Stoke Park Bowling Club

Competition Rules

CLUB COMPETITION RULES 

  1. The Competitions shall be managed by the Competition Secretary who is elected at the AGM in accordance with the Club Constitution. 
  1. Club Competitions are only open to full playing members of the Club. 
  1. The draws for all competitions shall be made by the Competition Secretary assisted where necessary by the Competition Committee. 
  1. The first/top named player(s) in the draw are the Challenger(s); the second named player(s) are the Opponent(s). 
  1. Both sides are encouraged to mutually arrange, agree and play each match at the earliest opportunity. 
  1. The Challenger(s) must give the Opponent(s) three dates, only one of which may be a Saturday or Sunday morning. At least 72 hours’ notice must be given before the earliest date offered. 
  1. The Opponent(s) must accept one of the offered dates, unless a further convenient date is arranged by mutual consent before the closing date of the round. Failure to do this will result in that side being eliminated. 
  1. If no dates are offered within 7 days of the closing date then the Opponent(s) can offer a single date within the time frame of the round. 
    In this case, the Challenger(s) become the Opponent(s) in context of Rule 7, and the Opponent(s) become the Challenger(s) for the context of Rules 14 and 15. 
  1. In the event of a match not being played before the closing date, the side(s) found at fault for this may be eliminated, at the discretion of the Competition Secretary. 
  1. All games must be played to the listed competition rules, or otherwise to Bowls England regulations and the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. 
  1. Starting times of the game must be by mutual consent, the earliest start on weekdays is 2pm, or after 10am at the weekend. Consideration must be made to not clash with any club matches, and for those that work. 
  1. All score cards must be signed by all players (and marker if applicable), and show all players names, date played, name of the competition and score, and then be placed in the box provided. The winner may advance their name(s) on the displayed competition bracket. 
  1. Any dispute must be referred to the Competition Secretary at the earliest opportunity. Where applicable, in very exceptional circumstances, the Competition Secretary can allow an extension of a maximum of TWO days beyond the listed closing date. 
  1. The Challenger(s) will be responsible for booking a rink of their choice. 
  1. The Challenger(s) will be responsible, in singles competition, for providing a marker, who must not be a relative, partner or spouse of either player, except by mutual consent. 
  1. In exceptional circumstances in Pairs competitions, at the discretion of the Competition Secretary, should a player be unable to fulfil a match prior to the closing date, a Substitute may be found to replace them. 
  1. A Substitute must not have played or been listed in the competition previously. The substituted player may no longer play in that competition. Only one substitute may be found per originally listed pair. No substitutes can be found/used only for the Final. 
  1. In the event of an odd number of entries being accepted in Pairs competitions (and no other entries can be found), the last player drawn will listed as ‘First Reserve’ and should be approached first in the event of Rule 16 above. 
  1. Players should not enter any competitions if not available over the designated Finals Weekend. Should a player find they are not available after the competitions have been drawn, they should immediately notify the Competition Secretary. 
  1. The dress code is that players should wear normal Club uniform i.e. Club or white shirt and navy trousers or shorts together with suitable bowling shoes.  
  1. The Competition Secretary shall resolve all questions and disputes as they arise. The decision of the Competition Secretary shall be final. 
  1.  The presentation of competition trophies shall be made at the Club’s Annual Dinner. 

SPECIFIC CLUB COMPETITION RULES  

Men’s Championship and Ladies’ Championship 

  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 
  • Losers of the First Round are automatically entered into The Plate 

Men’s Handicap and Ladies’ Handicap 

  • Each player is allocated a handicap between 0 – 7 at the start of the season by the Competition Committee 
  • Each player’s handicap is added to their score before the start of the match 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 

2 Wood Singles 

  • Each player uses 2 bowls each 
  • Only bowls within 3 feet of the jack may score 
  • First player to 18 shots wins the match 

Veteran Singles 

  • Competition is open to members aged 70 years or older, as of 1st April that season 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 

4 Wood Pairs 

  • Pairs are drawn at random by the Competition Committee 
  • Players may play in any position, and may switch positions between rounds 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • The pair with the highest score after 21 ends wins 
  • If score are tied after 21 ends, an extra end will be played 
  • The winner of a coin toss decides who receives the mat on the extra end 

3 Wood Pairs 

  • Pairs are drawn at random by the Competition Committee 
  • Players may play in any position, and may switch positions between rounds 
  • Each player uses 3 bowls each 
  • The game consists of 2 sets of 9 ends 
  • The mat on the first end of each set alternates (e.g. Set 1 to Pair A, Set 2 to Pair B) 
  • If after 9 ends the set score is tied, the set is drawn 
  • If after 2 sets both pairs have won 1 set, or both sets were drawn, a 3-end Tie Break will be played 
  • At the start of the Tie-Break, the winner of a coin toss decides to take the mat on End 1 or End 2. Their opponents take the mat on the end not chosen 
  • Only 1 shot per end is scored in the Tie-Break 
  • If the first 2 ends of the Tie-Break are shared, a coin toss decides who receives the mat in the deciding third end 

2 Wood Pairs 

  • Pairs are drawn at random by the Competition Committee 
  • Players may play in any position, and may switch positions between rounds 
  • Each player uses 2 bowls each 
  • The pair with the highest score after 18 ends wins 
  • If score are tied after 18 ends, an extra end will be played 
  • The winner of a coin toss decides who receives the mat on the extra end 

The Plate 

  • Competition is open to those who lose in the First Round played in the Men’s and Ladies’ Championships, excluding byes, forfeitures and concessions 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 

Under 70s 

  • Competition is open to members aged under 70 years, as of 1st April that season 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 

Novices 

  • Competition is open to members who have not won a singles competition at any club, including previous clubs. Eligibility will be judged by the Competition Secretary. 
  • Each player uses 4 bowls each 
  • First player to 21 shots wins the match 

Revised January 2024