OSWESTRY & DISTRICT BOWLING LEAGUE

COMPETITION RULES  (Revised 2025)

                     The following Rules have been drawn up by the Management Committee to govern the competitions listed below.

 

INDIVIDUAL MERIT

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players who must have played at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Any number of entries may be made by any one club. No player may enter for more than one club.
  3. No player shall be allowed to play on the green selected for his/her game in the Seven days preceding the date of the competition (league matches are excluded from this rule).
  4. Once the draw has been made, substitutions will only be allowed at the discretion of the Competition Secretary and/or the persons in charge, their decision on the matter will be final and no appeal against that decision will be allowed.
  5. Prizes will be awarded in addition to the cup which will be held by the winner. The cup to be returned to the Competition secretary by May 31st of the following year.
  6. All games to be 21 up and standard Jacks are to be used.
  7. Any protest to be made within 7 (Seven) days accompanied by a fee of £20 (Twenty), which will be returned if the protest is found to be justified.
  8. Any matter not governed by the above rules shall be dealt with by the Management Committee whose decisions shall be final.

INDIVIDUAL KNOCKOUT COMPETITION FOR THE TOTE BOOKMAKERS CUP

              All rules 1-8 of the MERIT competition shall apply.

JUBILEE PAIRS COMPETITION

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players who must have played at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Pairs need not necessarily be composed of players from the same club but no player may enter in more than one pair.
  3. Once the draw has been made, substitutions will only be allowed at the discretion of the Competition Secretary and/or persons in charge, their decision on the matter will be final and no appeal against that decision will be allowed.
  4. Rules 3-8 of the MERIT competition shall apply.

MIXED PAIRS COMPETITION

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players who must have played at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Each pair shall be composed of one lady and one gent who need not necessarily be from the same club. No player may enter in more than one pair.
  3. Rules 3 & 4 of the pairs competition for the Jubilee trophy shall apply.

LADIES SINGLES

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered lady league players who must have played at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Rules 2- 8 of the MERIT competition shall apply.

YOUTH

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players who are under the age of 18 (Eighteen) years on 1st January of the year of the competition.
  2. A referee shall be appointed by the Management Committee.
  3. Games shall be either 11 up, 15 up or 21 up to be decided by the referee in light of the number of entries and the competition may be on a ‘Round Robin’ basis or a straight knockout as he/she may decide.

DIVISION 4, 5 & 6 SINGLES KNOCKOUT (Players in div 4, 5 & 6 only)

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players in divisions 4, 5 & 6 only who must have played in at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Rules 2 – 8 of the MERIT shall apply

DIVISION 4, 5 & 6 PAIRS COMPETITION

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered players in division  4, 5 & 6 only who must have played at least 4 (Four) league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season.
  2. Pairs need not necessarily be composed of players from the same club but no player may enter in more than one pair.
  3. Once the draw has been made, substitutions will only be allowed at the discretion of the Competition Secretary and/or persons in charge, their decision on the matter will be final and no appeal against this decision will be allowed.
  4. Rules 3 & 4 of the Pairs competition for the Jubilee Pairs competition shall apply.

VETERANS SINGLES COMPETITION

  1. This competition shall be open to all registered league players who have reached the age of 60 for men and ladies at the date of the competition.
  2. Games shall be 15 up except for the semi final and final which will be 21 up. Standard Jacks to be used.
  3. Prizes will be awarded in addition to the trophy to be held by the winner. The trophy to be returned to the Competition Secretary by 31st May the following year.
  4. Rules 7 -8 of the MERIT competition shall apply.

LEAGUE DOUBLES COMPETITION FOR THE E J GITTENS CUP

  1. League clubs may enter as many teams has they like, each consisting of 8 (Eight) registered league players of that club who must have played at least 4 (Four)( league games in the current season or 6 (Six) league games in the previous season. No player may play for more than one team in this competition.
  2. The competition shall be played on a two pairs home, 2 pairs away basis up to the final, aggregate scores to count. In the event of a tie on aggregate then the team with most individual winners shall go through to the next round. In the event of a tie on both aggregate and individual winners arrangements must be made to replay the match before the date of the next round. The final to be played on a neutral green to be decided by the Management Committee.
  3. In each round up to the semi finals the home captain shall be the referee. The referee for the final will be appointed by the Management Committee.
  4. The draw shall be made for each match by the captains placing their score cards face down in playing order. All players must be prepared to play when called upon, otherwise a reserve must be used or 21 points forfeited. Visiting teams shall have the Jack in all rounds up to the semi final and final. In the semi finals and final the toss of a coin shall determine the even cast of Jacks.
  5. The captain of the winning team must inform the Competition Secretary of the result of the match within 48 (Forty Eight) hours. (Score sheets are not required).
  6. In the event of a match having to be postponed through adverse weather the captains are responsible for re-arranging another date which must be within 6 days of the original fixture. If no agreement is reached the Competition Secretary must be informed immediately.
  7. Should any club play a ineligible player the match shall be awarded to their opponent irrespective of the actual result.

Rules 6, 7 & 8 of the MERIT competition shall apply.