Competition Rules – Stoke Park Bowling Club

The Competitions shall be managed by the Competition Secretary, who is elected at the AGM in accordance with the Club Constitution.
The Competition Secretary shall resolve all questions and disputes as they arise. The decision of the Competition Secretary shall be final.
Where the Competition Secretary is unable to act in their capacity, or requires assistance with an issue, an appropriate person(s) may be nominated to act on their behalf or assist.
Club Competitions are only open to full playing members of the Club.
The draws for all competitions shall be made by the Competition Secretary assisted by appropriate persons. Draws should made with other club members present, barring exceptional circumstances.
The first/top named player(s) in the draw are the Challenger(s); the second named player(s) are the Opponent(s).
Both sides are encouraged to mutually arrange, agree and play each match at the earliest opportunity.
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.
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.
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 9, and the Opponent(s) become the Challenger(s) for the context of Rules 16 and 17.
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.
All games must be played to the listed competition rules, or otherwise to Bowls England regulations and the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
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.
A scorecard must be kept during the match, then be signed by all players (and marker if applicable), showing players names, the date played, the name of the competition and the final score, and MUST then be placed in the box provided. The winner may advance their name(s) on the displayed competition bracket.
In the event of a side conceding their match, they must inform the Competition Secretary, or submit a signed scorecard confirming the result, to the best of their ability.
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 working days beyond the listed closing date.
The Challenger(s) MUST book a rink of their choice.
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.
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.
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.
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 19 above.
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.
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.
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

Men’s Handicap and Ladies’ Handicap

Each player is allocated a handicap between 0 – 10 at the start of the season by the Competition Secretary
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 and Senior Singles

AS A TRIAL IN 2025, THESE COMPETITIONS ARE BEING PLAYED AS “100 UP”

Veteran Singles is open to members aged 70 years or older, as of 1^st April that season
Senior Singles is open to members aged under 70 years, as of 1^st April that season
Each player uses 4 bowls each
Scoring is as follows; generally, 10 points are scored each end
- The shot (closest) bowl scores 4 points; the second closest bowl scores 3 points; the third closest bowl scores 2 points; the fourth closest bowl scores 1 point
In the event of multiple bowls being equidistant, those bowls all score the HIGHEST available value. e.g. if two bowls are tied for second, the scores given out are 4-3-3-1
The jack is cast by the person who had shot bowl on the previous end
The winner is the first player to reach or exceed 100 points after all bowls have been scored on an end
If both players reach or exceed 100 points on the same end, the player with the highest score wins
If both players reach or exceed 100 points on the same end and are tied, an extra end is played. If after the extra end the scores are still tied, the winner is the player who had shot bowl on the extra end
A designated scoreboard has been supplied that allows scores up to 99, indicated by red tape at the top. If this cannot be used, use of a normal scoreboard is recommended, resetting to zero when reaching 50
The marker may wish to write each bowl’s individual score for each end, only adding once writing the player’s new total, e.g.

The Plate

Players who lose their first match played in the Men’s and Ladies’ Championships, excluding forfeitures and concessions, are automatically entered
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

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 the score is 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 the score is 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

Revised February 2025