County Competition Rules
1. All County Competitions will be played to the E.I.B.A.Laws of the Sport & Competition rules Unless otherwise stated.
2. Each entrant to the County Competitions will pay an entry fee via his club, & will represent only one club in any one season. Amount of entry fee payable will be determined annually by the L.I.B.A. Management Committee.
QUALIFYING STAGES
1. Clubs will be allocated a number of places for qualifiers dependent on the number of entries submitted to the competition secretary by 1st May. The figures used in determining this allocation will be circulated to all clubs.
2. The rounds prior to the Final Stages of the competition will be played in the players own club, where there will be an open draw, arranged in such a manner that it produces the required number of qualifiers without any re-matching.
3. Individual clubs will decide the time limit & number of ends to be applied in the qualifying rounds.
4. The names of all players qualifying for the final stages, including any substitutes used, must be received at the latest by the dates provided by the County Competition Secretary, to allow printing & posting back to clubs.
5. PLAYERS INVOLVED IN A HALF PLACE PLAY OFF will play in the preliminary round of the knockout stage.
6. The Over 60 Singles, Under 25 Singles & Set Singles will be open to male and female entries.
KNOCKOUT STAGE
PLAYERS INVOLVED IN THE EIGHTH & QUARTER FINALS,
SEMI- FINALS & FINALS OF THE COMPETITIONS
1. An open draw will be made publicily by the Competition Secretary in the presence of at least two witnesses whose names will appear on the sheets sent to clubs.
2. All matches to have a time limit of three hours thirty minutes including trial ends, and the jack shall not be cast after that time has expired. In the event of the jack being hit off the rink it will be replaced at a predetermined point(s) on the rink before the next bowl is delivered or the end decided. Within the constraints of the said time limits the number of ends will be as follows:- Pairs, Triples, Rinks 18 ends, Men’s Singles & O60 Open Singles 21 up, Men’s Sets Singles, 2 sets of 9 ends and a 3 end tie break if the set scores are 1-1 and open Under 25 Singles. 2 sets of 9 ends and a 3 end tie break if the set scores are 1-1.
3. All players to share rink fees to the Host Club, excluding the Finals, when the County will pay.
4. All trophies must be returned engraved to the County Competition secretary by 31st March each year.
5. THE PAIRS, MIXED PAIRS, TRIPLES & RINKS. Players to make their own arrangments for the preliminary rounds, the eighth and the quarter finals. The draw for the last 16 will be on a regional basis to minimise travelling. The draw for the quarter finals will be an open draw across the county.
6. Offering of Dates. *New Rule this season, now falls in line with National Rules*
In the Pairs, Triples and Fours play-offs, the Challenger (the home player) shall offer their opponents the choice of two dates, one must be a weekday evening and one must be a weekend.The midweek date shall start between 6.30-7.00pm and weeekend dates shall not commence before 10.00am. Other start times can be discussed but only agreed by mutual consent.
The Competition Secretary shall publish a date on all draw sheets stating when dates must be offered by for the last 16 round. Dates for the Quarter Final round shall be offered no later than 5 days after the end of the previous round.
If the challenger does not offer dates within the required time period, the opponent becomes the challenger and shall offer dates as above at their own club.
When dates are offered, the arrangements must be confirmed within 48 hours.
If the opponent has previously arranged to play a National Competition (individual or team), or another County Competition (L.I.B.A) on any of the dates offered, then the challenger must offer alternative dates.
When Challenged, being on holiday or playing Club Competitions is not sufficient reason for demanding more dates.
The failure of a player or players to appear after a maximum waiting period of 30 minutes (except in exceptional circumstances) from the agreed start time, shall cause the player(s) to forfeit the game to their opponents.
No extension will be granted beyond the closing date of the round, unless by exceptional circumstances and this will only be granted through the Competition Secretary.
7. All results must be sent to the County Competition Secretary within 24 hours of the game being played.
8. Dress for 1/8 & 1/4 finals of the above Competitions will be White or EIBA Registered Club Shirt, Grey Trousers/Shorts or EIBA Registered Trousers/Shorts. Any colour Bowls Manufactured shoes are permitted.
9. THE SINGLES, SETS SINGLES, OPEN UNDER 25 SINGLES, OPEN OVER 60 SINGLES, SEMI-FINALS & FINALS. The Competition Secretary will arrange to play these games on previously published designated dates and greens.
10. Qualiffying players will be expected to play in these finals on the specified fixed times and dates as listed in the L.I.B.A. programme for the season.
11. Failure to attend without adequate excuse shall result in exclusion from the competitions the following season.
ALL SEMI FINALS & FINALS
12. The only reason allowed for re-arranging a match will be when players are involved in “fixed day” National matches governed by the E.I.B.A., the E.W.I.B.A., English Bowling Federation or Bowls England. When a match has to be re-arranged the Competition Secretary will fix a date, time & venue. County re-arranged matches will take preference over club fixtures.
13. Dress will be White or EIBA Registered Club Shirt, Whites or EIBA Registered Trousers below the waist (shorts are now permitted). Any coloured Bowls Manufactured Shoes are also allowed. All bowls shall have Club stickers attached, & where there is a colour clash the association shall provide alternative stickers.
14. The Host Club shall be responsible for providing suitable markers if required. The County will provide umpires. Any dispute other than an umpiring decision will be settled by the controlling Authority, whose decision shall be final.
15. The draw for the rinks will be made on the day of play in front of the players.
16. The Competition Secretary will ensure that no player playes on the same rink twice. Where this is not possible a match shall be staged on a rink that both players / teams have already played.
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The Lincolnshire Bowling Association would appreciate that all Host Clubs arrange the best possible presentation for the Finals within the constraints of the facilities available
It is the responsibility of the individual clubs to ensure that its members comply with the above rules