3. Substitutes

3.1 Singles: There shall be no substitutes in singles play.

3.2 Pairs and Triples: The players taking part in the first game shall constitute the team and shall normally play together throughout the competition.  One additional and the same player may be used as a substitute at any time, provided that one member of the original team plays in each tie of the pairs and two members of the original team play in each tie of the triples. The ratio of male/female players shall be maintained in mixed and/or medley competitions.

3.3 Handicap Competitions: The substitute must be of equal handicap to the player being substituted and must be authorised by the Competition Secretary.

3.4 General: 

• The substitute may play in any position.
• Any player may have a substitute for any reason.
• Players who have previously played in that season's competition, shall not be allowed to act as substitutes.
• The substitute must be indicated on the score card with an “S” by their name.
• If during the course of a triples or pairs game, a player has to leave the green owing to illness their place may be filled by a substitute if, in the opinion of both skips, such substitution is necessary. The substitute should play in any position other than skip and the other members of the team can rearrange their positions as necessary.

4. Competitions

4.1 Singles 4 Bowl: Each game shall consist of 21 shots. Handicap competitions will also consist of 21 shots with the player with lower hadicap receiving the handicap difference on the card at the start of the game.

4.2 Singles 2 Bowl: Each game shall consist of 21 ends.

4.3 Pairs: Each game shall consist of 18 ends. Two players each side with four bowls each. The leads are to play all their bowls before the skips play theirs. In mixed pairs, the make-up of the team must include one player of either sex.

4.4 Triples: Each game shall consist of 18 ends. Three players each side with 3 bowls each. In mixed triples the make-up of the team must include a minimum of one player of either sex.

5. General

5.1 In all matches, it is the responsibility of the challenger to book a rink, in the rink book, and in singles competitions to provide a marker, except for the finals.

5.2 In the event of the scores being equal at the end of 18 ends then an extra end shall be played.  The leads must toss a coin with the winner having the right to decide which team plays first in this extra end.

5.3 Scorecards are to be kept by both teams, except for singles, where the marker will keep the scorecard. Winners shall advise their results to the Competition Secretary immediately after the match and before 9.30pm on the same day. This may be done by telephone, text or email.

5.4 Completed Scorecards shall be placed in the Competition Secretary pigeon hole in the Clubhouse.

5.5 Dress shall be club shirts with greys/navy, except for the finals when whites will be worn.

 

Rules updated November 2024.
Site updated November 2024.