Bowls Oxfordshire

OXFORDSHIRE BOWLING ASSOCIATION

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RULES

TWO WOOD SINGLES, FOUR WOOD SINGLES

UNDER-25 SINGLES, PAIRS, TRIPLES, FOURS,

SENIOR FOURS AND UNDER 25 PAIRS

(BOWLS ENGLAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)

All County Championships leading to National Championships shall be played either on weekdays in the evenings with a start time no earlier than 6pm nor later than 6.30pm or at weekends.
For weekday games an earlier start may be arranged by mutual agreement between competitors, but in the absence of mutual agreement the start time of no earlier than 6pm shall be adhered to.
If a player/team fails to appear and be ready to play within 30 minutes after the agreed time for the tie, the opponent/team may claim a ‘walk over’
Should a player, who has been expelled or suspended form a Club, be drawn to play at that Club in any Championship game, other than a side game, run under the auspices of or on behalf of Bowls England, the Club shall either allow the player access to the changing room and green in order to play the game or alternatively advise the challenger(s) to make other arrangements for the game to be played on a neutral green of a Club Affiliated to Bowls England. Under no circumstances shall the opponent(s) be expected to concede the game. Should the expelled or suspended player be a member of a ‘side team’ the Club fielding the player shall ask the Club from whom he/she was banned for permission for that player to access the Club. If permission is refused the player shall be withdrawn from the side. In all other cases the Club may refuse access.
All Competitors in National Championships must have paid affiliation fees, through their Club, for the current year.
All games will be played on starred greens, except in the case of members from the same club being drawn together, who by mutual consent may play off on their own green whether it is starred or not. The County Championship Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and Finals will be played on greens nominated by the Tournament Committee, who will appoint markers and umpires for same. (Under 25 Singles Semi-Finals and Final.)
Should the challenger’s green not be available the tie will be played at an alternative mutually agreed starred green. The challenger shall be responsible for the payment of rink fee’s (where applicable).
There is nothing in the Laws of the Sport or in the rules of the National Championships, as at present constituted, which stipulates that matches may not be played on a surface other than grass.
However, the Challenger shall inform their opponent if there is a likelihood of play on a surface other than grass. It is, however, a condition that National Championships are played outdoors and that the green has been approved by the County Association.
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 in a County Championship event, be unable to participate from the outset in the Championship due to exceptional circumstances, the team may request the use of an additional player if required (in addition to the original players that formed the team in the first match). Such a request shall be made in writing to Bowls England via the County Association for consideration.
The first-mentioned player in the draw is the challenger and will be responsible for payment of any rink fees.
On receipt of notification from the Section Secretary of his opponent, or by reference to the website he must arrange with him to play the tie on his home green on the date indicated in the draw.
A tie may be played, by mutual agreement, on a date earlier than that shown, with the exception of the Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and Finals, which will be played on the dates stated.
The challenger’s Home green shall be the Club from which he entered the County Championships; he will be responsible for arranging that a marker is available in the Singles. No extension of the closing dates for each round will be granted for any reason whatsoever.
Holidays are not accepted as a reason for non-attendance.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to alter any of the dates if, from any cause, it is found necessary.
Game stoppages: If a game is stopped because of darkness, weather conditions or any other valid reason by the Controlling Body, the umpire after an appeal has been made by the players or agreement between the players when an umpire or representative of the Controlling Body is not present; the game must be continued by mutual agreement either on the same day or on a different day before the next scheduled round. If a team or opponent in a singles game, is unable to offer any dates, the defaulting team/player will forfeit the game.
Scores will be as they were when the game was stopped.
Winners must inform their next opponent and the Section Secretary immediately after the completion of the game.
If an end has started but all the required bowls have not been played, it must be declared dead. (The end must be declared dead even if one or more players choose to remain on the green during the stoppage).
If all the required bowls in an end have been played but the process of deciding the number of shots scored (as described in law 23) has not been completed, the number of shots scored must be decided before the game stops.
In a game that is being continued after a stoppage, if any one of the original players in a team is not available, one substitute will be allowed and can play in any position other than skip.
If no eligible substitute is available, the defaulting team will forfeit the game to their opponents.
Two trial ends may be played when the match is resumed on another day.
In a County Championship, if, after the draw for rinks has been made, a player in a competition or game plays on the same rink before the start of play on the day of the competition or game, that player will be disqualified.
The skips, their representatives, or the Controlling Body should make the draw for the rinks on which games are to be played. A minimum of two rinks shall be offered except when all other rinks are being used.
Greens approved as starred have been indicated under the heading of Affiliated Clubs*.
Any Club whose green has not been approved as starred, and wishes it to be inspected for that purpose must apply in writing to the Competition Secretary.
Any complaints as to the state of greens must be made in writing, in the first instance, to the Competition Secretary.
Commencing 1984 all starred greens will be inspected on a three-yearly rota basis.
Score cards must contain the surnames of all players of both teams. In Pairs, Triples and Fours, the players taking part in the first game shall constitute the team and shall normally play together throughout the Championship. One additional, and the same player, may be used as a substitute at anytime provided they have not already played in the Championship. They may play in any position.
Substitutes should be clearly marked on the scorecard.
Winners must keep all their scorecards, duly signed and timed by both skips, and bring them to the Quarterfinals.
A competitor shall not enter any Bowls England Championship under an assumed name, nor shall they represent or allow their name to be submitted by more than one Club or County, in any one year.
The named entrant of a team cannot be a member or substitute of any other team in the same Championship.
If a substitute is required during a game, then the rules in the Laws of the Sport of Bowls (law 33) will apply.
All bowls used in the County Championships must bear a legible stamp, which has an expiry date of 1985 or later. When no umpire is present the onus of checking the date stamp on bowls rests with the opposing player or players concerned.
Should a player wish to challenge the suitability of their opponent’s bowls law 52 in the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
Smoking on the green including electronics will be prohibited during all rounds leading to National Championship Finals. Failure to adhere to this will result in disqualification.
Players with disabilities. The two types of wheelchair currently recognised for use in England are the ‘Bradshaw Buggy” and the ‘Clippy’. Artificial devices for delivering the jack or bowl may be used by players with disabilities, provided they have been approved by Bowls England.
Dress code. All references to white clothing should read predominantly white.
1. In all rounds leading up to the Quarterfinals, dress shall be grey trousers and white, or club registered shirts with flat-soled bowling shoes. Sandals shall not be permitted in events under the jurisdiction of Bowls England, except in medical circumstances where a doctor’s note has been provided.
2. Club apparel may be worn provided that all members of the side or team wear the same and provided the design of such apparel has been registered to the County.
3. Bowls England licensed and County approved apparel (e.g. shorts) may be worn provided that all members of a side or team wear the same colour above and/or below the waist.
4. Players governed by requirements of a specific ethnic culture shall be permitted to wear their traditional dress if they so desire.
5. Tracksuits, shell suits and jeans are not acceptable.
6. Headgear, if worn, should be white or a registered colour.
7. Socks, if visible, should be white.
8. White waterproof clothing may be used, or, providing all members of a side or team wear the same, registered colour waterproof/fleeces are permitted. Bowls England licensed, and County approved apparel may also be worn.
9. Dress for Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals and Finals is as above with the exception of grey trousers which shall be replaced by white trousers.
  For Quarterfinals, players are to arrive in club shirts and grey trousers. For Semi-Finals and Finals, all players will arrive in International, County or Club Blazer, white shirt (not polo) and Club or County tie, grey trousers and either black or brown shoes (not trainers).
Any dispute arising during a Competition should be sent, in writing, to the Competition Secretary immediately after the close of the game.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right of full powers of decision, which must be final.

All winners should make themselves available to represent the County in the Home Counties Championships Finals

All finalists shall be expected to attend the County Presentation Luncheon to

collect their awards.

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Championship format

Singles.Each game shall consist of 21 shots – four bowls each player.

Pairs.(Two players from the same club). Each game shall consist of 18 ends four bowls each player.
The Leads to play their four bowls before the skips. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, and extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached.

Triples.(Three players from the same club). Each game shall consist of 18 ends – three bowls each player. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, and extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached.

Fours. Each game shall consist of 18 ends – two bowls each player. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached.

Two-wood Singles.Each game shall consist of 21 ends – two bowls each player. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached.

Junior Singles.Each game shall consist of 21 shots – four bowls each player. The Championship shall be open to all Members of Clubs Affiliated to Bowls England who have not attained their 25^th birthday on the 1^st April in the year of the Championship. Preliminary rounds will be played on the challenger’s green. The green for all subsequent rounds will be chosen by the Tournament committee.

Junior Pairs.(Two players from the same County). Each game shall consist of 18 ends – four bowls each player. The Leads to play their four bowls before the skips. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached. The Championship shall be open to all Members of Clubs affiliated to Bowls England who have not attained their 25^th birthday on the 1^st of April in the year of the Championship. The two players may belong to different clubs within the same county, so long as both clubs are affiliated to Bowls England.

Senior Fours.(Four players from the same club). Each game shall consist of 18 ends – two bowls each player. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision is reached. The Championship shall be open to all Members of Clubs affiliated to Bowls England who attained their 55^th birthday by the 1^st April in the year of the Championship.
The Challenger shall offer their opponent within 48 hours of the closing date of the previous round at least three dates, one of which shall be a Saturday or Sunday. The offering of two different start times on a single date does not count as two dates. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for any dates offered to be eligible. The time for commencing a match shall be mutually agreed but no side shall be compelled to accept a time earlier than 6.00pm Monday to Friday or 9.30am on a Saturday or Sunday, nor later than 6.30pm on any day.
The opposing side shall, within 24 hours of receipt of the challenge, reply and accept one of the dates offered.
When the draw has been published in advance of the start of the Championship, the Challenger does not need to offer dates until 21 days before the closing date of the first match, nor does the opponent need to accept a date until 19 days before the closing date of that round.
If a challenge has not been made within the specified period, the opponent shall become the Challenger and make all match arrangements including the offering of dates and choice of venue.

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OXFORDSHIRE BOWLING ASSOCIATION

RULES FOR DOMESTIC COMPETITIONS

ALLISON CUP

The Competition shall be open to all members of Clubs affiliated to the Oxfordshire Bowling Association, who have not been awarded a County Badge of any County by 1^st April in the year of the Competition.

LONGFORD CUP

The Competition shall be open to all members of Clubs affiliated to the Oxfordshire Bowling Association, who have attained their 60^th birthday by the 1^st January in the year of the Competition.

OFFICER’S CUP

The Competition shall be open to the following members of Clubs affiliated to the Oxfordshire Bowling Association in the year of the Competition

All members of the OBA General Purposes, Tournament and Selection Committees
Middleton Cup Manager, Under 25s Manager, and County Coach
OBA Representatives to the Home Counties Bowls Association, and County Greens Maintenance Representative
Club Officials: President, Chairman, Captain, Vice-Captain, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Competition Secretary, Match Secretary, OBA Council Delegate.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS CUP

This is open to the Men’s Singles Champion of any Club affiliated to the Oxfordshire Bowling Association. A player shall only be eligible to qualify for the Competition from ONE Club.
If a player is a member of more than one Club, he can only qualify from the club from which he entered his National Championships.
A player who does not enter the National Championships and who enters more than one Club’s Men’s Singles Championship, must, prior to the 1^st May in the year of the Competition inform the County Competition Secretary and declare which will be his qualifying Club. Failure to do so will make him ineligible to qualify from ANY Club for that year.
No substitutes are allowed.
Champions must be in attendance at 9am on the Saturday of the Competition, at a venue decided by the Tournament Committee. Any qualifier not present at that time will be eliminated from the draw.

RULES

The Allison Cup, Longford Cup and Officers’ Cup are 4 woods Singles competitions to 21 shots

Each competition is an open draw from the start.
Games must be played by the date shown in the draw. There will be no extension of dates whatsoever.
Games will be played on the Challengers green, whether it is starred or otherwise.
The first-mentioned player in the draw is the Challenger, who will be responsible for payment of green fees and arranging a marker.
The Challenger shall offer their opponent within 48 hours of the closing date of the previous round at least three dates, one of which shall be a Saturday or Sunday. The offering of two different start times on a single date does not count as two dates. A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for any dates offered to be eligible.
The time for commencing a match shall be mutually agreed but no opponent shall be compelled to accept a time earlier than 6.00pm Monday to Friday or 9.30am on a Saturday or Sunday, nor later than 6.30pm on any day.
The opponent shall, within 24 hours of receipt of the challenge, reply and accept one of the dates offered.
When the draw has been published in advance of the start of the Competition, the Challenger does not need to offer dates until 21 days before the closing date of the first match, nor does the opponent need to accept a date until 19 days before the closing date of that round.
If a challenge has not been made within the specified period, the opponent shall become the Challenger and make all match arrangements including the offering of dates and choice of venue.
If a player fails to appear and be ready to play within 30 minutes after the agreed time for the tie, his opponent may claim a ‘walk over’.
If, after the draw for rinks has been made, a player in a competition or game plays on the same rink before the start of play on the day of the competition, that player will be disqualified.
The Opponent will draw for the rink for the game to be played on.
A minimum of two rinks shall be offered except when all other rinks are being used.
Smoking on the green including electronics will be prohibited during all rounds of Oxfordshire Domestic Competitions.
All bowls used in the County Competitions must bear a legible stamp, which has an expiry date of 1985 or later. When no umpire is present the onus of checking the date stamp on bowls rests with the opposing player or players concerned.
Dress code. See Rule 22 above.
Game stoppages. See Rule 11 above.

Any dispute arising during the Competition should be sent, in writing, text or email to the Competition Secretary immediately after the close of the game. The Tournament Committee reserves the right of full powers of decision, which must be final.

All finalists shall be expected to attend the County Presentation Luncheon to collect their awards

CLUB DOUBLE RINK COMPETITION FOR THE

J. R. HAWKER VICTORY CUP

This is a knock-out competition, open to all Clubs affiliated to the Oxfordshire Bowling Association.

The first Club out of the draw is the challenger, and must make arrangements to play the tie through their opponents Hawker Cup Official as shown in the Hawker Cup Index.

The games will consist of a team of two sides of Four players from each Club playing two bowls each.
One side shall play at home, the other side will play away.
Both matches to be played on the same date.
The game shall consist of 18 ends, but one extra end shall be played on the challengers' rink at home; the points of this end to count only in case of a tie after 18 ends have been played at each venue. This extra end shall not be played until both matches have completed 18 ends.
The total score of the two sides shall decide the winner.

All players must be bona-fide members of the team they represent, and no player shall play for more than one team in any one year; and a Club playing a member who has previously played for another team in the same year shall be disqualified and the defeated Club shall be reinstated.
A maximum of Two teams may enter from each Club.
Unlimited substitution of players within each team is permissible including in resumed games.

The semi-finals and final to be played on the Oxford City & County green, on a date selected by the Tournament Committee.

The Competition shall be played on the dates stated in the draw. The tie may however be played on an earlier date, by mutual agreement. In the event of adverse weather conditions preventing the playing of the game on the date stated, the game must be played on or before the following Friday.
In the event of a resumed game on a subsequent date, the game will resume with the scores, as they were when the game stopped. Two trial ends may be played.
A decision must be reached by the Friday following the date stated in the draw and, if due to continued inclement weather the tie cannot be played, the result shall be decided on the toss of a coin between the two skips playing at the challenger's green.

A suitable Trophy plus a cash prize will be awarded to the Winning Club and Runner-up not to individual players. Losing semi-finalists will play off for cash prizes.

Representatives of the four Semi-finalist’s shall be expected to attend the County Presentation Luncheon to collect their prizes.

Competitions

Rules