Competition Draws

Competition Rules - 2024

1. Responsibilities of players

The underlying principles for arranging matches are that:-

All players involved should aim to have their game scheduled for well within the final date for the round to account for bad weather, illness or other unforeseen reasons for delay.

Prompt organisation and communication should be evident and by use of telephone messages, texts or emails, it should be quite possible to ensure allowances are made for holidays and other priorities.

So to avoid the common last minute rush to organise games before the due date, the following guide notes have been put together by the Competitions Secretary.

Note: Round 1 of each competition starts immediately after the competition draws. There is one exception to this which is the Walker Cup which starts on the 1^st July. Subsequent rounds should be arranged within 7 days of the completion of the preceding round.

The Challenger (the first named on the Competition Draw Sheet in red text) is responsible for:

(a) Providing their opponent with four dates (including one daytime, one evening and one weekend) when the match could be played. If the first offer of dates is not forthcoming within 7 days and a mutually agreeable date cannot be negotiated within the time available, the Challenger could forfeit the game.

In an effort to keep member information secure, contact details of all members are on our website behind the log in password – you can register for a log in on the website if you do not yet have one

(b) booking a rink

(c) arranging a marker

The Challenged bowler (the second named on the Competition Draw Sheet) is responsible for:

(a) If none of the offered dates are suitable, the challenged bowler must initiate a negotiation within 7 days to the dates that the challenger has offered to find a mutually acceptable date and time.

(b) The aim is to ensure all games are played as drawn, but if the challenged bowler does not respond to the offer of dates within 7 days and a mutually agreeable date cannot be negotiated within the time available, the challenged player could forfeit the game.

2. Final Decisions in Competition Issues

In the case of any misunderstanding or disputed matter, the decision of the Competitions Secretary shall be final.

3. Pairs Matches

In the event of someone having to drop out of a pairs competition due to illness or an unforeseen commitment, that player may be replaced by another player who has not previously played in that competition that year.

The Competitions Secretary will gather names of up to three players of similar standing to the player dropping out who are willing to participate and drawing one of their names out of a hat. That new player would participate in all remaining games of that competition.

4. Trial ends

Trial ends should consist of no more than two ends with a maximum of the number of bowls played in that competition.

5. Use of Rinks - Booking Protocol

The challenger will offer 2 available rinks at the agreed time and book two consecutive sessions on the one selected in the rink diary to ensure the match can be finished – the challenged bowler (the second named / the opponent) will choose one of the two rinks offered so that it can be booked. Alternatively you can draw the balls from the bag to decide the rink, but this may restrict the options if competitions are already in play. This will not prevent people just turning up for a roll up, but please be prepared to move rinks if asked if the rink is already booked for a game. If anybody is not quite up to date using the rink diary, please ask Phil Reed or Adrian Wilcox, and we would be happy to book a rink for you , or talk you through the process.In the unlikely event there is a need to decide priorities, first comes national competition matches, then county competition matches, both taking priority over club competitions. In the event of overbooking, club competitions must give way.

6. Dress Code

The club dress code for players and markers must be adhered to for all competition matches. This dress code is greys and club shirt for players and markers.

7. Scorecards

These should be left in the holder on the competitions notice board.

8. The Victory Pairs and Ladies Pairs Ford Cup

These are both drawn handicap competitions with designated leads and skips, to be determined by the Competition Secretary and a designated member of the selection committee. The pairings of leads with skips will be determined at least a week before the Competition Draw date.

9. The Walker Cup

The Walker Cup will be drawn at the same time as the other competitions but with a timetable for playing rounds that commences at the beginning of July and concludes at least two weeks before Finals Weekend. (This will mean that matches do need to be arranged as quickly as possible)

10. Markers

The role of the marker is to facilitate the flow of play, see below for more details, but not to interfere - as in previous years, a list of members willing to act as marker will be on the notice board in the clubhouse and as a link in the alert message on the rink diary. All entrants to singles competitions will be automatically added to the list of markers.

Guidelines for a Marker

This note explains the attributes, requirements and duties involved in being able to facilitate this important role in an efficient, unbiased and non-interfering manner.

Make sure that you are familiar with the rules covering the competition that you are marking.

• Ensure that you have the necessary equipment, coin, pen, scorecard, chalk, measure, and wedges.
• Introduce yourself to the competitors, they should have booked a rink beforehand, and toss a coin for who has the right to choose who has the jack.
• Establish which bowls belong to each player.
• Inform them that you will only answer direct questions from the player who has possession of the mat and that you will mark any touchers as soon as the bowl comes to rest.
• Ensure that the mat is properly placed and that the Jack is centred before the first bowl is delivered, always use the two-metre measuring stick to set the Jack from the rear ditch.
• Remain behind the jack and to the side of the rink whilst the bowl is being played and make sure that you do not cast a shadow over the jack.
• Do not approach the head unless it is to mark a toucher, or you need to view the head to answer a specific question regarding the situation.
• Mark touchers in the ditch, remove dead bowls with the permission of the players and ask if a “line bowl” is in or out.
• Be as accurate as possible when estimating distances between jack and bowls. If unsure which is shot when asked, say so. The players can always come and have a look if the game is close, and a decision is key. Do not volunteer information unless asked.
• Only measure shots when asked to by the players. If you cannot decide then call for an umpire. If bowls are likely to fall during a measure be sure to use wedges.
• If the jack is knocked into the ditch, it should be marked using the markers provided. The marker will determine which colour is used for each player or team. You should also use the coloured markers provided to indicate where any “touching” bowls are in the ditch. Remember if a static touching bowl is knocked in the ditch it still counts.
• Do not disturb or break up a head, this should only be done by the players or an umpire.
• Before marking the scorecard, make sure you are clear which player has been awarded the shot or shots.
• Inform both players of the state of the score at the completion of each end.
• After the game complete the scorecard and get both players to sign it.

Remember the players have a responsibility to know the rules themselves and understand how their competition is structured. So really you are just there to be their “eyes” at the other end of the rink to avoid them having to keep coming up and down, to set the mat or jack, and to see where their bowls are lying and who is holding the lead. You are there to help, not to referee the match.

To help - here is a summary of the types of Club Competitions you may be asked to mark for: -

• Games where the aim is to get to 21 shots to win. For example, the Coronation & Taylor Cups for the men and the Pomeroy Cup for the ladies. There is no need to keep note of the ends played on the scoreboard – just keep track of the scores.
• Games where the competition is played over a set number of ends, we play the Ladies Honour Cup over 15 ends it is important for the competitors to know how many ends have been played by keeping the scoreboard up to date and informing them when you announce the score at each end. If the scores are tied after the defined number of ends have been played – a deciding end is played to find a winner.
• Some games are played using only 3 bowls each or in one case of the Ladies 2-Wood Singles – logically only 2 bowls each. The Competition Notice Board shows this detail.
• The Michael Jones Cup is a little different, in that this “open” Competition is played over the best of three separate sets, each set being the first to 7 shots. The Competitors toss for choice of the mat at the beginning of each set. If someone wins the first two sets the game is over.
• The Lightfoots Cup is different again, in that it is the 1st player to 60 points which are scored 4, 3, 2, 1 for the 4 nearest woods to the jack.In the event of a drawn end the winner of the last winning end takes the mat.1 extra end if scores tied with the 1 wood nearest the jack winning.

Last Update October 2023