Club Competition Rules
Club Competition Rules
Club Competition Rules – Winter 2025 / 2026
The Laws of the Sport of Bowls Crystal Mark 4th Edition (including any amendments) shall apply in all circumstance not covered by these rules. In the event of any dispute the Competitions Committee’s decision is final.
1. Availability to Play on Finals Day
The dates on which the finals will be played will be stated on the entry form. All players entering the competitions must be available to play on these days. If a player or pair withdraws at any stage, they will be replaced by an appropriate substitute.
2. Programme
The Competitions Committee will make the draw (which any member may attend and observe) from the entries submitted and the results of the draw will be displayed on the Competitions Notice Board. The schedule will show a date for the completion of each round, and all games must be played prior to or on the completion date. No extensions to this deadline will be permitted except in the following two very exceptional circumstances, serious illness, or bereavement, with the agreement of the Competitions Committee. The Committee’s decision will be final. No match should be forfeited – if you are unable to play, please inform the Competitions Committee as there may be reserves available to take your place.
3. Arranging the Game
In singles matches the top name is the challenger and should contact the opponent to arrange the game. In pairs matches the last name of the top pair is the challenger and should make the arrangements. Three dates, including one during a weekend, must be offered at least 2 weeks before the play by date. Failure to do this will result in the opponents becoming the challengers. In singles competitions the challenger should arrange a marker.
Games shall be arranged with a mutually agreed start time on the chosen date of play. Play will commence when the required number of players from both sides are on the green. (See also Section 14)
Players are reminded that they must book sufficient rink space in order to complete the game without interfering with other bookings.
4. Arranging Rinks on Bowlr
The challenger must book a rink on Bowlr. Booking your rink on Bowlr will give you the time slot for your chosen game.
At the end of the game the winner must log the result on the draw sheets on the Competitions notice board and place the scorecard in the completed competition matches holder. (See section 11)
5. Duration of each Game
The duration of each game is as follows:
ROUNDS:
Champion of Champions – 21 Shots
Other Singles Matches – 21 Shots or 2 hours play
Pairs – 18 ends or 2 hours play
Clyno – First to 55 points or 2 hours play
Generation Pairs - 2 sets of 6 ends (If a draw, a deciding end is played).
FINALS:
Singles – 21 shots (no time limit)
Pairs - 18 ends (no time limit)
Clyno – 55 points (no time limit)
Generation Pairs - 2 sets of 6 ends (If a draw, a deciding end is played).
6. Clyno Rules and Scoring
The Clyno is a singles competition with each player having 3 bowls and the winner being the first player to reach 55 points.
On the completion of each end the bowl nearest the jack scores 3 points, the second bowl scores 2 points and the third bowl scores 1 point. In the event of two counting bowls being equidistant from the jack each player will receive the same points, for example:
Each player equidistant from the jack will score 3 points each. The next nearest wood, if equidistant will score 2 points each and similarly if the 3rd wood is equidistant each player will receive 1 point each.
If the score reaches 54-54 then the player with the closest wood to the jack in the next end will be deemed the winner.
7. Trial Ends
In the Men’s and Ladies Champion of Champions competitions, 2 trial ends of 2 woods are permitted.
Trial ends are not permitted in any other matches except on finals day - 2 trial ends of 2 woods per player, if both teams wish to have them.
8. Visits to the Head
Visits to the head are allowed in all singles matches after the bowler has bowled their 2nd wood.
Visits to the head are permitted in pairs matches when the Skip may visit the head after their 2nd wood.
9. Dead Ends and Re-Spotting
Champion of Champions matches - Where the Jack comes to rest outside of the rink boundary a dead end is declared.
All other competitions – Where the Jack comes to rest outside of the rink boundary, the Jack is to be re-spotted on the nearest re-spot position.
10. Equal Scores (Excluding Clyno)
If at the end of the prescribed number of ends/time the scores are equal, an extra end shall be played. Before the extra end starts, players will toss a coin to decide the order of play. The player/team with the bowl nearest the Jack will be declared the winner.
11. Score Cards
All score cards must be completed and signed by both Players/Skips and placed at the end of the game in the Competitions Completed Scorecards holder. The signatory/ies of the card shall ensure that they annotate the card with any changes e.g. revised dates, times, late start, substitutes etc. The correct name of the competition being played must be written clearly at the top of the scorecard and where required the start time and marker’s name.
12. Substitutes
Singles Matches: If a player withdraws at any stage they will be replaced by an appropriate substitute. If no substitute can be found a decision will be made by the Committee whether to award a bye or promote the player that lost to the ‘withdrawer’ in the previous round.
Drawn Pairs: If a substitute is required in a drawn pairs competition, the Committee must be informed, and they will try to provide a substitute. Substitutes are only to be appointed by the Competitions Committee. If a substitution is made in round one, it will be deemed to be permanent change. If a substitution is made in subsequent rounds this will be deemed as a “One off” and the original player is allowed to return, if the pair wishes. Once drawn, a player cannot play in another Pair in the same Drawn Pair Competition.
13. Markers
The challenger in any Singles Game (the top name on the draw sheet) must arrange a marker as the game cannot be played without one. Where possible, a marker should be from the list of members who have completed a markers course. Markers must wear regulation bowling clothes and shoes. Guidelines for Markers are available; please ask the Competitions Committee if you cannot see them on the Competitions notice board.
14. Disqualification
Any Competitor or Team not appearing for an arranged game within 15 minutes of the agreed start time will automatically be eliminated from the Competition.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES IS A CONDITION OF ENTRY TO ALL COMPETITIONS.
ALL GAMES SHALL BE PLAYED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AS SET OUT.
Competitions Committee – October 2025 – KG, KJ & HH
