These rules can be found in the Members Handbook but we’ve decided to include them here as well so that it’s easier for you to access them. This page is for the club competition rules but there is also a page for the Club League Rules.
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. Summer Finals are held in September and Winter finals are held in April. All players entering the competitions must be available to play on the dates stated for finals.
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. Extensions to any deadline may be given at the Competitions Committee discretion. Requests for extension must be sent to the following e-mail address: compscommittee@tdbowls.com
3. Substitutes:
Singles Matches: If a player withdraws in the preliminary or first round of a competition, the Competitions Committee will try and find a substitute for them. If a substitute cannot be found a walkover will be awarded. If a player withdraws in any round after the first round a walkover will be awarded to their opponent.
Drawn Pairs: If an odd number of entries is (I.e. 17 or 25) are received for any drawn pair competition, the player not selected in a pair will be the sole substitute for the competition. Once they have been used no further substitutes will be used and a walkover will be awarded where a pair are unable to fulfil a match.
4. 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 Section 14)
Players are reminded that they must book sufficient rink space in order to complete the game without interfering with other bookings.
5. Arranging Rinks on Bowlr:
The challenger must book a rink on Bowlr. Booking a 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 12)
6. Duration of each Game:
The duration of each game is as follows:
Rounds:
- Champion of Champions – First to 21 Shots
- Other Singles Matches – First to 21 Shots or 1 hour 55 minutes play
- Pairs – 18 ends or 1 hour 55 minutes play
- Clyno – First to 55 points or 1 hour 55 minutes play
- Generation Pairs – 2 sets of 6 ends (If a draw, a deciding end is played).
Finals:
- Singles – First to 21 shots (no time limit)
- Pairs – 18 ends (no time limit)
- Clyno – First to 55 points (no time limit)
- Generation Pairs – 2 sets of 6 ends (If a draw, a deciding end is played).
7. Clyno Rules and Scoring:
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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Dead Ends and Re-Spotting:
Outdoors – Where the Jack comes to rest outside of the rink boundary, a dead end is declared.
Indoors – Where the Jack comes to rest outside of the rink boundary, the Jack is to be re-spotted on the nearest re-spot position.
11. 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.
12. 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 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 markers name.
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. 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.
15. Club Representation:
Certain club competitions will require the winner to represent the club by participating in National and County competitions, namely:
Ladies Champion of Champions (Indoor and Outdoor)
Men’s Champion of Champions (Indoor and Outdoor)
16. Competition Trophies:
Competition cups and shields remain the property of Taunton Deane Bowling Club.
Any trophies taken away must be signed for and covered by the insurance of the person who takes it. They must be returned when appropriate or requested by the club.
17. Competitions Committee:
The Competitions Committee will ensure that the programme sheets displayed on the Competitions noticeboard are kept up to date and deal with any disputes., which should be e-mailed to compscommittee@tdbowls.com and their decision will be final.
When all the finalists are known the Competitions Committee will display, on the Competitions noticeboard a programme showing the date, time, rink and marker (where required) for each final. No player shall play on the same rink twice during the finals, if possible.
You can access other information on the club competitions on the Competitions & Results page and the Club Competition Rules page. There is another page for the Inter Club & League Matches. For the full county results go to this County/National Results page. We have also started putting the Honours Board up, but this is a work in progress