CLUB COMPETITIONS – RULES
Format of Matches
| Match Type | Number of Bowls Per Player | Game Length | Marker Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 4 | First to 21 shots | Yes |
| Pairs | 4 | 18 Ends | No |
| Triples | 3 | 18 Ends | No |
| 2-Wood Singles | 2 | 21 Ends | Yes |
| 2-Wood Pairs | 2 | 21 Ends | No |
| Internal Competition Match Rules | |
|---|---|
| Competition Entries and Draws | |
| Competition Draws | The draw for all the Singles competitions and most other competitions will be made at a sub-committee meeting before the end of April; the draw for some competitions will be made at later dates, ensuring that all competitors have sufficient notice. |
| Player Availability | Members should not enter a competition if they are unavailable for any round or on the Saturday and Sunday of finals weekend or if they cannot play on a specified Play-On date. |
| Competition Referees | Competitions are under the control of the Competition Referees. If they are unavailable, a Captain or Vice-Captain should be contacted. |
| Dress Code | Dress code for bowlers and markers is club or white shirt and black trousers or shorts for all rounds. |
| Organising Matches | |
| Challenger & Opponent | The "Challenger" is the first player named in a game. It is the Challenger who makes first contact with their opponent. |
| Match Deadlines | Games must be played by the closing date set for the round or on the “Play-On” date where specified. Preliminary rounds must be played prior to the date of the first round. Where more than one round is to be played on a set day the Ladies’ or Men's Captain, or someone they appoint, shall be responsible for organising the day. |
| Match Rounds | Rounds will start on a Monday and finish on a Sunday. |
| Organising a match | Both players are equally responsible for arranging the game and ensuring it is played by the closing date. The Challenger must contact their opponent within 5 days of the end of the previous round and should offer three dates and times to their opponent. One date must be on a weekend and one should be at least a week ahead of the other two offered. If neither player attempts to arrange a game and the play by date is not met, the game will be declared void and a walk over awarded to the opponent(s) waiting in the next round. |
| Match Extensions | A player unable to play a game by the stated date for a general reason must contact a Competition Referee not less than 10 days before the play by date of the round to request an extension. If an extension is required due to a player in a competition suffering an illness or adverse weather conditions make the green unplayable, a Competition Referee should be contacted as soon as is practicable before the play by date of the round. Holidays or personal fixture congestion will not be accepted as reasons for the granting of an extension (Official Club related competitions exempt.) Extensions granted for general reasons and weather or unplayable green delays, must be played within 7 days after the play by date of the round. Extensions granted due to illness must be played within 10 days after the play by date of the round. If a Competition Referee is involved, the request for an extension should be made to a Captain or Vice-Captain. |
| Markers and Marking | |
| Markers | A marker must be used in all singles games and the Challenger is responsible for arranging one. If a marker is not provided, the challenger shall forfeit the game. The marker should be a current Bowls Club Member. |
| Loser as Marker | The loser of a game should make themselves available to mark for the winner in the next round. All players must be prepared to mark at least one game in all competitions they have entered. |
| Match Deadlines | |
| Match Start Times | Games shall start at a mutually agreed time. However, in line with the guidance from Bowls Surrey to accommodate workers, no player shall be compelled to accept a time earlier than 6.00 pm. |
| Daylight Deadline | To minimise the risk of bad light stopping play, no player shall be compelled to accept a time after 6pm. If a player arrives more than 30 minutes after the time fixed for the game the opponent may claim the game. |
| Booking a match | When a competition game has been arranged the Challenger must enter the date and time on bowlr. |
| Playing the match | |
| Handicap Play | In the Men’s Handicap Singles Competition (only) the person receiving any shot difference in the handicap will receive the shot difference as a starting score towards 21; the other player will need 21 shots to win. |
| Selecting a Rink | The rink board manager(s) will draw the rinks using the "number bag" in the week prior to the competition being played and enter details on the allocation board in the Club Room. The rink drawn cannot be changed unless it becomes unplayable. If a new rink is required, this must be drawn from the "number bag" by a rink board manager or a neutral member. |
| Running on the green | To avoid causing unnecessary damage, running on the green is not allowed. |
| Scorecards | A scorecard must be kept for every game and this should be signed by both players at the end of the game and placed in the correct competition box in Club Room. The Competition Referees will check the card and update the relevant competition chart. Players must not update the chart. |
| Coaching is forbidden | Players must not receive coaching or take advice from other club members during the game. |
| Player Substitutions | Only in exceptional circumstances will a substitution be permitted. Except for the select pairs, the substitute must be of the same handicap, or nearest equivalent handicap, to the person they are replacing and they must continue to play throughout the remaining rounds of the competition. They are not allowed to skip in any round. The Competition Referees will rule on this matter and the Competition Secretary will select the substitute. Someone who has entered a competition cannot act as a substitute in that competition. |
| Disputes, Laws and Unusual Situations | |
| Dispute Arbitration | The Ladies’ and/or Men's Captain is the final arbiter in all matters where a decision cannot or has not been agreed with the Competition Referees or a Vice Captain. |
| General Principles | No laws governing a sport can cope with every situation. Unusual situations not covered within the laws can often arise. The World Bowls "Laws of the Sport of Bowls (WBLSB)" were drawn up in the spirit of true sportsmanship. So, if a situation arises that is not covered by these laws, players, markers and umpires must use their common sense and a spirit of fair play to decide on the appropriate course of action. Purley Club competitions will be governed by the current edition of the WBLSB rules, except where a rule(s) has been created to cover local requirements in Club Competitions. In that event, the Club Rule(s) takes precedence. |
