KENT COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1911
COMPETITION BY-LAWS (Men’s Section) Revised for 2025
Updated on Site: 29/03/2025
Amended as necessary by the Council of the Association as detailed in relevant Council minutes.
SINGLES, PAIRS, TRIPLES, FOURS, UNBADGED SINGLES, TWO WOOD SINGLES, JUNIOR (U/24) SINGLES, JUNIOR (U/24) PAIRS, OVER 55 FOURS and BERT COX MEMORIAL (GILL) CUP.
1.The Competitions are open to all affiliated male members of Clubs affiliated to the Kent County Bowling Association. Entry to these competitions constitutes agreement to play in the quarter and semi-finals on a weekend date as may be determined by the Bowls England schedule for that season.
With the exception of the Unbadged Singles and the Bert Cox Memorial (Gill) Cup all the above competitions constitute preliminary rounds of the Bowls England National Championships. All Competitions shall be played in accordance with Bowls England Rules.
Play arrangements shall be:
SINGLES & UNBADGED SINGLES - 4 bowls each - 21 up
JUNIOR SINGLES - 4 bowls each - 21 up (Note: There is no minimum age limit for players)
TWO WOOD SINGLES - 2 bowls each - 21 ends
PAIRS - 4 bowls each - 18 ends
JUNIOR PAIRS - 3 bowls each - 18 ends
TRIPLES - 3 bowls each - 18 ends
FOURS - 2 bowls each - 18 ends
OVER 55 FOURS - 2 bowls each - 18 ends
BERT COX MEMORIAL (GILL) CUP – 8 Players - 2 bowls each - 18 ends
2. Competitors must play with bowls bearing the official stamping of the International Bowling Board. Composition bowls must bear a legible stamp of 1985 or later. Bowls other than composition must be re-stamped every 10 years, the date stamp indicating the year of expiry. In the case of new bowls, they should bear the new World Bowls stamp. Where no umpire is present, the onus of checking that bowls comply with Bowls England Laws rests with the players concerned before the commencement of the first end.
3. The official entry form, which includes specific instructions for its completion, must be used for making all entries to the competitions. Entry fees must accompany the entry form.
3a) No person may allow his name to be submitted, or play, for more than one Club or County, in any one year, in ANY of the County Competitions.
3b) In team competitions (i.e. pairs, triples, fours etc.) all players must be affiliated players of the same club.
3c) If a player, after entering the county competitions, moves to another club in the same Division before the season commences, his entries may, at the discretion of the Divisional Secretary, transfer to the new club and matches played out of that club, depending on any sub-division of the area involved. It will be the responsibility of the entrant to notify all opponents of the change in the first and all subsequent rounds and any game failing to take place due to non-compliance will result in the player/team defaulting.
3d) In a case where circumstances prevent the named entrant from being able to play the competitions entered it is permissible for the entry/entries (excluding singles) to pass to affiliated playing members of the club from which the entry was received. In such circumstances, a substitute player will be allowed if needed in subsequent rounds. Under no circumstances will an originally named entrant be allowed to play in another team entered in the Pairs, Triples, Fours and Over 55 Fours.
If either circumstance described in 3c & 3d arises the Divisional Secretary must be notified no later than 1st May.
4. In the Pairs, Triples, Fours and Over 55 Fours Competitions, the players named on the scorecard of the initial match shall constitute the official entry. The initial or any subsequent round match is constituted by the completion of one end, and if then stopped for a valid reason and resumed at a later date, Law 50 of Laws of the Sport of Bowls (Crystal Mark Edition), shall apply. One additional (and 'same') player from the same Club may be used as a substitute provided, he has not already played in the competition. The named entrant to the competition may not play in another entry of the same competition.
5. The Under 24 Secretary/ Team Manager to be responsible for all aspects of running the Under 24 competitions.
6. There are four administrative divisions of the Association and for competition purposes, each of these shall be divided into such sub-sections as necessary at the discretion of the Honorary Divisional Secretaries and based on the number of entries received for each event. Every effort shall be made to minimise travelling and to balance the numbers in each section of each competition. After the allotment of entries to the various sections, one open draw shall be made for the order of play up to the Divisional Semi-final stage. The sectional finalists shall play on selected greens for the final Divisional matches. The winners of the Divisional Finals proceed to the County Quarter finals under arrangements made by the Honorary County Competition and Match Secretary in liaison with the appropriate Hon. Divisional Secretary. In all matches, apart from the Cox Cup and all others played on selected greens, a choice of rinks by draw shall be given on the green of the Challenger to his opponent.
7. GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLAY IN EARLY ROUNDS
7a) Competitions shall be played on a 'fixed date' basis in accordance with details shown on the draw-sheet and various addendum documentation produced by the Hon. Divisional Secretary and as displayed on the KCBA website. If players concerned wish to play before the fixed date, they may do so by mutual consent. Divisional Officers will not entertain appeals from players unable to make mutually agreeable arrangements.
7b) For the purpose of these competitions, the season commences on May 1st and no earlier date may be offered. It must be generally understood that all fixed dates and all dates offered to imply evening play to commence at 6.00 p.m. unless otherwise previously mutually agreed. Failure of any player to appear and play after a maximum waiting period of thirty minutes from the time mutually agreed for the start of the match, or the introduction of an ineligible player, could cause the defaulter to forfeit the match.
7c) The issue of scorecards to competitors is at the discretion of the Divisional Secretary. Where they are sent a white score-card will indicate the ‘Home’ player i.e. first named in the draw and deemed to be the ‘Challenger’. He shall make arrangements for the match to be played on his green, pay any fees due and arrange for a marker to be present, if it is for a singles match.
Receipt of a green scorecard denotes the ‘Away’ player, i.e. second named in the draw and is deemed to be the ‘Opponent’. He will assume the match arrangements to be on the designated date and time unless otherwise advised by the ‘Challenger’.
7d) Where scorecards are not issued players will rely on suitable electronic communication from the Divisional Secretary and / or referral to the KCBA website to ascertain ALL information regarding the competitions.
7e) In the event of extreme wet conditions, the use of groundsheets fixed with pins is permitted. Where the green of a ‘Challenger’ is declared unfit for play any non-accommodated tie shall be played on the Opponents green. Where the green of a Challenger is unavailable for play due to excess of entries, and an earlier date cannot be mutually agreed, then the Challenger shall arrange for the tie to take place on the fixed date on a neutral green of his choice within the section or, if mutually agreed, on the Opponents green.
7f) Where the greens of both competitors are declared unfit for play or are unavailable, any non-accommodated tie shall be played on a neutral green approved by the Honorary Divisional Secretary or his Assistant.
7g) Responsibility for relaying results to the relevant competition steward rests with the winning player / team. Scorecards must be completed legibly, showing the names and initials of all the players taking part and signed by the winners and their opponents. Immediately after a match, the result MUST be communicated to the relevant Competition Steward by telephone, email or other messaging service. In the case of singles it is unnecessary to provide a copy of the scorecard but for all team games a copy should be sent, whether physically or by electronic means, OR, at the very least, the names of the winning team. Failure to do so may lead to the defaulter being disqualified from the competition
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8. DIVISIONAL FINALS, QUARTER & SEMI FINALS
8a) The above arrangements cease to apply when the Divisional Semi-finals and Finals are reached. The Divisional Semi-Finals and Finals shall be played on greens selected and on dates and times fixed by the Hon, Divisional Secretaries. Competitors failing to assemble on the green within 30 minutes of the times stated could be disqualified. As suitable greens have to be found and arrangements made with Clubs well before the start of the competitions, it is possible that some competitors may play on their own green at this stage.
8b) The County Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals shall be arranged by the Hon, County Competition and Match Secretary in liaison with the appropriate Hon, Divisional Secretary. The choice of greens, therefore, shall be his responsibility after receiving recommendations and advice from the respective Hon, Divisional Secretaries. Each Division shall stage one County Quarter and Semi-final day per year with the competitions rotating on a four-year cycle between the Divisions. Each Division shall also stage the County Finals day in an annual rotation. In the event of a green, chosen to stage a County Quarter and Semi-finals day or the County Finals day, becoming unavailable or deemed to be below the acceptable standard, Council has delegated discretionary powers to the Hon. Competition & Match Secretary to make alternative emergency arrangements. The draw for the County Quarter and Semi-finals shall ensure that successful players from the same Division meet only in the County Final, excluding the Junior Singles and Junior Pairs competitions, which due to the number of entries, will be run outside of the scope of the four Divisions. Competitors failing to assemble on the green within 30 minutes of the times stated could be disqualified. Players reaching the quarter-finals of the competition and later stages will be required to conform to the dress code requirements in order to avoid being removed from the competition. (See Association Regulation 9)
8c) The Semi-final and Final of the Over 55 Fours will be held in each of the Divisions in rotation.
8d) Subject to the County achieving the requisite number of entries annually the winners and runners-up in the Singles, Two Wood Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours will qualify and are expected to play in the Bowls England National Championships representing the KCBA. The two county finalists will draw to determine whether they will represent the KCBA as Kent ‘A’ or ‘B’ in the National Championships and, where possible, the county champions will avoid any preliminary rounds. The Winner and Runner-up of the Junior Singles (Under 24) will also be expected to play in the National Championships (subject to the County achieving the number of entries qualification). Only the Winners of the Under 24 pairs and the Over 55 Fours qualify for entry into the National Championships.
9. UNBADGED SINGLES
This competition is open to any affiliated member of an Affiliated Club who is not eligible to play for the Association in a County Match. The last eight of this competition will qualify for consideration for a County Badge. Competitors will also be eligible to compete in the Singles Championship. Finalists in this competition do not qualify for the Bowls England National Championships.
10. TWO WOOD SINGLES
This competition is open to any member of an Affiliated Club. The finalists of this competition will both qualify for consideration for a County Badge and also qualify for the Bowls England National Championships (subject to the County achieving the number of entries qualification).
11. BERT COX MEMORIAL (GILL) CUP
This is an inter-Club competition open to all affiliated clubs and there shall be no limit to the number of sides a Club may enter. Details of the draw for play are published each year in the relevant section of the county website relating to the respective Division. A Club side shall consist of two teams of 4 players for each match and may include any eight bona fide members of the Club making the entry, but players must play for the same club through which they enter any other County competition. No player may play for more than one side entered by his Club in the competition in the same season. Arrangements shall be made by the clubs as for other competitions, except that the match shall be played by one of the Fours on each of the ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ greens, playing at the same time. The result shall be based on the aggregate score and an Extra End must be played on the green of the ‘Challengers’ i.e. the first named in the draw. The score on this additional end will be used only in the case of a tie resulting in the completion of 18 ends by each team. Responsibility for seeing that this is done rests with both sides. Where two clubs using the same green for play are drawn to play each other in this competition, the challenging club (first named on the draw) will indicate, before the match commences, which of the clubs two fours will play the Extra End. The result and copy of both of the winning teams scorecards should be sent, whether physically or by electronic means to the relevant competition steward, OR, at the very least, the names of all that teams players. Failure to do so may lead to being disqualified from the competition.
At the selected green stages of this competition (Divisional Semi Finals onwards) in the event of a tie on the completion of 18 ends by each team an Extra End will be played by one Four only to be decided by the toss of a coin prior to commencement of the game.
12. GENERAL RULES
No extension of time beyond the 'fixed’ date can be allowed except :-
12a) in the case of players selected for international games or duties
12b) where exceptional circumstances have rendered it impossible for play to take place.
In such circumstances the alternative date fixed by the Hon. Divisional Secretary or his Assistant, or the Hon. County Competition and Match Secretary as the case may be, must be accepted by all parties.
13. Any protest by a competitor(s) as to the green being unfit for play must be made at the completion of the fourth end and the match stopped. Such protest must be submitted at once to the Hon. Divisional Secretary, accompanied by a deposit of £20 per player. The green will be inspected and if the protest is not upheld the match shall be recommenced on the same green, on a date fixed by the Hon. Divisional Secretary, from the point at which it was stopped and the deposit forfeited and passed to the charity that the current President is supporting. If the protest is upheld, the match will be re-arranged and played on a neutral green, on a date fixed by the Hon. Divisional Secretary and the deposit returned.
14. When a match is stopped either by mutual arrangement or by the Umpire, after an appeal to him on account of darkness or the condition of the weather or any other valid reason, it shall be resumed on a date nominated by the Hon. Divisional Secretary or his Assistant with the scores as they were when the match was stopped. A head commenced but not completed shall be declared void.
15. In the event of any dispute arising in the interpretation of the rules, the decision made by the Hon. Divisional Secretary or his Assistant on behalf of the Council of the Association must be accepted as final.
16. Challenge Cups shall be presented at the Associations Annual Dinner, if held in that year, OR on Finals Day and then returned to County headquarters for safekeeping.
17. The use of mobile phones by any player or official on the green during the course of a match is strongly discouraged.
18. RECOGNISED DRESS
In all competitions, the dress shall be predominately white above the waist, grey trousers or tailored shorts and regulation bowls shoes up to the Divisional Semi-Finals and thereafter in whites and regulation shoes. However, at all stages approved club coloured clothing is acceptable as long as all players are similarly dressed when playing in team games. See Association Regulation 9.
19. PENALTIES
A SINGLES competitor, knowing that he will be unavailable for the County Final, should withdraw the round prior to the Divisional Semi-Final. A SINGLES competitor reaching the Divisional Semi-finals or later rounds, failing to be available for the next round without a valid reason, shall be penalised in accordance with the rules set out below: Any member or members of a successful PAIRS, TRIPLES, or FOURS team who causes the team to fail to be available for the Divisional Semi-Finals or later rounds without a valid reason, shall be penalised in accordance with the rules set out below.
19a) If unbadged, the consideration for a County Badge shall be cancelled in that year: and
19b) be disqualified from entering / playing in all competitions for the next season.
19c) Valid reasons for absence from any round to include; Sickness or injury (Doctors certificate required), Family bereavement, absent under Rule 12a.
NOTE TO ALL COMPETITORS – No set of rules can cover every interpretation, incident or circumstance which might occur. It is therefore expected that true sportsmanship and common sense will prevail.