SOUTH WALES & MON. W.B.A. LEAGUE RULES 2020
Amended November 2019
“No laws governing a sport can cope with every situation, and the laws governing the sport of bowls are no exception. Unusual situations not covered within the laws can often arise. The Laws of the Sport of Bowls (the laws) have been drawn up in the spirit of true sportsmanship. So, if a situation arises that is not covered by these laws, players, markers and umpires should use their common sense and a spirit of fair play to decide on the appropriate course of action.”
(quotation from WORLD BOWLS Laws of the Sport of Bowls Crystal Mark Second Edition)
1. Leagues
a). There league is made up of two sections, West League and East League, Home & Away during the season.
b). All playing members of all Clubs must be affiliated to the Welsh WBA and to S.W. & Mon W.B.A.
c). A Club which has 9 ( AS STATED IN THE WELSH CONSTITUTION) or more affiliated
member's is qualified to enter the SW & Mon League.
d). A player who changes Clubs during the season may play SW & Mon.League matches for their new club.
2. Bowling Season
a). The first League Matches should be played no later than the third Tuesday in May.
b). All League Matches must be played before the third Tuesday in August.
3. Dates for League Matches
a). Afternoon league matches should be played on the allocated date, starting at 2.30pm.
b). Evening league matches should be played on the allocated date starting not later than 6.00pm.
c). The minimum number of players for all League Matches is 8
d). A club which cannot provide the required 8 players on the day of a League Match must
re-arrange the fixture for a later date
e). Cancelled games the non-offending team must give 3 reasonable dates (different days spread over one month) for the game to be played. If none of these are suitable 10 points and 18 shots to be given to the non-offending team. A written account of these events with dates must be sent to the County Secretary who will call a meeting of the executive committee for its consideration, and a decision ( which will be final) shall be conveyed in writing by the County Secretary to all parties concerned.( as rule 16d of constitution will apply}
f). Games cancelled on a mutual agreement because of adverse weather conditions must be played within a month if teams fail to agree then 9 shots and 5 points to be awarded to each team. g). All games must be played by the third Tuesday in August (Rule 2b).
h). The week of the Annual County Tour should be void of all league fixtures.
4. League Matches
a) Both afternoon and evening matches consist of 18 ENDS (15 ends in adverse weather conditions).
b) Team Captains draw for rinks.
c) All league matches begin with 2 trial ends.
d) Trial ends do not constitute part of the match.
e) One shot on the first 2 ends is not permitted.
f) Opposing Captains must agree before the match starts,on how many ends will be played. Their decision may not be changed.
g) The League Finals to consist of 18 ends. Any changes that wish to be made for any reason, must be put to the S.W.& Mon Executive who preside on that day.
5. Criteria for abandoning a match
a). The green is wholly or partially flooded.
b). Accident or illness of a player(s).
c). Excessive heat (26C / 80F) Common sense should prevail. Both captains must be in agreement before abandoning a match. An abandoned match must be rearranged. g). All decisions regarding the game at play must be made by the Captains only.
6. Abandoned Matches
a). An abandoned “15-end-match” may not be extended to an “18-end-match” on another day.
b). Original players should complete the match.
c). Two trial ends can be played on restarted game.
d). The original cards must be used when re-starting the game - from the end it was abandoned
e). One substitute is permissible per rink
( World Bowls Crystal Mark Third Edition Rule 32.4.1&2 and 33.4)
7. Teams for League Matches
Each team will comprise 3 rinks and points will be awarded as follows:-
Each winning rink - 2 points (1 point each if drawn) Total shots win - 4 points (2 points each if drawn) Maximum total available - 10 points
8. 2 Rink League Matches (one club defaults)
a).A League Match consists of a minimum of 8 players (Rule 3c) b).Permission must be granted by the League Secretary to play 2 rinks c).Before playing with 2 rinks, the opposing team must be informed the previous day (earlier if possible).
d).2 points will be claimed for a missing rink
e).6 shots will be claimed for a missing rink
f).Un-played and un-completed games non offending team – awarded 10 points and 18 shots.
9. 2 Rink League Matches (both clubs default)
Neither club is awarded points or shots for their missing rink
10. 3 Players in a Rink
a). Lead and second players deliver 3 bowls each. The Skip delivers 2 bowls, 25% will be deducted from the score.
b). Upto and including three triples may be played only if Club has insufficient players to put out 3 rinks, 25% will be deducted from the scores, unless following rule 10c.
c). Triples playing with 2 woods each will have no points deducted.
d). Players cannot play with odd woods all woods must have same serial number.
e). When both teams play triples, but BOTH play with 3 woods, or BOTH play with 2 woods, no deduction of shots to be taken (this only applies if a triple play another triple)
12. Players unavoidably detained on route to game.
Game to start with three players 2 woods each and the delayed player allowed to play on arrival in second position only.
13. If a player is unable to proceed in any game, a bone fide substitute is allowed to play, a substitute is allowed to play in the position of the player that has been unable to proceed in the game.
14. Cancellation on the Day of a Match
a) All games to be cancelled at least 3 hours prior to match
b) If game not cancelled before 11am for afternoon, 3pm for evening it will mean the game must be played until green not playable this must be agreed by both captains.
c) Cancelled games: the non offending team must give 3 reasonable dates (different days spread over 1 month) for the game to be played. If none of these suitable then 10 points and 18 shots given to the non offending team. A written account of these events with dates must be sent to County Secretary. ( Rule 16d of the constitution will apply) d) Games cancelled on a mutual agreement because of adverse weather conditions must be played within a month if teams fail to agree then 9 shots and 5 points to be awarded to each team.
e) Any cancellation other than for inclement weather, the offending side forfeit 4 points, these will be awarded to the non defaulting side. The game must be replayed when only the rink points will be played for. i.e. 6 points for a 3 rink game.
15. Match Result
Match results, including cards, must be sent by mail to the League Secretary as soon as possible.
16. League Championships
a) The highest scoring club of each of the two sections will play off in a final, the winners to be
League Champions.
b) Championship to be played on a neutral green.
c) If rink scores are equal after 18 ends, World Bowls Rule 45 applies,
“an extra end should be played” “skips toss a coin” (the winner may give the jack away) “the extra end should be played from where the previous end was completed”
d) If match scores are equal after 18 ends, all 3 rinks play extra ends until a result is obtained.
17. Finals:
League Finals to be in the first week of September.
18. Dress Code
a). Club colours with white regulation skirts/trousers/cut-offs/culottes/ must be worn for all afternoon League matches. White tailored knee length shorts may be worn. White, Brown or Coloured Bowling shoes/sandals.
b). Club colours with grey regulation skirts/trousers/cut-offs/culottes/must be worn for all evening League matches. Grey tailored knee length shorts may be worn. White, Brown or Coloured Bowling shoes/sandals.
19. Smoking is banned during play.
MATTERS NOT COVERED BY THE RULES WILL BE DECIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE
