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Bowls Oxfordshire – County Competitions – 2026 Season.

We discussed information about County Competitions at the AGM and as promised here is information to help members discover more about how the competitions are run and how to enter.

Below I have included a full list of all the competitions members can enter, but for more information it will be necessary for you to visit the Bowls Oxfordshire web site.  Upon exploring the various related competition sections under both the Ladies and Men’s section tabs, you will find lots of information about the format, how the draws work, the rules for each competition. You will be able to see how many teams/individuals entered last year. 

Some key points to note are:-

• The first three to five rounds of some of the competitions are most often played on set dates over a two/three week period – often Monday and Friday each week – this reduces the field down to the quarters or semi-finals at an early stage – then to be played later in the year at set venues.
• Other comps are to be played by set dates similar to our competitions – no slippage allowed.
• You could be drawn against players from anywhere in the County, so if necessary be prepared to travel anywhere in Oxfordshire to play your match.
• The first-mentioned player in the draw is the challenger and will be responsible for payment of any rink fees and upon receipt of notification from the Section Secretary of his opponent, or by reference to the website, he must arrange with them to play the tie on their home green on the date indicated in the draw. A tie may be played, by mutual agreement, on a date earlier than that shown, with the exception of the Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and Finals, which will be played on the dates stated.
• As usual with competitive bowls there is lots of further information and rules you need to peruse, but it’s all on the website.

So if you want to enter a singles competition, just let me know and I will submit your entry with the rest of the club entries. If you wish to enter a pairs, triples or fours competition you just need to identify some willing team mates and again let me know – one of you needs to be the nominated leader of the team responsible for liaison with rivals and arranging the games.

Your treasurer will collect your fees next March and I need confirmation of the competitions you wish to enter by the 8^th December at the latest please.

For any general advice, Dave White is our seasoned county competitor and he will be most happy to talk you through the process, as will Ian Rutherford or myself.

2026 Schedule for County Competitions

Chris Shannon

Thame Bowls Club Secretary

01844212796

07850 638 909