CLONTARF BOWLING CLUB
Rules of Competitions, under which competitions in the Bowling Club are to be played, have been adopted by the Bowling Committee on ……………. 2022 in accordance with Rule 19.1 of the Rules & Regulations of the Bowling Club and are consistent with Rule 15.2.22 of the Club Constitution. They shall replace any earlier versions in existence.
All Bowling matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls (Crystal Mark Third Edition. and as amended by IBA for local play)
1/ COMMITTEES AUTHORITY
The Committee is empowered under Rule 19.1 to establish the conditions under which Bowling competitions are to be played in accordance with the Code of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls as laid down by the World Bowls Board and as amended by the IBA and the IWBA for use in domestic competitions. The Committee’s decision on all matters relating to such competitions shall be final.
2/ COMPETITION FEES
Competition fees for internal Club Competitions must be paid to the Bowling Competitions’ Secretary as directed by the Committee. Fees for such competitions must be paid when submitting Entry Forms. In the case of the Clontarf Open Pairs Competition entry fees must be paid to Competitions Secretary with Entry form.
3/ HANDICAPS
The Handicap Committee shall set handicaps at the start of each season and may review and amend handicaps during the season where it is deemed necessary.
4/ MATCH ARRANGEMENTS / Closing Dates
The onus is on the Player on top of draw to arrange a date and time by mutual consent with his opponent and the marker. All matches should be played on or before the closing date. A date arranged by mutual consent shall be deemed a closing date, unless cancelled by mutual consent.
If arrangements have not been made by either team or players, to fix an alternative the posted match closing date will stand.
The player or Team present at the posted closing date can claim a walkover if the opposition had not turned up by 6.15pm after the first week in August or 6.45pm previous, on that Day. If both parties fail to turn up on the closing date both will be eliminated from the competition.
5/ EXTENSIONS
Extensions to posted closing dates for matches may be granted in exceptional circumstances and shall be at the discretion of the Competitions committee. If the competitors are given an extension and cannot agree a date, the Competitions Committee shall fix a date for the match.
6/ WALKOVERS
Walkover cards, signed by the attending competitor and a neutral member of the Club, must be placed in the Competitions Box within fifteen minutes after latest start time for the match to be played has passed. Failure to comply with this rule can result in elimination from that competition of both players
7/ MATCHES ( IBA, BLI rules)
(a) SINGLES
All Singles matches shall be played with four bowls and played to 21 shots.
In handicap competition both players play to 21 shots. Lower handicap players difference is added to the score card at the start of the game.
EG: Player A’s handicap is 3, Player B’s handicap is 6, The difference in handicaps is 3, therefore Player B would have 3 shots added to the score before the first end.
A marker is required for all singles matches
(b) PAIRS
All Pairs competitions shall be played with 4 Bowls to highest score after 18 ends. 1 extra end if game is drawn after 18 ends.
In handicap competitions half the combined handicaps will apply, round up and add to score before the first end on card and on the Board. Play to 18 ends
(c) TRIPLES
All Trips competitions shall be played with 3 Bowls each to highest score after 18 ends. 1 extra end if game is drawn after 18 ends.
In handicap competitions one third the combined handicap to apply. ( .5 and above round up else round down ). round up and add to score before the first end on card and on the Board. Play to 18 ends
(d) RINKS
All Rinks competitions shall be played with 2 Bowls each to highest score after 18 ends. 1 extra end if game is drawn after 18 ends.
In handicap competitions one quarter the combined handicap to apply. ( .5 and above round up else round down ). round up and add to score before the first end on card and on the Board. Play to 18 ends
(e) SKIPS
In the event of a dispute as to who will skip in Pairs, Triples and Rinks matches, it shall be deemed the highest handicap player shall skip.
8/ SUBSTITUTES
In Club competitions other than Singles, only ONE substitute may be permitted. If one player in a Pairs, Triples or Rinks match withdraws due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances another member of the Club, who has not entered or played in that competition, may step in as a substitute once their handicap is the same or less than the person being substituted.
The original player may be re-instated for subsequent games if he/she so desires. The same player must be used in subsequent rounds of that competition if so required.
9/ PRIORITY IN USE OF GREEN
- Bowling League of Ireland or Ladies Bowling League of Ireland matches
- Club competitions
- Roll ups
10/ DRAW FOR RINKS
When Club Competitions are being played a draw for rinks must be made.
The player drawn on the bottom (Away) makes the draw. If more than one match is to be played a draw is made for picking order.
11/ RESERVATION OF RINKS
Club members may not place bowls on the green to reserve a rink for their own game.
12/ COMPETITION SHEETS
Under no circumstances may unauthorised members make alterations to or additions on Competition Sheets.
13/ COMPETITION CARDS
Cards will not be accepted unless fully completed with the following information:
Name of Competition
Players names
Date
Rink No.
Handicaps if applicable
Final Score
Duly Signed by player or Skip from the losing side and posted in Competition box.
14/ CLUB COMPETITIONS (See Competition sheets for rule changes)
( amended each year “if run” for internal competitions only)
a/ Club open Championship All Members “if run”
Singles played to 21 shots, no handicaps apply.
b/ Men’s Senior Championship
Singles played to 21 shots, no handicaps apply.
c/ Ladies Senior Championship
Singles played to 21 shots, no handicaps apply.
d/ Junior Open Championship (Hcap 4 or less)
Singles played to 21 shots, no handicaps apply.
** NOTE : All competitions except the above Championship competitions are Handicapped **
- Presidents Prize
(See Competition sheets for amendments) Handicaps apply.
- Bowling Captains Prize
(See Competition sheets for amendments) Handicaps apply.
- Golf Captains Prize
(See Competition sheets for amendments) Handicaps apply.
- Lady Golf Captain’s Prize
(See Competition sheets for amendments) Handicaps apply.
- Senior Citizens Prize
(Singles open to Men and Ladies who have reached their 70th Birthday the previous year.) Handicaps apply.
- Tuesdays and Fridays
Mixed. Handicaps apply.
Note: Regarding (b), (c) and (d) above, please note that a member may only play in one Club Championship each year.
- JUNIOR COMPETITIONS
Shall be those whose handicaps are between 0-4 (Men’s) 0-4(Ladies)
- CLUB COMPETITIONS. open to all full members
- EVENING MATCHES
Begin no later than 18.30 from the start of the season and from 1st August no later than 18.00
15min grace will be allowed for late arrivals.
On ILB closing dates involving Club players afternoon matches must finish by 17.30.
- FINALS’ DAY
- Finals Day will be set for an appropriate Sunday in September at the discretion of the Committee.
- If the Finals’ Day is postponed due to inclement weather or any other reason the Committee will reschedule another date.
- No player shall be expected to play more than two matches on Finals’ Day. In the event of a player/s reaching three or more Finals then the Committee will set an alternative date for the remaining Finals to be played.
Signed………………………………………………………………………..
Date………………………………………………
The following Bowling Club Bye-Laws shall be deemed to have been amended on the 30th November 2020 and 10th February 2021 subject to, and in accordance with, Rule 9.3.14 of the Rules and Regulations of the Bowling Club.
1. All bowls used on the Green must conform to WORLD BOWLS specifications.
2. No member of the Bowling Club shall use bowls belonging to another Member without the permission of that Member.
3. Players, Umpires and Markers shall wear smooth-soled, heel-less footwear while playing on
the green or acting as Umpires or Markers
4. Players must not drop bowls onto the Green.
5. No smoking permitted on the Green or on the environment of the green, in the club house,
on the veranda or the viewing stand. All smokers must use the Designated Smokers Area.
6. Non-Players shall not be allowed on the green or on the bank surroundings the green, nor
shall they distract or otherwise interfere with players on the green.
7. Members must not dispose of litter of any type, empty glasses or empty bottles anywhere in
the environments of the Bowling Green. These items must be placed in the receptacles
provided and all glasses returned to the bar.
8. Under Rule 19.1 the Bowling Committee shall establish the conditions under which Bowling
Competitions are to be played. Any Local Rules of Competitions, or amendments thereto,
made by the Bowling Committee shall have effect until amended or revoked by such
Committee or by a General Meeting of the Bowling Club.
Click here for Crystal Mark Rules of the Game
DOMESTIC REGULATIONS FOR I.B.A.
Plain English Campaign’s Crystal Mark does not apply to these domestic regulations.
All regulations are made in line with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls (Crystal Mark 3rd Edition), which permits Member National Authorities to make domestic regulations in respect of those aspects of the sport listed in Law 57.1. The regulations apply to all domestic competitions organised by the Irish Bowling Association (IBA) and the Irish Women’s Bowling Association (IWBA) and its member associations and clubs.
Law 6 6.1.5.6
40.1.9
Placing the mat
For domestic play, Member National Authorities can decide the requirements for using portable groundsheets as an alternative to the fixed groundsheets mentioned in this law.
Portable groundsheets are not approved for use in Ireland.
Players Duties – The Skip
“For all domestic team games in Ireland the duties described in law 40.1.7.5 will be transferred to the second player in each team. i.e.: Pairs – the Skip; Triples and Fours – the second.”
The skip will continue to be responsible for entering the finish time, signing the card and agreeing the final score with the opponents.
Law 53 – Bowls: World Bowls Stamp
53.5 With effect from 1 April 2011, all composition bowls (see Law 52.1.1) used for play in the Inter-Association Championships or the semi- finals and finals of the National Championships must bear a legible IBB, WBB, BIBC or World Bowls Stamp, which has an expiry date of 1987 or later.
Composition bowls may be used in games other than those listed above and must bear a legible IBB, WBB, BIBC, or World Bowls Stamp which has an expiry date of 1971 or later.
In addition to the domestic regulations made in line with Law 57.1, the following regulation is made in line with Law 55.3.
Law 55 – Formats of Play
55.3 The formats of play for Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours in all events under the direct control of the IBA or IWBA will be:
- Singles will be 21 shots (shots scored over 21 will not be counted). Four bowls will be played, with each player playing in turn.
- Pairs will be 21 ends. Four bowls will be played, with each player playing in turn.
- Triples will be 18 ends. Three bowls will be played, with each player playing in turn.
- Fours will be 21 ends. Two bowls will be played, with each player playing in turn.
General Competition Rules
IRISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
1 All competitions under the direct control of the IBA or one of its Associations of Clubs shall be governed by the Laws of the Game as laid down by the World Bowls Board and as amended by the IBA for use in domestic competitions. The Council shall determine all questions or disputes that may arise (other than those which come within the scope of an umpire’s duties as defined in 6, below, and elsewhere) and its decision shall be final and binding. The Council may delegate its duties in this respect to a sub- committee whose decisions shall be equally final and binding. IBA competitions shall be open to all male players of member clubs and a player may represent only one club in any one season.
2 For purposes of the competitions other than the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Challenge Cups the country shall be divided into the areas which are within the jurisdiction of the member Associations of Clubs.
3 In the event of a Senior Team unable to field a team in a Senior Cup Competition Match, the fixture must be fulfilled by the team drawing on remaining qualified members, even at the expense of their Junior Cup Team having to withdraw from the Junior Cup Competition
4 With the exception of the Senior and Junior Inter-Association Championships all rounds shall be drawn by ballot.
5 The time set for commencing each match or tie must be adhered to within a limit of 15 minutes, otherwise the match or tie may be claimed by the competitor(s) ready to commence play.
6 Before a match or tie, the rinks to be played on shall be drawn, at the green, by the visiting skips or their representative(s).
7 If considered necessary, the Joint Competitions Committee may appoint qualified Umpires and Markers for matches or ties. It shall be their duty to settle disputes that may arise between the competitors and, in the case of inclement weather, to decide whether the green (at the time) is in a fit condition for play. Their decisions on the fitness of the green shall be final.
8 The trophies for the various competitions shall be presented to the winners (and, if relevant, the runners-up) on a date (or dates) to be fixed by the Council. The recipients shall, on receipt of the trophies, give the Honorary Secretary a written guarantee, signed by the Honorary Secretary of the appropriate club (or Association of Clubs), for their safe custody and return no later than 1 June of the following year.
9 In all games or ties competing players trousers or tailored shorts must be white, cream or coloured or of a design which has been approved by the relevant Association. All players in a team or side shall wear trousers or shorts of the same colour and design.
10 All shirts must have a collar and must be white, or coloured shirts of the participating Club or Association, the colour and design of which have been approved by Council, provided that players in a team or side shall wear shirts of the same colour and design. Pullovers, cardigans, jackets, rainwear and headgear, if worn, must be white or cream or of the same colour and design as approved shirts. Footwear must conform to Appendix A2 of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
11 All competitions under the direct control of the IBA shall be played on flat outdoor greens.