Competition Rules 2023/24
1. All competitors must be fully paid up members of Banbury Cross Indoor Bowls Club (BCIBC) and competition entry fees, where due, must be paid before a competitor will be entered into the draw.
2. All rounds and finals will be played in greys (white or club shirt and grey shorts, trousers or dress).
3. Rink fees for all club competitions will be paid by individual players at Woodgreen reception. The rink fee for a competition match is £4.40 per player. There is no charge for playing in a final.
4. All League matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. [Ref: World Bowls - Laws of the Sport of Bowls Crystal Mark Fourth Edition] and the conditions listed below.
5. Play by date competitions:
5.1 The Challenger (who appears first in the draw), will offer the opponent within seven days of the closing date of the previous round (or for the first round; within two weeks of the draw being published) three dates for the match to be played, one of which the opponent must accept or concede the match. At least one date should be on a Saturday or Sunday. Weekday games to start not earlier than 6pm except by mutual agreement. In the event that dates are not offered within the prescribed time the second named player becomes the Challenger and has the right to offer the playing dates. Within 3 days one of the dates shall be accepted or the game will be conceded to the player who has offered the dates. If the opponent has already arranged to play a Club, County or National competition on one or more of the dates offered then they can request another date.
5.2 Any player who, after all reasonable attempts to contact an opponent, has been unable to do so should inform the Competition Secretary.
5.3 If neither player/team arranges to play the game within the prescribed play by date both entrants may be disqualified from the competition.
5.4 Players are asked to arrange games early to avoid the possibility of all rinks being booked.
5.5 Games are not permitted to be played after the closing date for each round. In extenuating circumstances any application for an extension will be considered by the Competitions Secretary whose decision will be final.
5.6 The Challenger is responsible for booking the rink of his/her choice on the agreed date.
5.7 The Challenger in a singles game will be responsible for arranging a marker.
6. Set Date Competitions:
6.1 These games will be played on the set date and time as set down by the organizing committee.
6.2 The game can be played at an earlier time and date by mutual arrangement and agreement of both teams but cannot be played after the set date. Players should make every effort to accommodate others and find an agreed rearranged date if required. Any change to arrangements should be notified to the Competitions Secretary so that rink bookings can be cancelled.
6.3 Rinks will be booked and allocated by the Competition Secretary.
7. If any player in a team or individual player in singles is unable to play within 30 minutes of the official start time and no valid substitute can be found they will concede the match to their opponents.
8. Match formats
8.1 Singles matches will be played first to 21 with a maximum 3.5 hrs duration excluding trial ends.
8.2 Pairs matches will be played over 2 sets each of 7 ends duration. The best of 3 extra ends shall be played if the match is tied at one set each. The final will be 2 sets of 9 ends and the best of 3 extra ends shall be played if the match is tied at one set each. A maximum time of 3.5 hrs duration shall be allowed excluding trial ends.
8.3 All other matches will be played for 18 ends and a maximum 3.5 hours duration excluding trial end.
8.4 The delivery of the Jack shall constitute the start of an end. An end started before the time limit has elapsed must be completed. No new end can be started after the time limit has elapsed and the score at this point is the result. In the event of a tie, an extra end will be played.
8.5 There are no dead ends, the conditions for re spotting should be followed. The start and finish time must be agreed by both players/teams and entered on the scorecard.
8.6 In all Singles games, unless otherwise prescribed, the winner shall be the first player to reach 21 shots.
8.7 A team or individual can concede a game at any point.
9. Respotting:
9.1 If the jack is driven completely outside the side boundaries of the rink of play or rebounds to a distance of less than 20 metres from the mat line it shall be re-spotted to the nearest re-spot mark. If that position is obstructed then to as near as possible to it along the line joining the re- spot and the marked T.
9.2 If the jack passes above the face of the bank that is within the side boundaries of the rink of play, or comes to rest in any hollow in the face of the bank, it must be placed on the T.
10. Substitutes :
10.1 A substitute is permissible providing he/she has not played or has been drawn to play in any other side in the competition.
10.2 A drawn player is only eligible to play for the team in which they were originally drawn and will be first choice reserve for that team.
10.3 A substitute shall not be allowed under any circumstances if the original drawn player is available to play.
10.4 The original parity of gender in mixed teams will be sustained and parity of experience in seeded teams.
10.5 In the Pairs, Triples and Fours, players taking part in the first game constitute the original entry. One additional (and the same) player may however be used as a substitute at any time. In mixed competitions one of each gender is permissible however at least one of the original players must play in every round.
10.6 A substitute may play in any position except in a resumed game (game interrupted through illness or any other reason). In this case a substitute shall not play in the Skip position.
10.7 Entrants who are not drawn in a team automatically become first choice substitutes for that competition and must be approached to play before any other bowler by a team needing a player. Rules about parity of gender and experience must still be applied.
11. Finals: Competitors must be available for published Finals dates. If players are unavailable substitutes will be used for team events. In singles a walkover will be given against the defaulting player. If any competitor in a singles event becomes aware that they will not be available to play a final, or unable to complete a round due to any circumstances, they must concede their match at the earliest opportunity.
12. Winners of the Club Championship Singles are eligible to represent the Club in the National Champion of Champions.
Reviewed and approved on 3rd October 2023 (3)