General Tournament Rules & Conditions
All games are played in accordance with the Laws of the Sport Crystal Mark Edition 4, except for the local conditions No’s 6,7 and 8, all bowls must bear the legible W.B. I.B.B. or B.I.B.C. stamps of 1985 onwards.
The Umpire/s will control all games and his/her decisions on associated matters will be final.
All bowls will be inspected before the first round of each competition.
1. Dress for all rounds including Finals: plain white collared shirt or manufactured bowls shirt above the waist. Grey trousers/shorts/skirts. Coloured club shirts, trousers/shorts will be allowed. Bowls England or tailored shorts may be worn. Flat smooth bowls shoes. Exception to this rule:- players that do not have the above dress, may wear Smart collared shirts, trousers/shorts/skirts.
NO JEANS or SINGLETS/VESTS will be acceptable under any circumstances.
2. Men’s & Ladies Singles: 21 shots, two trial ends may be played before allotted start time, a maximum time of 2.5 hours for rounds prior to the semi-finals of the tournament proper. In the event of the scores being level an extra end will be played.
3. Men’s Pairs: 21 ends, two trial ends may be played before allotted start time, 3 hours for rounds prior to the semi-finals of the tournament proper. In the event of the scores being level an extra end will be played.
4. Open Triples 18 ends, two trial ends may be played before allotted start time, 3 hours for rounds prior to the semi-finals of the tournament proper. In the event of the scores being level an extra end will be played
5. Mixed Pairs: 4 bowls per player, 21 ends, two trial ends may be played before allotted start time of play, 2.5 hours allowed in rounds prior to the semi-finals of the tournament proper. In the event of the scores being level an extra end will be played.
6. (a) The players named on the scorecard for the first game shall constitute the team.
(b) No substitute shall be permitted except in very special circumstances and solely at the discretion of the Committee. If a substitute is allowed into the team he/she will remain in that team for the remainder of that competition. A substitute cannot skip.
(c) In the event of a competitor being in all five competitions after the singles and pairs quarter finals,he/she will be expected to withdraw from the pairs or triples and a substitute will be allowed. The Committee shall determine the order and time of play of all competitions.
(d) A substitute must already be an entrant in the tournament but he/she must not have taken part in the pairs or triples concerned. No player will be allowed to transfer from his/her original entry to another partner or partners in the competition after the closing dates for entries.If players fail to complete their pair or triples team, their opponents must be given a walkover.
7. Between the date of the draw and prior to the tournament commencement date any entrant who has reported to the Committee that they are unable to play may be replaced from the waiting list kept by the Committee on payment of the full entrance fee
8.(a) The Committee reserves the right to modify the programme arrangements (e.g. the rinks, timing and duration of play) if the planned sequence is disturbed by external circumstances such as inclement
weather.
(b) Any player causing more than 15 minutes delay beyond the scheduled starting time for a game will be disqualified and the game awarded to the opponent(s).
(c) Regardless of Ends played or in Singles, Shots scored when the game has reached its allotted time, the Result shall stand and the game shall be concluded.
9.(a) Scorecards: the Organising Secretary will provide official scorecards at the beginning of each playing session.
(b) In the Singles an appointed Marker will record the score.
(c) In the Pairs and Triples the scores will be recorded by the players under the supervision of the skips in accordance with usual practice.
(d) Spectators are not permitted to mark cards. In the absence of agreement as to measurements or interpretation of rules, the Umpire must be called and his/her ruling or decision will be final.
(e) At the end of a game of singles score cards must be signed by both players and by the marker, while for Pairs and Triples both cards must be signed by both skips. The signed cards must be deposited with the Organising Secretary immediately after completion of the game.
10. Playing Surface: In wet or inclement weather and at the discretion of the Committee.The decision as to whether any green is fit for play will be made by the Parks and Recreation Manager, his representative, or the appropriate Club Official and the Committee will then decide whether and what changes of plan are necessary.
11.Trophies: Winners of Trophies are responsible for having them engraved and sending the account to the Bowls Tournament Treasurer. They are also responsible for returning the Trophies to the Organising Secretary 14 days before the first day of the next Tournament.
12. Prizes: The prizes will be paid by the Treasurer.
13.The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry without being called upon to give a reason. If more entries are received than can be accommodated, entries will be taken in the order in which they are received.
14. A reserved list of entrants will be kept by the Committee for substitution purposes.
15.(a) Smoking on the green is prohibited during all matches played.
(b) For the purpose of clarification the ‘green’ in this instance is deemed to include a minimum of 2 metres of the bank surrounding the playing area.
(c) Should the Club where the game is being played have a total ban on smoking on its premises, the Club prohibition shall apply.
(d) If a Club has a designated smoking area this must also be adhered to. Failure to adhere to these rules shall result in disqualification. Smoking includes all electronic cigarettes.
