Competition Rules

Mid Wales Women's Bowling Association - Competition Rules

MID WALES WOMEN’S BOWLING ASSOCIATION COMPETITION RULES
1. The County competitions shall be administered by The Competition Secretary under the rules and regulations of Welsh Women’s Bowling Association and Bowls Wales in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
2. All competitors must have paid affiliation fees, through their club, for the current year.
3. A competitor shall not enter any other Welsh Counties Competitions, or allow their name to be submitted by more than one club or County in the United Kingdom in any one year.
4. Each affiliated club shall forward to the Competition Secretary the number of entrants in each competition, together with the relevant entrance fees (as determined by MWWBA) by the 28 th February each year.
5. Should a Club cease to exist after the entry date, the members may be permitted, for one season only to compete under the name of that club irrespective of which club or clubs they may have joined.
6. Each entry shall be made by one named player only, and that player shall be excluded from being a substitute in the same discipline. Should the named entrant be unable to participate from the outset in the competition, the team must contact the Competition Secretary and submit another named player. Any named player is excluded from joining another team or act as a substitute in the same discipline.
7. After closing date a draw will take place and the results will be sent to each affiliated Clubs Secretary. Decisions regarding these competitions will be discussed at the Spring Meeting and any alterations regarding play will be agreed upon for the current season.

County Competitions shall comprise:

Singles: Each game shall consist of 21 shots – 4 bowls each player. - 3 games to be played on the day
Two Wood Singles: Each game shall consist of 21 ends – 2 bowls each player. - Play down to finals on the day The winner of the Two Wood Singles must participate in the Quarter Finals of the National Two Wood Singles competition.
Pairs: Each game shall consist of 21 ends – 4 bowls each player. - 2 games to be played, 3 rd optional.
Triples: Each game shall consist of 18 ends – 3 bowls each player. - 2 games to be played, 3 rd optional.
Two Wood Triples: Each game shall consist of 21 ends – 2 bowls each player. - 3 games to be played.
Fours: Each game shall consist of 21 ends – 2 bowls each player.- 2 games to be played.
Victrix Ludorum: A trophy will be presented to the competitor who has accumulated the highest number of points in the above 6 Competitions and has played in every round of the competition, regardless of a bye or walkover.

Points to be awarded:

Competition	Winner	Losing Finalist	Semi-finalists	Quarter- finalists
4 Wood Singles	8 points	6 points	4 points	2 points
2 Wood Singles	7 Points	5 Points	3 Points	1.5 points
Pairs	6 points	4 points	2 points	1 point
2 & 3 Wood Triples and Rink.	5 points	3 points	1.5 points	Nil

** The trophy will not be presented if there is no outright winner**

Senior Pairs Each game shall consist of 18 ends – 4 bowls each player. Each player must be 60 years of age or over as at 1 st April in the year of the competition. Competition must consist of at least 4 teams of pairs
Under 25 Singles: Each game shall consist of 21 shots – 4 bowls each player. Each player must be under the age of 25 as at 1 st April in the year of the competition. Competition must have at least 4 entrants.
Under 16 Singles: The number of shots will be determined on the number of entrants – 4 bowls each player. Each player must be under the age of 16 as at 1 st April in the year of the competition. Competition must have at least 4 entrants.

2.1 At the start of each game 2 trial ends shall be played, with the opportunity to play the maximum number of bowls within the discipline being played.

2.2 In the event of a drawn game, an EXTRA END OR ENDS must be played until a decision is reached.

2.3 It is requested that to assist with schedule of play that matches be conceded where it is not possible for the losing team/individual to win.

Rules and Regulations.
1. Each Competition (with the exception of the Senior Pairs and both under 16 and 25 singles) will be allocated a week-end day to play off the initial rounds, (any club drawn against each other are allowed to play off at home beforehand, player on top to have choice of rink). All rounds thereafter the initial day must be played by the stipulated date and by mutual agreement, with the Challenger making all the arrangements. If the participants clubs are over 30 miles apart, the game must be played on a neutral green, roughly half way between, otherwise the next round is to be played on the Challenger’s green.
2. Senior Pairs and the Under 25 Singles To make their own arrangements to play any rounds up to and including Quarter Finals. The Challenger is responsible for making the arrangements and the 30 mile limit will Determine if a neutral green is required.
3. Under 16 Singles The number of shots and rounds to be played will be arranged annually at the Spring Meeting.
4. Pairs, Triples & Fours In Pairs, Triples and Fours, the players taking part in the first game shall constitute the team and shall normally play together throughout the competition. The Skip is responsible for ensuring that the names of each member of her team are entered onto the score card.
5. The named entrant conceding a walkover before their first game CANNOT act as a substitute in the same competition, as this is considered a game played and lost.
6. After the end of each match the winning skip/singles player must take both signed scorecards to the office immediately, or the result notified to the Competition Secretary.
7. In Pairs, Triples and Fours, the players taking part in the very first game shall constitute the team but one additional, and the same player, may be used as a substitute at any time provided they have not already played in the same competition. They may play in any position. If a substitute is required during a game then the rules in the current Laws of the Sport of Bowls apply.
8. 2 Wood Singles and 4 Wood Singles. The draw for the singles competition will take place at the beginning of March each year and Club Secretaries will receive this list. If competitors are unable to play on the day they must notify the Competition Secretary at least 24 hours prior to the competition. They will then be deleted from the list and a competition sheet shall be compiled with the remaining competitors keeping the same order. The competition sheet will be available on the day of the competition. No reimbursement of fees will be made.
9. If players arrive more than half an hour late in subsequent rounds of competitions after the time fixed for a game, or fail to appear, in the absence of a satisfactory explanation the other players may claim a “walk over”.
10. The latest time for a County Competition to be scheduled to commence to be 6.30p.m.
11. The draw for rink/s to be played on will be made in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport.
12. No player in a competition shall play on the same rink on the day of such competition before play commences under penalty of disqualification.
13. Competitions held on the first day for the initial rounds to be played will commence at 10 a.m. prompt with the Presidents welcome speech at 9.45a.m. All participants in the 2 and 4 wood singles needs to report in by 9.30a.m. Only 10 minutes to be allowed for lateness for Competitions held on a schedule date set for the initial round of competitions excluding singles, afterwards the opponents to claim the game.
14. An Umpire will be provided for the initial rounds of the competition, and any of our qualified Umpires can officiate if not involved in a game.
15. An Umpire, along with the green keeper and Competition Secretary will decide if the green is fit for play, and shall have the power to postpone play at any point. Should play be postponed the current Laws of the Sport of Bowls will apply.
16. Smoking or Vaping is NOT permitted on the greens.
17. All competitions down to Semi Finals must be completed by the end of July.
18. Players selected for approved international duties, together with Officers and Officials on duty with the Welsh teams, must be allowed to play in all stages of County Competitions should dates clash.
Semi Finals and Finals Day
- Semi Finals shall be played on the Senior Vice President’s green on the second Saturday in August each year with the Finals being played on the President’s green on the following Saturday. In the event that these dates clash with Commonwealth Games or World Bowls then the dates will be altered for that year only, at the preceding A.G.M.
- If a competitor is in more than 3 competitions excluding 2 wood singles on Semi or Finals day, provision be made for one or two to be played off beforehand. The Executive Committee to decide which competition(s) this should be.
- The Executive Committee shall appoint the markers required for Semi and Finals Day.
- Coloured discs to be used on Semi and Finals Day.  All singles competitions will be played first wherever possible.
- At the conclusion of all Finals a presentation will take place, but all trophies must be returned by the Autumn meeting for engraving ready for presentation at the Annual Luncheon
Dress Code.

The dress worn by players in County Competitions must be as follows:
- Club colours may be worn through all stages of the competitions, including Semi Finals and Finals
- Pairs, Triples and Rinks must all be dressed the same
- Regulation bowling shoes or bowling sandals
Disputes

The Executive Committee shall determine all questions and disputes that may arise and that do not come within the scope of the Umpire’s duties. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final and binding. The Executive Committee reserve the right to alter starting times and rinks if it is considered necessary or desirable.

Competition Rules updated October 2024 ~ SF