rules

1.a)All League Matches of the Association shall be played on Monday and/or Friday Evenings, with the exception of, and subject to the approval of the AGM instances where a Club with only one Green enters a maximum of 3 teams in the Association.  Such Clubs shall be allowed to play on other evenings as specified by the Management Committee.  Clubs should endeavour to have their greens available on all Mondays and Fridays during the season, for league and cup games.

b)    Clubs with more than one bowling green shall nominate before the start of the season, which of their teams will play all of their home fixtures on which green. The nominated green may be changed with the approval of the visiting teams captain in individual cases should there be difficulty on playing on the nominated green.

2     Consistent with the Constitutional Rule 6 & 18, each team shall play each other home and away fixtures, and the winning team in such individual match will count two points in the League Table.  In the event of a tie each team will count one point. The winning Team will be the team with the highest aggregate score.

3     League positions will be determined by the number of points gained by teams during the season in accordance with Rule 2. The top two teams in Divisions 2 and 3 will automatically be promoted to the next higher division in the following season and the bottom two teams in Divisions 1 and 2 will automatically be relegated to the next lower Division in the following season. For promotion and relegation purposes, if more than one team have the same number of points at the end of the league programme positions will be decided by the following formula:-

i.     The difference between chalks scored and chalks conceded and/or
ii.     The number of individual games won
iii.    The result of matches played between the two side.

The Management Committee will also determine any additional promotion/relegation of Clubs to provide as far as possible, Divisions with equal number of teams.

4     Any players who are members of teams winning League prize money (i.e. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prize  money) will only be eligible to play for teams in the following season as follows:-


i)     Division 1 prizewinners: players will only be able to play for any teams in Division 1 unless otherwise approved of by the Management Committee.

ii)     Division 2 prizewinners: players will only be able to play for any teams in Division 1 or 2 unless otherwise approved of by the Management Committee.

iii)     Division 3 prizewinners: Players will be able to play for any team in the Leagues without prior approval of the Management Committee.

5      Each team will consist of ten players. All games will be of 21 points duration, visiting players to have first throw of the jack. A match will have been deemed to have finished when the green is unoccupied.

6. i) All Fixtures (i.e. League and Cup Games) MUST be 
played on or before the date stipulated in the official Fixture List. Matches brought forward must be with agreement of both teams involved, and in the case of cup matches, subject to the availbility of the nominated green. Failure to agree will result in the original match date, in the fixture list, standing. Postponement of matches will only be allowed due play being prevented by inclement weather, or by the direction of the Management Committee. The start time for League matches in the official fixture list shall be in accordance with the following timetable:-

ii)     Matches scheduled for April and August shall  start at 6.30pm. Matches scheduled for September shall start at 6.00pm. Clubs with floodlights may start their fixtures at 7.00pm providing agreement is reached with their opponents.  All Walwyn White Cup Matches shall start at the same time as laid down for League Matches.

iii)     Each team shall have at least 4 players available at the scheduled, or arranged time of starting and the match will start with 4 games. Thereafter as each game is completed a player from each team shall be available to start another game until ten games have been, or are being played.

iv)    Should either team not have a player, or players, available to meet the requirements of c) above, the Captain of the team may claim 21 chalks for each player of the opposing team not so available.  Such claim(s) must be made to the opposing Captain  at the time of non-availability of the players. A written report on the circumstances concerning such a claim must be made to the league Secretary within 4 days of the Match concerned.

v)     A visiting player will not be allowed on the green on the day of the match whether he be a member of the venue club or not.

vi)    Any team unable to play a fixture will have a score of 0 -210 awarded to that team, whilst the non-offending team will gain two points and have a score of 210 -160 awarded to that team.

7      It will be an offence to play an inelgible player and the offending team will be subject to a fine.  Any game involving an ineligible player shall be scored 21 – 0 for the non-offending team.  The Secretary of any team alleging the paying of an ineligible player in the opposing team must be put in a written report together with the results sheet for the match concerned.
	
8      All protests and objections will be sent to the Hon Secretary within 3 days of the incident in question, such protests to be accompanied by a sum of £10 (ten) which may be refuned or otherwise by the Management Committee. 

9      The results of all matches must be sent to te Hon Secretary or the Hon Treasurer on the match sheets/cards provided within 7 days following the match by the winning team, and such sheets/cards must bear the signatures of both Captains. Winning teams failing to return the sheets/cards within 7 days willlose the points gained.  In the event of a tie the home team will be responsible for the return of the sheets/cards, failure to do so will result in the Home team being deducted 1 point.

10. i) Further to rule 6 clubs who rearrange matches after 
the scheduled date in the fixture list will be reported to the Management Committee who shall have the power to fine and/or deduct league points from the offending team.

ii)     Matches not played on stipulated date according to the Official Fixture List shall be reported to the Management Committee and shall be decided upon by the Management Committee whose decision will be final.

iii)     Postponement of matches due to inclement weather may only be made at the greenside at the scheduled start time either by -  mutual agreement of the team captains concerned or by -  taking into consideration the likelihood, or otherwise , of the match being completed due to the fact that the green, is, or will become , unfit for play. The Home Greensman, or the home captain in his absence, shall have the final decision as to the fitness of the green.

iv)    Where matches are postponed or abandoned due to inclement weather then it is the responsibility of the home club to provide 3 alternative dates to the visiting team to enable the match to be replayed within 3 weeks of the original fixture. The visiting team shall be obliged to accept one of these alternatives.  Matches still unplayed after 3 weeks will be decided upon by the Management Committee.  The agreed date for replaying the match shall be notified to the Secretary as soon as practicable.

Matches abandoned after the commencement of play shall be subject to the above arrangement rules. In this instance results of completed games will stand. Games in progress at the time of abandonment will be resumed from the scores standing at the time of abandonment.

v)     At the end of the Season , outstanding matches will be played within 7 days of the Final League Fixture.

11    Any Club not completing their fixtures or persistently failing to play a full team of ten players will be dealt with by the Management Committee.

12    Where a Club enters two teams in the League in separate Divisions the Club must register at least ten players for their number one team, who shall be tied to that team for the season. All other registered players will be allowed to play three league games for their No 1 team but will become tied with the No 1 team for the season on playing their fourth match.

13    Where a club enters more than one team in the league, and those teams are in the same Division, The Club must register at least ten players for each team.  These players will be tied to their respective teams for the season.  The remaining registered players will be tied to the first team for which they play.

14    Where a Club enters three teams in the League, Two teams in a Higher Division and one in a lower Division, the Club must register at least ten Players being tied to their respective teams for the season.  Other registered players playing n the lower Division will be allowed to play three games in the Higher Division. On playing the fourth match they will become tied, but a player will only be allowed to play for one team in the higher division.

15    Where a club enters three teams in the League, one in a higher Division and two in a lower Division, the club must register at least ten players for their team in the higher division, who will be tied to that team for the season. They must also register at least ten players for each team in the lower Division who will be tied to their respective teams. The remaining registered players will be tied to the first team for which they player in the lower Division.

16    Where a Club enters three teams in the league, one in each Division the Club must register at least ten players for their team in the first Division, who will be tied to that team for the season.  Also at least ten players for their team in the Second Division, who will not be allowed to play three League Games for their first team.  Third Division and other registered players will be allowed to play three League games for either their  First Division Team or Second Division team, the fourth game with the First or Second Division Team ties the player to the First of Second Division Team.

1   The Association will be called the “Widnes & District Bowling Association”.

2     The objects of the Association will be to promote and foster the game of bowls in the Widnes & District, and to encourage the spirit  of sportsmanship.

3     The Management of the Association together with the trophies and funds of the Association, will be vested in the Management Committee consisting of a minimum of 5 Clubs’ and a maximum of 8 Clubs’ Representatives, plus the ex-officio members of the Committee i.e. Chairman; Vice Chairman; Secretary; Treasurer and the Merseyside County Representative. The officers and Management Committee Shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting as follows: President, Vice-President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Auditors (2), Merseyside County Representatives (2).

4     The Annual General Meeting  will be held in January/February each year, and each affiliated Club must be represented.  Clubs present will be allowed only one vote, this to be by way of a card vote when necessary.  The Chairman , Secretary and Treasurer will be allowed to vote,  and in the event of a tie,  the Chairman will have a casting vote.  The business of the AGM will be : The hon Secretary’s Report; Hon Treasurer’s Report; Election of Officers and Management Committee; any other business (suggested alterations to the rules must be made 14 days prior to the AGM in writing to the Hon Secretary).  A Half-Yearly General Meeting will be held in September/October each year and all clubs must again be represented.  Failure of any Club to attend these meetings will result in a fine of £10 for each infringement of this rule. Apologies will not be accepted

5     An Extraordinary General Meeting may be requested at any time, provided that such a request is made by at least 4 Clubs, the same to be sent in writing to the Hon Secretary. The Secretary shall give all Clubs at least seven days notice of such a meeting.

6     The duties of the Management Committee shall be:-

i)     To organise the League and other Competitions, and to see that the activities of the Association are carried out efficiently.

ii)     To make all arrangements in respect of Competitions, Fixtures and Matches.

iii)     To award all prizes, consistent with the funds of the Association.

iv)     To have control of the finances of the Association, and to authorize necessary expenditure.

v)      To consider all questions arising from the activities of the Association, and to adjudicate on all matters not covered by these rules.

7       All members of the Management Committee to vote, the chairman having the casting vote.

8       Meetings of the Management Committee shall be called as the Welfare of the Association demands and the Secretary	shall give seven days notice to all members of the Committee. In cases of emergency, shorter notice may be given.  Five members will form a quorum.

9       The duties of the Hon Secretary will be as follows:-

a.      To summon and record all proceedings of all meetings.

b.      To carry on the correspondence of the Association

c        To keep all records and have custody of the  Minute books of the Association, and if the occasion arises, to make a decision which will be upheld by the Management Committee.

d        To carry out all matters not assigned to any other Officer of the Association.

10      The duties of the Hon Treasurer will be as follows:-

a        To have charge of the funds, and to keep the Committee informed from time to time of the finances of the Association.

b        To prepare and submit a statenment of Accounts, duly audited to the Annual General Meeting.

11      The funds of the Association shall be deposited in an agreed Bank,	 in the name of the Association, and all cheques and orders drawn on such an account must be signed by two officers, viz: Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer.

12      Alteration to the Rules will be made only at the Annual General Meeting, and notice of proposed alterations must be sent to the Secretary, in writing, not less that fourteen days before the date of such meeting. No alteration will be made to any rule unless the proposed alteration is duly seconded, and obtains a two thirds majority of those eligible to vote at the meeting, such majority to be rounded to the nearest whole number.

No amendments to proposals can be taken at the AGM as the necessary 14 days notice will not have been served.

13     The status of the Association will be maintained by affiliation to the Merseyside Crown Green Bowling Association and the British Crown Green Bowling Association.

14     Affiliation to the Association will be confined to the Clubs in Widnes & District and all Clubs applying for admission to the Association must be elected by a majority of those voting at the Annual General Meeting. All Clubs affiliated to the Association must register their players before their first match of the season is played, and all such players must be bona fide members of the Clubs for whom they are registered and must be paid up members of the British Crown Green Bowling Association.  Later registrations must be made to the Secretary in writing at least 24 hours before the player plays.  The last date for registration is June 30th.

15     Transfer of players between Clubs/Teams may only be allowed in exceptional circumstances and after consideration and approval by the Management Committee.  No transfer will be allowed after 30th April in any season.

16     The annual affiliation fee to the Association will be set up as circumstances demand, and must be approved at the AGM . Clubs may register any number of players, but each team will comprise of ten players.

17     Any Club defaulting in payment of fees or fines 4 weeks after the date of the Half-Yearly General Meeting in the season, will be deemed to have resigned their Affiliation to the Association, but will nevertheless remain liable for all monies due to the Association.  These monies will include affiliation, match, team and individual competition fees.  All such circumstances will be reported to the Merseyside CGBA.

18     It will be Incumbent on the Management Committee to promote a League Competition for all Clubs affiliated to the Association.  Such competition will comprise one, two or three Divisions, provided there are sufficient Clubs and funds to justify three Divisions.

19     The Management Committee will decide which competitions will be played for each season.

20     The Match and Competition Rules appended to these Rules will be subject to the conditions laid down in Rules 12,13 and 21.

21     The interpretation of these rules, together with the Match and Competition Rules, is vested in the Management Committee, whose decision will be binding and from which appeals will be allowed to Merseyside CGBA and ultimately the British CGBA.

1     All matches will be played under the rules of the Widnes & District Bowling Association

2     Entry is open to all bowlers registered with the above Association.

3     Entry fees to be decided at the start of each season by the Management Committee.

4     Entrants will receive a handicap which reflects their league status (Division 1 – 3, Division 2 – 5, Division 3 – 7). Relegated bowlers from Division 1 and promoted bowlers from Division 2 will in their first year have a handicap of 4. Relegated bowlers from Division 2 and promoted bowlers from Division 3 will have a handicap of 6 in their first year.  The Management Committee may adjust the handicap if a bowler is playing in a division below his status.

5     The winner of the competition will have his handicap adjusted the following year by -3, thereafter it will increase by 1 for each succeeding year he enters the competition until his maximum handicap is reached.

6      Runners-up will have their handicaps adjusted the following year by -2, thereafter it will increase by 1 for each succeeding year he enters the competition until his maximum handicap is reached.
	
7      Semi-finalists will have their handicaps adjusted the following year by -1, thereafter it will increase by 1 for each succeeding year he enters the competition until his maximum handicap is reached.

8      All rounds will normally be played on neutral greens. If however a bowler is placed on his own green at any time his mark will be reduced by 3 chalks. (his own green is defined as the green on which he plays competitively in the Widnes & District Bowling Association.

9      Standard jacks are to be used throughout.

10    The draw will be made by the Management Committee.

11     Scratch time will be at the time that the player is due to play his tie.

12     Practice on nominated greens will be allowed at any stage of the competition.

13     In the event of a postponement due to inclement weather (or any other reason) he tie will be played on the same green with the same draw at a time to be determined by  the management Committee or it’s representative on the night.