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Men’s County Competition Byelaws & Regulations

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Men’s County Competition Byelaws & Regulations

General Byelaws

These byelaws must read in conjunction with the current Bowls England Regulations
 

  1. All competitions shall be confined to those clubs which are affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association and Bowls England in accordance with rule 4 of the general rules. No competitor shall allow his name to be submitted for entry in the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, 2 Bowl Singles, Four Bowls Singles, Pairs,   Triples, Fours or Senior Fours competitions for more than one club in any one     year but subject to the Competition Regulation for the Junior Pairs.
     
  2. The County to which his one club is affiliated is the only County for which a competitor may compete in the National Championships or Inter-County Championships but subject to the Competition Regulation for the Junior Pairs.
     
  3. No Club affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association shall play a person in a National Championship who has already played in a National Championship in any other County affiliated to Bowls England  in the same season or if they          have entered another United Kingdom country’s championship in the same       season
     
  4. All Competitions shall be played in accordance with the Laws of World Bowls including the Bowls England domestic regulations and in accordance with the Competition byelaws and regulations of the Norfolk Bowls Association.
     
  5. The dress code for all matches will be in accordance with Bowls England Regulations
     
  6. All competitions must be played on greens that are properly banked and ditched as laid down in the Laws of the game in accordance with byelaw 4
     
  7. The draw for all Competitions shall be made by a sub-committee consisting of the Hon. Secretary, Hon. Competition Secretary and one member of the Management Committee
     
  8. All Rounds of the Two bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs, Triples & Fours  Competitions together with the Jermy Cup, Bales Cup and Lord Fermoy Cup      shall be played on fixed dates as notified by the Hon. Competition Secretary          or Competition Group Secretary. Games shall commence at 6:30pm on the date fixed unless otherwise notified.

        Games may, however, be played at an earlier date by mutual agreement with     the exception of the fixed date for other competitions unless the participants      are not in any other competition.
     
  9. One trial end each way may be played at the start of the game with the appropriate number of bowls
     
  10. In the Two bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours & Senior Fours the first named player(s) in the draw shall be the ‘home’ draw and for all rounds up to but not including the quarter final the match will be played on the green of the home drawn player.

        In the Junior Singles & Junior Pairs, the first named player(s) in the draw shall be the ‘home’ draw and for all rounds up to and including the        quarter finals, the match will be played on the green of the home drawn          The date & venues for the semi-finals & final will be determined by the      Hon. Competition Secretary
     
  11. In the event of a club having more competitions to play at home than rinks available, they shall allocate those rinks in descending order from the first named player. The lower competitors who cannot be allocated a rink shall   play on their opponents green other than if an alternative date has been determined by the Competition Secretary.
     
  12. If the Green of the first drawn competitor or one of the contestants in the Lord Fermoy Cup competition should be unfit for play due to inclement weather or other circumstances, the game shall be played, if practicable, on      the green of the opponent if that green is fit for play. If both greens are unfit,          the game may be played by mutual agreement on a neutral green.
     
  13. The Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals of theBales Cup and Jermy Cup and the final of the Lord Fermoy Cup shall be played on a green selected by     the Competition Secretary.
     
  14. No competition shall be played on an indoor green.
  15. There is nothing, at present constituted, which stipulates that games may not be played on a surface other than grass. It is, however a condition that ties are played outdoors.
     
  16. If any Competitor(s) fail to appear or not be ready to play within 30 minutes of the commencement time, the opponent(s) may claim a ‘walkover’. Each Competitor in the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours &       Senior Fours must telephone or email the result immediately after the match       to the Competition Group Secretary and retain the scorecard for future     reference if so required. For the, Bales Cup, Jermy Cup and Lord Fermoy Cup,       competitor(s) must telephone or email the result immediately after the match     to the Competition Secretary and retain the scorecards for future reference if    so required.
     
  17. Match details for the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, 2 Bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours & Senior Fours up to the Quarter Finals will be forwarded to the Competitors by the Competition Group Secretary. The Competition        Secretary will forward match details for the aforementioned from the quarter    finals onwards and all rounds of the Bales Cup, Lord Fermoy Cup & Jermy Cup
     
  18. For the purposes of the Competitions the County may be divided into Groups, Zones or Sections to be decided upon from time to time by the Competition Secretary according to entries received during the current year.
     
  19. At the Annual General Meeting, a Competition Group Secretary shall be appointed from amongst the members thereof for each group or section who shall run the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, 2 Bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs,          Triples, Fours & Senior Fours Competitions up to but not including the Quarter       The Competition Secretary shall arrange all rounds of the Bales Cup,        Lord Fermoy Cup & Jermy Cup and the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals     of the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, 2 Bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs, Triples,   Fours & Senior Fours  The two skips shall be the judges of all disputed points and when they agree their decision shall be final. If they fail to agree the        point, it shall be decided by an umpire if appointed, otherwise by a neutral person mutually chosen. In all competitions in which no official umpire has       been appointed the respective skips shall have the right to inspect their     opponent’s bowls before commencement of the first end to ensure that they       comply with the requirements of ‘ the laws of the game’
     
  20. The rounds in all competitions shall be played on or before dates determined by the Competition Secretary (subject to byelaw 9). No extension will be allowed under any circumstances except when players are representing their        Country, participating in the County Tour or in the event of a game not starting due to exceptional weather conditions. No Semi-Finals or Finals shall     be played on the date arranged for the Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals or Final of         the Middleton Cup.
     
  21. In the event of a game not starting or starting but no decision being reached owing to exceptional weather conditions in a Competition game, excluding Bales Cup and Lord Fermoy Cup games, it shall be resumed within three days        of the fixed date and allowed to take precedence over any other game. Under       no circumstances must a fixed date of another Competition be used. The    Competition Group Secretary should be notified immediately in respect of      Competition games and the Competition Secretary should be notified   immediately in respect of Bales Cup, Lord Fermoy Cup & Jermy Cup games.     Bales Cup, Lord Fermoy Cup ­& Jermy Cup games must be completed within 7      The first named side must contact their opponents within 24 hours to        arrange a new date and the Competition Secretary notified of the result    immediately after the match. Where games have started, they shall be    resumed with the scores, as they were when the game was stopped.
     
  22. In the event of the scores being equal at the completion of a Pairs, Triples or Fours game, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been The leads shall toss a coin and the­ winner shall have the right to decide who shall play first.
  23. For the purpose of considering and determining all disputes and protests there shall be established a special sub-committee consisting of the Hon. Competition Secretary and two members of the Executive Committee as    All protests appertaining to the green etc. must be intimated          before the commencement of the sixth end and all protests against a player          within three days after the game. Notwithstanding the intention to lodge a  protest, the game must be completed. Protests appertaining to the green shall be notified on completion of the game and confirmed in writing to the       Competition Secretary within one day of the game. The Secretary of the club    concerned will be notified of an inspection by the greens inspection committee     who will report to the sub-committee whose decision will be conveyed to the     competitors and to the Club Secretary. Protests appertaining to a player shall       be notified in writing to the Hon. Competition Secretary within three days of        the game, referred to the sub-committee and a decision conveyed to the protester.
     
  24. Entries in the Junior Singles, Junior Pairs, 2 bowl Singles, 4 bowl Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours & Senior Fours Competitions are accepted on the understanding that those that are eligible under Bowls England Regulations shall be entered for and compete in the Bowls England National        
     
  25. In the 2 Bowl Singles, Singles and Junior Singles Competition, those Competitors who do not represent the County in the National Championships shall be banned from entering the National Championships under the   jurisdiction of the Norfolk Bowls Association for up to three years.
     
  26. Where there is no representation at the National Championships by a Pair, Triple or Four and who are unable to satisfy the Executive Committee they had good reason for not ­competing will also be banned for up to three years.
  27. Any competitor becoming aware that he is unable to represent his County in the National Championships must withdraw from the Competition
  28. All trophies shall be presented to the winners at the Annual Luncheon or other event which might be arranged
  29. The winners shall hold the trophies for one year and shall return them to the Competition Secretary by 1st September.
  30. The holder will be responsible for their safe custody other than insurance.
  31. The winning clubs in the 2 Bowl Singles, Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Junior Singles, Junior Pairs & Senior Fours, Club Championship (Bales Cup), Jermy Cup and Double Fours Competition (Lord Fermoy Cup) shall be presented with a County Pennant showing the year and name of the event.
     
  32. Entries for all competitions shall be made on the forms provided. Club Secretaries which must be returned to the Hon. Competition Secretary by the date specified thereon. Entry Fees and the cost of any Competition        Supplement will be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee       and approved by the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
     
  33. Mobile phones or other electronic devices shall not be used on the green during any matches.

 

 Competition Regulations

In the 2 Bowl Singles, 4 bowl Singles, Junior Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours Championship no player may play for more than one club. A player may only play for one club in the Jermy Cup & Bales Cup or for one side in the Lord Fermoy Cup. This need not be the same club or the club from which he entered the individual County Championships.

The dates on which games are played are subject to byelaws 9, 14 & 15.

 

For play-by date competitions:

  1. The early rounds of the competitions may be played on an area basis, which may not conform to the groups and sections of other competitions.
  2. The player whose name appears first in a draw is designated the ‘Challenger’ & similarly the player whose name appears second is designated the ‘Opponent’.
  3. For ties prior to the quarter finals:-
  • The challenger shall offer his opponent the choice of 2 dates. Ties at weekends shall not commence before 10.00am and ties on weekdays shall be arranged to commence at 6.30pm. Other times may be offered if agreed by both players/teams.
  • These dates must be offered not less than 14 days before the closing date of the opening round of the Championship or within 5 days, after the closing date 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 arrangement must be confirmed within 72 hours and must adhere to any arrangements made
  • If the opponent has previously arranged to play another County Championship on one or both of the two dates offered or is on outdoor International duty or on Bowls England business, the Challenger is required to offer alternative dates

  1. All ties from the Quarter Finals onwards will be played on fixed dates on greens selected by the Competition Secretary.

 

Junior Singles Championship

  1. This Competition shall be open to male applicants who are full members of clubs affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association who have not attained the age of 25 on the 1st of April in the year of the competition.
  2. Each game shall consist of 21 shots with four bowls each player. The first drawn player must provide a marker.
  3. The specific play-by date rules apply to this competition

 

Two Bowl Singles Championship

  1. Each game shall consist of 21 ends with 2 bowls for each player. In the event of a tie, an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been reached. The first drawn player must provide a marker.
  2. The early rounds of the competitions may be played on an area basis, which may not conform to the groups and sections of other competitions.
  3. Each round shall be played on the date stipulated, or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

 

Four Bowl Singles Championship

  1. The winner shall be the first player to score 21 shots with 4 bowls for each player. The first drawn player must provide a marker.
  2. Each round shall be played on the date stipulated, or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

Pairs Championship

  1. Each game shall consist of 18 endswith 4 bowls for each player. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been reached.
  2. Each pair shall consist of two men who must be bona fide playing members of the same club.
  3. The two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the pair who should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional player, and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition, and may play in any position.
  4. Each round shall be played on the date stipulated or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

 

Triples Championship

  1. Each game shall consist of 18 endswith 3 bowls for each player. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been reached.
  2. Each triple shall consist of three men who must be bona fide playing members of the same club.
  3. The three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the triple and should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional player, and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition, and may play in any position.
  4. Each round shall be played on the date stipulated, or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

 

Fours Championship

  1. Each game shall consist of 18 ends with 2 bowls for each player. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends shall be played until a decision has been reached
  2. Each four shall consist of four men who must be bona fide playing members of the same club.
  3. The four players taking part in the first game shall constitute the four and should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional player, and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition, and may play in any position.
  4. Each round shall be played on the dates stipulated or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

 

Junior Pairs Championship

  1. This Competition shall be open to male applicants who are full members who are full members of clubs affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association who have not attained the age of 25 on the 1st of April in the year of the competition. The two players may be from different clubs, but they must both be members of Clubs affiliated to Norfolk Bowls Association and have entered all other National Championship events from the same county.
  2. Each game shall consist of 18 endswith four bowls each player with the leads to playing their four bowls before the skips.
  3. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends must be played until a decision is reached.
  4. The specific play-by date rules apply to this competition

 

Senior Fours Championship

  1. This Competition shall be open to male applicants who are full members of clubs affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association who have attained the age of 55 on the 1st of April in the year of the competition. All four players must come from the same club and must represent that same club from which all other National Championship events have been entered.
  2. Each game shall consist of 18 endswith 2 bowls for each player.
  3. In the event of the scores being equal when all ends have been played, an extra end or ends must be played until a decision is reached.
  4. The specific play-by date rules apply to this competition

 

Lord Fermoy Cup

Double Fours Championship

 

  1. A team shall be represented by 8 male players who must be bona fide playing members of the club.
     
  2. The game shall consist of 18 endswith 2 bowls for each player with one four         to play at home and the other four away on the same day (but subject to          byelaw 9)in all rounds except the final which will be played on a green   selected by the Competition Secretary
     
  3. In all rounds leading to the final, prior to the start of the match the club shown first in the draw shall nominate a rink to play an extra end which will        be played by that rink immediately after the conclusion of its 18th end.
     
  4. In the final, prior to the start of the game one rink shall be drawn to play an extra scoring end. In the event of a tied overall score, the drawn rink will play the extra end immediately after both fours have completed 18 ends and the        result of this extra end will determine the result.
     
  5. A club is allowed to make any number of entries in this competition. Clubs shall have the option of substituting players and altering the position of          players for the second or succeeding rounds, but a player may only play for          one team in his club.
     
  6. Each round must be played on the dates stipulated, or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15.

 

Bales Cup

Club Championship

 

  1. The competition is open to all clubs affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association.
  2. Each club shall be represented by 12 male players (constituted by 3 fours) who must be bona fide playing members of the club.
     
  3. The game shall consist of 18 endswith 2 bowls for each player.
     
  4. Prior to the game, the challenger will declare the 3 rinks on which the match will be played, of which one rink shall be drawn to play the extra end. The     cards will then be placed face down, where a visiting club person will attach a       rink number. The total number of shots over all rinks will decide the result. In         the event of a draw an extra end will be played by the nominated rink          immediately after all fours have completed 18 ends. Should this happen the         result of the extra end will determine the result.
     
  5. Each round must be played on a date stipulated, or in accordance with byelaw 9, 14 & 15. The Quarter Finals, Semi-finals and the Final will be played on greens selected by the Competition Secretary.

 

Jermy Cup

  1. The competition shall be controlled by the Men’s Competition Secretary of the Norfolk Bowls Association.
     
  2. The competition shall be open to male and female members of clubs affiliated to the Norfolk Bowls Association on 1st MAY of the year of the and who must          be bona fide playing members of that club. Clubs shall have the option of     substituting players and of altering the position of players for the second or   succeeding rounds. All players must be members of the same club.
     
  3. The competition shall be played under the laws of the game adopted by the World Bowls Board and in accordance with the byelaws and regulations laid down by the Norfolk Bowls Association.
  4. A club side shall consist of three rinks of THREE players with each rink comprising a minimum of one male and one female player & either gender    may play as skip.
     
  5. Each club shall be represented by 9 players (constituted by 3 TRIPLES) who must be bona fide playing members of the club. The game shall consist of 18 ends with 3 bowls for each player
     
  6. Prior to the game, the challenger will declare the 3 rinks on which the match will be played, of which one rink shall be drawn to play the extra end. The     cards will then be placed face down, where a visiting club person will attach a       rink number.
     
  7. Total number of shots over all rinks will decide the result. In the event of a draw an extra end will be played by the nominated rink immediately after all        triples have completed 18 ends. Should this happen the result of the extra end will determine the result.
     
  8. For the purpose of the competition, the County may be divided into Groups, Zones or Sections to be decided upon from time to time by the Competition Secretary according to entries received.
     
  9. The Competition Secretary shall arrange all rounds of the Competition. The Semi-Finals and Final shall be played on a green selected by the Competition     There is nothing in the laws of the game, or in the rules of the          competition, which stipulates that games may not be played on a surface       other than grass. It is however a condition that the ties are played outdoors. 
     
  10. The Competition Secretary will send match details to the Secretary of the each club. The result must be telephoned immediately on completion of the game to the Competition Secretary. The result card properly completed      clearly showing both teams and signed by both skips must be forwarded to      the Competition Secretary.
     
  11. All rounds shall be played on fixed dates notified by the Competition Secretary and games shall commence at 10am on the date fixed unless an alternative time is mutually agreed between competing clubs (apart from the   semi-finals & finals which will be played on the date determined by the      Competition Secretary). Games prior to the semi-final and final may however be played at an earlier date by mutual agreement with the exception of the         fixed date for other competitions unless the participants are not in any other         One trial end each way may be played at the start of the game        with the appropriate number of bowls. No extensions will be allowed under          any circumstances except for exceptional weather conditions as in        competition byelaw 15.
     
  12. In the event of no decision being reached owing to exceptional weather conditions the game shall be resumed within 7 days with the scores, as they were when the game was stopped. The first named side must contact their opponents within 24 hours to arrange a new date and notify the Competition       Under no circumstances, must a fixed date of another competition    be used.
     
  13. If a side fails to appear or not be ready to play within 30 minutes after the agreed time for the tie the opponents may claim a walkover.
  14. For the purpose of considering and determining all disputes and protests there shall be a sub-committee comprising the Competition Secretary and two members of the Executive Committee as delegated. All protests appertaining to the green etc. must be intimated before the commencement of the sixth      end and all protests against a player within 3 days of the game. The        procedure is as explained in the Norfolk Bowls Association competition     byelaws no. 17.
     
  15. The Jermy Cup and a Pennant showing the year and name of the event will be presented to the winner at the Annual Luncheon or other event which might be arranged. The winner shall hold the trophy for one year and shall return it       to the Competition Secretary by September 1st. The winner will be   responsible for its safe custody other than insurance.
 

APPENDIX

Summary of changes to byelaws & regulations

December 2022

  1. INTEGRATION OF 2022 ADDENDUM INTO MAIN RULES
  2. Playing formats for individual Championships – individual Competition Regulations
  3. National Championship qualification – update of Regulation 18
  1. CHANGES FOLLOWING MOTIONS PASSED AT THE 2022 AGM
  2. Bales Cup number of ends reduced to 18 – update of Bales Cup Regulation 3
  3. Lord Fermoy Cup number of ends reduced to 18 – update of Lord Fermoy Cup Regulation 2
  4. Jermy Cup number of ends reduced to 18 – update of Jermy Cup Regulation 2
  5. Lord Fermoy Cup extra end clarification – update of Lords Fermoy Cup Regulation 3
  6. Individual County Championship Area finals not on neutral green – update of Regulations 8 & 9

December 2023

CHANGES FOLLOWING MOTIONS PASSED AT THE 2023 AGM

  1. REGULATION 5 – DRESS CODE

Regulation change to dress code to be in accordance with Bowls England Regulations

  1. JERMY CUP

Format to change to 3x triples over 18 ends with each player playing 3 bowls and each of the 3 triples to contain a minimum of 1 male & 1 female player

  1. BALES CUP

Correction to Regulation 4 to provide for extra end to be played once 18 ends have been completed