LEAGUE RULES
1 – The Leagues
The Leagues shall consist of two divisions, which will be divided equally between entered teams, if an odd number the First Division shall have the most teams. The team finishing top of the second division will be promoted, and the team finishing bottom of the first division will be relegated. Other places for relegation e.g. runner up in the second division and next to bottom in the first division will be decided by the Executive depending on the numbers entering the league in the following year.
2- Players
The Leagues shall consist of teams of 8 (eight) players, All players must be male, over-60 and paid up members of their club and registered with the British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA) Where any club has more than one team, players who have played 4 (Four) or more league matches for any higher ranked team, shall not be eligible to play for a lower ranked team in this competition at the same club in the same season.
3 – The Matches
Each team will play every other team in its league twice, home and away, as per the fixture list with all matches commencing at 1400hrs. No player may play for more than one team in the same numbered matches.
Players from both sides may take advantage of a roll-up prior to the start, but the green must be vacated 10 minutes before the commencement of the match. The match draw will be made prior to the start by the team captains.
Standard ‘in-date’ jacks must be used and the visitors shall have the first roll of the jack.
The draw will be made by the captain/representative of each club with all cards individually placed face down with the visiting captain placing their cards on top of these. Should both teams be missing a full compliment of players then these missing players shall be deemed to be drawn against each other and that game or games will be marked as void before the draw takes place.
The home captain will determine the order of play, a substitute may be allowed up to the seventh or penultimate player taking the green.
4 – Games: All games will be 21 up off scratch, measuring will be done by the players, or markers concerned or representatives of both clubs, if the players fail to agree a measure the home captain will decide.
5 – Match Results: Match results will be determined by the number of team winners, with one point being awarded to each winning player. The match result card must be checked and signed by both captains and forwarded to the Competition Secretary by the home team captain on completion of the match. League Points will be awarded on the basis of 2 points for a match win, and 1 for a draw. The cards should be photographed and sent via email to [email protected]
6 – Re-arranged Fixtures: If a match has to be abandoned due to inclement weather, or is postponed for any other just cause (see rule 9), it must be played the next day if possible, if not teams concerned must arrange to complete the fixture within 10 days. If this is not possible the Executive Committee will set a date and any defaulting team will be deducted 4 points. In any abandoned match the completed games will stand, and the remaining games redrawn when the match is replayed No player with a completed card will be allowed to play again in the match, although it is not compulsory to play the same player in the redrawn games. The Competition Secretary must be informed as soon as possible by the home team captain should a game be abandoned or postponed, and the new date for the fixture. Or if teams are unable to agree on a date for this. Should a team default on a fixture with no intention of completing the fixture at a future date. The responsibility for this rests with the captain of the defaulting team and an explanation shall be given.
7 The Winners: On completion of the fixtures the winning team in each league will be presented with the Trophies which they will hold for 1 year, Prize Money will be awarded in accordance with the prize list in the current fixture book. In the event of a tie on points the winner will be determined by the by the total number of games won. If still a tie after this calculation the teams will share the trophy for 6 months each. Other places will be adjudicated using the same formula.
Administration Rules (8-14)
8 – The Executive Committee reserves the right to expel any team from the League if just cause can be shown. Note: The general principles set out in the Constitution Rules 13 and 14 of the IOM Over 60’s Association in particular the right of an individual to advance defence, shall apply to teams and clubs in these circumstances.
9 – Four Points will be deducted from teams who fail to fulfil a fixture. Two points will be deducted from teams who play an ineligible player. (Note: Unless just cause can be shown e.g. funeral, or wide spread illness, within the club, depleted teams will be expected to honour a fixture when sufficient players are available to achieve a result other than an automatic loss).
10_A fee for each player shall be set at the AGM and all such monies due shall be forwarded to the Treasurer before the start of the season. N.B. The fee for this year is 50p per player per game this includes League, and Intact insurance games.
11- Any team wishing to withdraw from the league shall give notice to that effect before the AGM otherwise the fees for the ensuing season shall be paid in full. If notice is given after the commencement of the season any results to date will be expunged and clubs involved and clubs involved shall remain liable for any match fees which would otherwise have accrued had the team not been withdrawn.
12- Any player wishing to transfer between clubs after commencement of the season must make an application to the Executive Committee and will not be eligible to play for his proposed new club until approval is given. A player after such a transfer, may not revert to his original club in the same season. (Note: Nothing in this rule shall preclude a player from changing clubs during the season, or joining other clubs, but relates only to the eligibility of that player to represent his club(s) in competitions governed by the IoM Over 60’s Association. Once a player has represented his club in any such competition he remains tied to that club for that purpose, during the current season, unless the approval of the Executive Committee is granted).
13- Any dispute shall be notified to the Competitions Secretary as soon as possible. The matter will then be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.
14- The Executive Committee shall have the power to decide any matter not provided for in the rules.