1.1.

The league will be known as ‘The Littlehampton Gazette Bowls League’.

Last Am’d

2.

The entrance fee to be agreed annually at the ADM.

3.1.

The league to be played under the Rules of Bowls England and the Laws of the Game, subject to any overriding local rules as detailed below. The League shall be under the control of a Management Committee comprising of the league Officers (Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer) and four Committee Members. The four Committee posts may not be filled by more than one member from any one club.

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3.2.

Members are reminded of the following specific rules of Bowls England:

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a)

No smoking on the green;

b)

All woods used in matches must carry a stamp of 1985 or later;

c)

The skip shall mark the card in all matches;

d)

All woods in a team shall carry identification.

4.

The league to be for MEN only.

5.

Players eligible to play in the league will be registered members of the club they are representing who have either:

a)

represented that club in county competition during the current season - OR

b)

not represented any club in county competitions during the current season.

6.

No player shall play for more than one member club in league fixtures during the same season.

7.

Club coloured shirts may be worn or white above the waist for all matches. White trousers/shorts to be worn for afternoon matches and grey for evening fixtures unless agreed by both clubs beforehand. The wearing of shorts is subject to each individual Clubs rules.

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8.

Each team will play the other teams in their division of the league twice during the season, once at home and once away.

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9.

Four (4) rinks to be played to constitute a match. If a club cannot fulfil four (4) complete rinks then League Rule 3 to apply.

10.

All rinks to play 21 ends.

11.

Trial ends to be played as agreed between competing clubs.

12.

Rinks to be drawn.

13.

Visiting clubs to bowl the jack on the first end at all times.

14.

Matches will not be re-arranged on another date for any reason.

15.

Points to be awarded on the following basis:

a)

Two (2) points awarded to the match winning team;

b)

One (1) point awarded to teams in a tied match;

c)

Two (2) points awarded for each winning rink;

d)

One (1) point awarded for each tied rink;

e)

Five (5) points awarded to each club for a match cancelled due to inclement weather. It is the responsibility of the home team to cancel any fixture due to inclement weather and they must notify the away club. Matches will not be re-arranged and played on another date;

f)

Ten (10) points for default awarded to non offending team.

(i)

The offending team will be automatically deducted ten (10) points for non completion of the fixture;

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(ii)

The Management Committee reserve the right to reduce or rescind this penalty if after consideration of any appeal from an offending club, they find that there were exceptional extenuating circumstances. Their decision shall be final.

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g)

In matches abandoned after the commencement the rink scores to count if a minimum of eleven (11) ends have been completed on all rinks. If a break is taken it must be after eleven (11) ends have been completed on all rinks.

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16.

Match scores and results to be telephoned or e-mailed to the leagues **‘divisional results co-ordinator’ before 22:30 on the day of the fixture by BOTH clubs. Completed results sheets to be returned to the leagues **‘divisional results co-ordinator’ by e-mail or first class post to be received within two (2) days of the date of the fixture.

** Division One – ??

** Division Two – ??

** Division Three – Brian Heal (01243/538070) – brian.pat78@talktalk.net

17.1.

At the end of the season the top team, in all but the 1st Division, will be promoted to the next highest division. The bottom team, in all but the bottom Division, will be relegated to the next lower division.

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17.2.

The 2nd place team will normally also be promoted and the 2nd bottom team normally relegated – unless it is necessary to block this promotion/relegation in order to adjust the balance of teams in the divisions.

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17.3.

If at the end of the season clubs are level on points the order of placement in the league table shall be determined by aggregate shot difference and if aggregate shot differences are equal then by shot averages.

18.

The annual delegates meeting of the league shall be held in October.

19.

Any clubs applying to join the league must forward their application in writing to the league secretary no later than 31st August in the year prior to them wishing to join.

20.1.

All matches shall be arranged to commence no later than18.00 hours and no league matches to be played after 7th September. No evening matches shall be played after the 14th August and if played after the 7th August shall have a start time of no later than 17.30. Matches played on artificial surfaces after the 1st August must have a start time of 30 minutes earlier than those quoted above. Where a club has two teams in the same division, the two matches between the teams must be the first two games played.

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20.2.

Trial ends shall begin at the time appointed for the beginning of the match with delays for more than one absentee player being allowed as follows:

a)

For games commencing after 17.30 a maximum of 20 minutes may be permitted;

b)

For afternoon games a maximum delay of 30 minutes may be permitted before the trial ends must commence. Once the first jack has been bowled to commence the game proper no player may join the game and Bowls England rules regarding shortage of players shall apply.

20.3

Where just one player is absent at the time due for the commencement of the match the following shall apply:

Oct 11

a)

The trial ends followed by the match, shall commence at the time scheduled for the commencement of the match with seven players each bowling their two woods.

b)

The absentee player shall be allowed to take his place in the team as recorded on the match card, provided he arrives prior to the jack being bowled for the commencement of the sixth end. If he fails to arrive by that time the team shall continue to play one player and two woods short for the entire game;

c)

Play on the rink shall be as follows:

(i)

Whichever team wins the end the lead (or two if the lead is the player missing), shall place the mat and deliver the jack;

(ii)

The Lead of the team with four players shall then play both of his two woods followed then by the other six players playing in order commencing with whichever team won the previous end;

d)

There shall be no deduction of 25% from the score.

21.1.

Clubs may, if they wish, enter more than one team in the league. The teams to be designated ‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘C ’etc. Any new team entering the league shall start in the bottom division.

21.2.

If a club enters more than one team in the league:

Oct 11

a)

A list of 10 ‘nominated players’ for each team other than the lowest team, must be provided to the Hon. Secretary before those teams play their first fixture in the league;

b)

These nominated players may only play for the team for which they have been nominated or a higher lettered team (i.e. ‘A’ can only play for ‘A’, and ‘B’ for ‘B’ or move up to ‘A’);

c)

Once any player has played 33% (6 matches) for a team, or a combination of teams at the higher level that player can no longer play at the lower level (i.e. once a ‘B’ team players has played 6 matches for the ‘A’ team he is no longer eligible to play for the ‘B’. Once any un-nominated player has played 6 matches for either the ‘A’ or ‘B’ team he is no longer eligible to play for the ‘C’ team etc.);

d)

Where a player is nominated to a specific team, if after 6 matches have been played by that team that player has not yet played in a match, the club are required to notify the Hon. Secretary of a replacement nominated player. This player shall be the player who has played the most games in that team who is not already a nominated player. Any club that fails to nominate any necessary replacement player - before the next league match is played - will be deducted 2 points.

NB – whilst the League maintain records to check against it is the Clubs responsibility to ensure that it does not infringe this rule.

21.3

In the event of a team fielding an ineligible player the points for the rink in which he played shall be awarded to the opposition plus the two points for the match result.

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22.1.

Rule changes may only be made at an ADM after prior circulation to all clubs. Any proposed rule change to be made in writing and sent to the Hon. Sec. at least 28 days prior to the ADM. The Hon. Secretary shall forward such changes to all clubs a minimum of 14 days prior to the ADM together with details of any other business to be conducted.

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22.2.

Two delegates from each club may attend and speak - but only one may vote.

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23.

A decision on any matters not accounted for above will be made by a sub committee consisting of at least two of the following - the league Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon Treasurer and their decision shall be final.

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24.

Appeals

24.1

Any club that has been imposed a penalty under the above rules, and considers it has exceptional extenuating circumstances, shall submit an appeal, in writing, to the Hon Secretary, within 7 days of the date of the match, stating full reasons for their failure to comply. Any such appeal will be considered as soon as possible by the Management Committee and in all cases no later than 28 days after the date of receipt. The decision of that committee shall be final.

Oct 11

1.1.

The ‘PC Cup’ will be a knockout competition and entry will be by invitation only to existing member league clubs.

Last Am’d

2.

The entrance fee to be NIL, all expenses to come from the leagues general account.

3.

The matches to be played under the Rules of Bowls England and the Laws of the Game, subject to any overriding local rules as detailed below and shall be under the management of the league Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer.

4.

The league to be for MEN only.

5.

Players eligible to play in the league will be registered members of the club they are representing who have either:

a)

represented that club in county competition during the current season - OR

b)

not represented any club in county competitions during the current season.

6.

No player shall play for more than one member club in league fixtures during the same season.

7.

Club coloured shirts may be worn or white above the waist for all matches. White trousers/shorts to be worn for afternoon matches and grey for evening fixtures unless agreed by both clubs beforehand. The wearing of shorts is subject to each individual Clubs rules.

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8.

The draw for the competition to be made prior to the commencement of the season and circulated to clubs no later than 24th April.

9.

Four (4) rinks to be played to constitute a match. If a club cannot fulfil four (4) complete rinks then League Rule 3 to apply.

10.1.

The club drawn at home must challenge the away club no later than 3rd of the month in which the tie is to be played. If the home club fails to offer dates by the 3rd of the month home advantage and choice of dates shall revert to the away club. The away club must challenge the home club no later than the 7th of the month in which the tie is to be played. Clubs must offer four (4) dates during the month at least one of which must be a weekend. Should the side challenged be unable to accept any of the dates offered they shall forfeit the match. All weekend matches to start at 10.00 and mid week matches at 18.00 except in August when mid week matches start at 17.30 if played after the 7th. Clubs may by mutual agreement arrange to play a match in the afternoon or to start earlier than 18.00 hours. No evening matches shall be played after the 14th August. Matches played on artificial surfaces after the 1st August must have a start time of 30 minutes earlier than those quoted above.

10.2.

Trial ends shall begin at the time appointed for the beginning of the match with delays for more than one absentee player being allowed as follows:-

Oct 11

a)

For games commencing after 17.30 a maximum of 20 minutes may be permitted;

b)

For afternoon games a maximum delay of 30 minutes may be permitted before the trial ends must commence. Once the first jack has been bowled to commence the game proper no player may join the game and Bowls England rules regarding shortage of players shall apply.

10.3

Where just one player is absent at the time due for the commencement of the match the following shall apply:

Oct 11

a)

The trial ends followed by the match, shall commence at the time scheduled for the commencement of the match with seven players each bowling their two woods;

b)

The absentee player shall be allowed to take his place in the team as recorded on the match card, provided he arrives prior to the jack being bowled for the commencement of the sixth end. If he fails to arrive by that time the team shall continue to play one player and two woods short for the entire game;

c)

Play on the rink shall be as follows:

(i)

Whichever team wins the end the lead (or two if the lead is the player missing), shall place the mat and deliver the jack.

(ii)

The Lead of the team with four players shall then play both of his two woods followed then by the other six players playing in order commencing with whichever team won the previous end.

d)

There shall be no deduction of 25% from the score.

11.

The away club shall notify acceptance of one of the dates offered within 3 days of the offer being made by the challenger. The Hon. Secretary to be advised by telephone or e-mail of the date and time of all matches by BOTH clubs - as soon as one of the four dates has been accepted.

Oct 11

12.

Match scores and results to be telephoned or e-mailed to the **Hon. Secretary before 22:30 on the day of the fixture by BOTH clubs. Completed results sheets to be returned to the **Hon. Secretary by e-mail or first class post to be received within two (2) days of the date of the fixture.

** Hon. Secretary:- Rod McBeth 01903 879870 – rodmcb@btinternet.com

13.

All rinks to play 21 ends.

14.

Trial ends to be played as agreed between competing clubs.

15.

Rinks to be drawn.

16.

Visiting clubs to bowl the jack on the first end in all games.

17.1.

In matches abandoned after the commencement the rink scores to count if a minimum of eleven (11) ends have been completed on all rinks. If a break is taken it must be after eleven (11) ends have been completed on all rinks.

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17.2.

Should a match be abandoned prior to commencement or before 10 ends have been completed on all rinks the match will be re-arranged. Any re-arranged match must be played no later than 7 days after the original date. The home club to offer two new dates to the away club on the day of the cancellation. Should the home club fail to offer 2 dates on the day of the match they shall forfeit the match. The away club must accept one of these dates during the next 24 hours or will forfeit the match

18.

The team scoring the most shots when the totals from the 4 rinks are added up will be deemed to be the winner. Should the scores be level one (1) extra end will be played on a single rink only to determine the winner. A draw to be made before commencement of play to decide the rink that will play the extra end.

19.1.

Rule changes may only be made at the Annual Delegates Meeting after prior circulation to all member clubs. Any proposed rule change to be made in writing and sent to the Hon. Secretary at least 28 days prior to the ADM. The Hon. Secretary shall forward such changes to all clubs a minimum of 14 days prior to the ADM together with details of any other business to be conducted.

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19.2.

Two delegates from each club may attend and speak but only one may vote.

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20.

A decision on any matters not accounted for above will be made by a sub committee consisting of at least two of the following - the league Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon Treasurer and their decision shall be final.

Oct 11