League Rules

League Rules 2023-2024

1. All players must be current members of Handy Cross Indoor Bowls Club.
2. All matches to commence exactly at the appointed time.
3. Each match shall be played over 16 ends or to the finish of the end in play when the first bell rings. The end shall be deemed to have commenced when the jack has been cast before the bell rings. If the end has not been completed when the second bell rings one more wood may be delivered, if necessary, to equalise the number of woods delivered by each team. The shots shall then be counted.
4. The winning lead of each end shall cast the jack for the next end. If the jack is of illegal length the opposing skip shall place the jack and have control of the mat.
5. In all games any team making a 'no end' shall forfeit two shots and the end shall count as one of the 16 ends.
6. PAIRS

   When a team fails to appear or only one player is available 5 minutes after the due starting time they shall forfeit the game, 2 points and 9 - 0 shots to the opponents.

7. TRIPLES
   1. When a team falls to appear or only one player is available 5 minutes after the due starting time they shall forfeit the game, 2 points and 9 - 0 shots to the opponents.
   2. If only 2 players of a triple are available each shall play 4 woods (all from the same set) and be penalised by giving 5 shots to their opponents which must be entered on the scoreboard at the start of the match. Their opponents (the triple) shall each play 3 woods. The team with 9 woods will always go first but the winners of the previous end will position the mat and roll the jack.
   3. A third player may join the game before the commencement of the fourth end. In this event the 5 shot penalty will be reduced to 3 shots and the scoreboard adjusted accordingly.
8. RINKS
   1. When a team fails to appear or only two players are available 5 minutes after the due starting time they shall forfeit the game. 2 points and 9 - 0 shots to their opponents.
   2. If only 3 players of a rink are available Nos. 1 & 2 shall each play 3 woods, (all from the same set) and be penalised by giving 5 shots to their opponents which must be entered on the scoreboard at the start of the match.
   3. A fourth player may join the game before the commencement of the fourth end. In this event the 5 shot penalty will be reduced to 3 shots and the scoreboard adjusted accordingly.
9. Matches affected by extenuating circumstances will be postponed if there is less than 90 minutes playing time remaining in the session. Matches will be rescheduled, if possible, at the discretion of the office management. 
10. All games must be played on the dates shown in the handbook.

    Only in exceptional circumstances may any game be re-arranged, The penalty to be imposed on the defaulting team for failing to abide by this rule will be the forfeiture of 2 points and a shots score of 9-0 to their opponents.

11. No player may play for more than one team in any league.
12. No substitutes will be allowed once a game has started.
13. Each player must be registered by their name, initial and membership number. All players must be registered before the start of their first game. Any registered player who has not played more than three times for a team in the current season may, at his/her request, be transferred to another team with the consent of the original team's captain.
14. Responsibilities of team skips are as follows:
    1. He/she must be present in the Bowls Hall at least 5 minutes before the game is due to start.
    2. The home team skip must complete the score card supplied by the club Legibly and Accurately. He/she must enter the names of all players of both teams. The scorecard must be carried by the home skip at all times so that all shots for and against both teams can be correctly entered as each end is completed.
    3. The away skip shall ensure that the electronic scoreboard shows the correct score throughout the game.
    4. At the end of the game the home team skip must check the score card with the opposing skip and both must sign to say that it is correct.
    5. Failure to complete the official score card Legibly and Accurately may result in the disqualification of one or both teams.
    6. Once checked and signed the official score card must be posted in the letter box outside the club office before the home team skip leaves the club.
15. As time is of the utmost importance in all our league matches all players are required to observe the following : -
    1. The head is not visited by the lead or two in triples, or the lead, two and three in rinks until they have all delivered their required amount of woods.
    2. Both skips then leave the head together and do not visit the head again unless there is a serious dispute needing the attention of the skips. The Committee expects the spirit of this rule to be followed and any individual, or team, who persistently fails to observe it will be liable to penalties as adjudicated by the Disputes Committee.
    3. Members waiting to play must keep clear of the end of the rinks and must not place their bowls on any rink or edge until it has been vacated by the previous players.
16. Any points not covered by these rules shall be subject to a ruling by the Disputes Committee.
17. All other rules to be played under E.I.B.A. rules of the game.