County Competition Rules 2023-24
1. The Competitions shall be confined to those Clubs affiliated to the Association.
2. Competitors may only represent one Club in County Competitions in any one season.
3. All Competitions shall be played under the Management of the Sussex County Women’s
Indoor Bowling Association. In the event of any disputes the Competition Secretary’s
decision will be final.
4. Entries will only be accepted when submitted by the Ladies Club Secretary on the form
provided on the understanding that facilities will be provided by the Challenger’s Club.
All entry fees to be paid with the entry form. Cheques to be made payable to S.C.W.I.B.A.
5. A competent person to be in attendance at Quarter and Semi-Finals. Qualified Umpires
and Markers at Finals.
6. S.C.W.I.B.A. shall make the draw. No extensions beyond the date fixed will be allowed
except for extenuating circumstances. Any team giving a walkover after winning a
round(s) should be barred from entering that competition the following year.
7. Substitutes- one additional and the same player may be used at any one time provided
she has not already played in the competition concerned. If a substitute is required prior
to the start of the game, she may play in any position. If during the game a substitute is
required, she may play in any position except Skip. The first round constitutes the team,
including the named entrant.
8. The first name drawn shall be the Challenger. The Challenger shall have the choice of
Green, except in the Final. Competitors unable to play on their home Green may play
away on their Opponent’s Green or on a neutral Green.
9. The
Challenger shall offer the Opponent two dates, (not consecutive unless by
mutual
consent) one of which may be a weekend. (Please be considerate when arranging
matches with players who are working). The Opponent must accept one of the two
dates given unless the Opponent is playing in a National/County Match or competition
or concede a walkover.
A challenge must be made no later than 14 days before the final date of the preliminary
round only. All other rounds thereafter the challenge must be made within 5 days of the
closing date of the previous round. When dates are offered the arrangement must be
confirmed within 72 hours and any arrangement must be adhered to. If no challenge is
made then it may go to the opposition to challenge. If the original challenger is unable to
accept dates then she has to concede the game. In the event of no challenge from either
player then the Competition Secretary will intervene and if no agreement can be made
then the original Challenger shall concede the game.
10. Competitors travelling less than 50 miles may not be asked to commence a game before
10 am or after 6.30 pm unless by mutual consent. Competitors should not be asked to
play before 12 noon, nor commence after 2 pm if the distance between Clubs is more than
50 miles, except by mutual agreement. Consideration to be given in the event of extreme
weather conditions, e.g. snow, flooding, making travelling dangerous.
11. If any competitor is not ready to play within 30 minutes after the fixed time, the opposing
competitor may claim a walkover. Such claims shall be made to the Competition
Secretary within 24 hours of the fixed date. If a game cannot be completed due to
exceptional circumstances the Competition Secretary should be informed immediately
and competitors should return to complete the game within 7 days.
12. Games shall consist as follows:
Pairs 4 bowls each player 18 ends or 3hrs 30 mins
Fours 2 bowls each player 18 ends or 3hrs 30 mins
Triples 3 bowls each player 18 ends or 3hrs 30 mins
Singles 4 bowls each player 21 shots
The 3 hrs 30 mins does not include trial ends or extra ends. An end where the jack has
been cast before 3 hrs 30 mins must be played to a finish. All dead ends must be
replayed. Start time must be agreed by both skips/players from the same timepiece
and marked on the score card.
13. The results of the match to be sent to the Competition Secretary by phone, text or email
IMMEDIATELY after the game and the scorecard showing the names of all players and
signed by both Skips, sent to the Competition Secretary WITHIN 24 hrs of the
completion of the game.
14. All competitors are to pay their own green fees.
15. All Bowls MUST bear a legible Bowls Stamp for 1985 or later.
16. Uniform – Grey or Club registered skirts/trousers/shorts with Club tops.
Finals – White or Club registered skirts/trousers/crops/shorts with Club tops.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR COUNTY BADGE
A County Badge can be obtained by success in County Competitions. Points (season 23-24) will be awarded to unbadged competitors on the following basis:
Fours & Triples Unbadged Pairs
Quarter finalists 1 point Semi finalists 2 points
Semi-finalists 2 points Losing finalists 3 points
Losing finalists 3 points
Unbadged Singles
Semi-finalists 1 point
Losing finalists 2 points
Winners will be awarded their county badge
A County Badge will be awarded when six points have been earned over a period not exceeding eight years. No points will be awarded to a substitute unless she plays at least 3 games continuously, not including the final.
County Badged players including Juniors (under 18) will be eligible for consideration in County Matches, and unbadged players who have attained six points will be given their badges on Finals Day (in uniform) or may wait for a County Match during the following year.
All competitors in county competitions must be current members of an Affiliated Club and purchase a County Handbook.
ALL BADGED AND UNBADGED PLAYERS SHOULD SUPPORT PATRONS MATCHES
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