City & County of Bristol Bowling Association's Competition Rules 2025.
1. County Competitions are open to all affiliated CCBBA members.
1.1 Competitors may enter as many of the Competitions they so choose, but shall not be allowed to enter from, nor play for, more than one club in the same year.
1.2 Any contestant changing their Club must notify the Competition Committee.
2. All games will be played under the current World Bowls Board Laws of the sport of Bowls and relevant Bowls England Regulations incorporating, where appropriate, CCBBA rule variations as listed within these rules.
2.1 Any situation that cannot be resolved when it arises, or any issue raised that is not covered by these Rules should be immediately referred to the Competition Committee who after due consideration shall provide a ruling which shall be final.
2.2 In the event of any dispute, statements signed by both contestants, or Captains, as appropriate, shall be submitted to the Competition Committee within three days of the dispute arising. The decision of the Competition Committee shall be binding.
3. Competition arrangements
3.1 Men’s Competitions shall be played as follows.
3.2 Women’s Competitions shall be played as follows.
3.3 Open Competitions shall be played as follows.
3.4 All competitions are played on fixed dates and times, as selected, and notified by the competitions committee.
3.4.2 Where, due to a clash with other more senior bowling activity (i.e. BE, GBA, SBA), a match cannot be played on the fixed date and/or time, an extension shall be permitted upon application to the Competition Committee.
3.4.3 Where, due to personal circumstances of the competitors, a match cannot be played on the fixed date and/or time, an extension may be considered upon application to the Competition Committee, subject to the agreement of the opponents.
3.5 The first named Club side/player/team in each round is the challenger, they shall be responsible for all match arrangements and for providing a rink suitable for play.
3.5.1 A draw for the rink of play is not necessary except in Inter-Club side matches.
3.5.2 All singles competitors drawn at home in a competition shall be responsible for providing a marker. Failure to abide by this rule shall mean automatic disqualification. 3.6 The second named Club side/player/team in each round shall, unless notified to the contrary by the opponent(s) or the Competition Committee, be expected to play the tie on the opponent’s green on the fixed (or previously agreed) date and time.
3.7 If a Club side/player/team fails to appear and be ready to play within 30 minutes after the fixed (or previously agreed) date and time for the tie, the opponent shall be awarded a ‘walk over’.
3.8 Any singles competitor, team or Club side who is unable to take part in the semi-final or final, must inform the Competition Committee as soon as this situation arises.
3.8.1 In extenuating circumstances the Competition Committee may agree to bring forward the match. If not, the defaulting player, team or side must withdraw from the competition.
3.9 Failure to turn up at a game will be considered a walkover. If this occurs without prior warning further in action may be taken by the Competition Committee. The decision of the Committee is final.
4. Substitutes
4.1 Players who play in the first game of pairs, triples or fours, all of whom must be members of the same Club, shall be deemed to be the constitution of that team and where possible should play together throughout that competition.
4.2 In pairs, triples and fours a substitute is permitted provided the substitution is made before the game has started. Only one, and the same, player may be used as a substitute at any time, and they may play in any position. They shall not have already played for another team nor can they subsequently play for another team in the same competition.
4.3 The named entrant of a team cannot be a member or substitute of any other team in the same Championship in the same year.
5.1 Stoppages or Postponements
5.1 If a game is stopped, either by the mutual agreement of the players, by the Competition Committee or by the Umpire on account of darkness, weather, green conditions or any other valid reason, it should be resumed as soon as possible, without causing subsequent delay or interruption to the following round, on the same green and the same rink(s), with the scores as they were when the game stopped.
5.1.1 An end commenced but not completed shall be declared dead.
5.1.2 If the same green is not available then another green shall be nominated by the Competition Committee.
5.2 Except for Inter-Club matches (see rule 8), when it is impossible to rearrange the match without causing subsequent delay or interruption to the following round and five or more ends have been completed, the score will stand.
5.2.1 If the score is a tie, then the result will be decided by the toss of a coin.
5.2.2 Where less than five ends have been played the result shall be determined by the toss of a coin.
5.3 When, due to inclement weather or green conditions, a green is declared unplayable prior to the match by an appropriate Club official or Umpire, it is to be completed with no subsequent delay or interruption to the following round.
5.3.1 The Competition Committee shall be advised.
5.3.2 Where this is not possible the match shall be decided by the toss of a coin.
5.3.3 The fact that protection mats are in position shall not in itself constitute justification for declaring a green unfit for play.
6. Reporting of Results
6.1 The results of the ties, including walkovers, must be notified to the Competition Committee as notified on the website, by email, text or telephone BEFORE 11pm on the day of the match. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.2 Failure to notify results unambiguously (particularly regarding concessions), accurately, completely and on time may lead to disqualification.
6.3 Scorecards shall be retained by the tie winner, signed by both players/skips, in case of dispute or protest. Upon request, score cards shall be presented to the Competition Committee prior to playing in the semi-finals. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.3.1 Scorecards for ties must show the name of the competition, the game number and the name(s) of all players, with the number allocated to them in the list of entrants for each competition. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.4 For Inter-Club matches, completed scorecards, with all players listed, must be sent to the Competitions Committee, as notified on the website. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
7. Inter-Club (and Plate)
7.1 If any two Clubs that normally play on the same green are both drawn to play on their “home” green, the Competitions Committee will arrange for the second drawn tie to be played on another mutually acceptable date.
7.2 In the event of a tie after the completion of 21 ends, all rinks shall play an extra end or ends until a decision is reached. The extra ends shall start simultaneously on all rinks.
7.3 If an Inter-Club game in any round is stopped by weather, or another reason, it should be resumed on a mutually acceptable date agreed by the Competitions Committee before the next round.
7.3.1 The Captains must agree the score on the cards when the game was abandoned, and the scorecards must be lodged with an officer for safekeeping.
7.3.2 An end commenced but not completed shall be declared dead.
7.3.3 The rematch should be played on the same green, in the same direction and with the same rink markings.
7.3.4 The same players must play on the same rinks.
7.4 In the event that due to further exceptional circumstances, it proves impossible to complete the game, provided that ELEVEN (11) or more ends on each rink have been played, the result will be determined by the total scores when the game was stopped.
8. Dress Code
8.1 All members of the side or team shall wear the same colours.
8.1.1 All rounds prior to finals.
8.2 Shorts, when worn, are to be either GBA/SBA/BE approved, recognised bowls retail shorts or tailored shorts. Cargo type shorts or football/rugby type shorts are not acceptable.
8.3 Failure to comply with the above may result in disqualification
UMBRELLAS ARE PERMITTED FOR USE BY PLAYERS ON THE GREEN WHEN RAINING, BUT CAUTION MUST BE SHOWN TO OTHER PLAYERS.
1. County Competitions are open to all affiliated CCBBA members.
1.1 Competitors may enter as many of the Competitions they so choose, but shall not be allowed to enter from, nor play for, more than one club in the same year.
1.2 Any contestant changing their Club must notify the Competition Committee.
2. All games will be played under the current World Bowls Board Laws of the sport of Bowls and relevant Bowls England Regulations incorporating, where appropriate, CCBBA rule variations as listed within these rules.
2.1 Any situation that cannot be resolved when it arises, or any issue raised that is not covered by these Rules should be immediately referred to the Competition Committee who after due consideration shall provide a ruling which shall be final.
2.2 In the event of any dispute, statements signed by both contestants, or Captains, as appropriate, shall be submitted to the Competition Committee within three days of the dispute arising. The decision of the Competition Committee shall be binding.
3. Competition arrangements
3.1 Men’s Competitions shall be played as follows.
- Singles; four bowls each player, 21 shots
- Pairs; two players, four bowls each player, 18 ends.
- Triples; three players, three bowls each player, 18 ends
- Fours; four players, two bowls each player, 18 ends.
- Two Bowl Singles; two bowls each player, 21 ends
- Inter-Club Championship (and Plate); four rinks of four male players, two bowls per player, 21 ends.
3.2 Women’s Competitions shall be played as follows.
- Singles, four bowls each player, 21 shots.
- Pairs; two players, four bowls each player, 18 ends.
- Triples; three players, three bowls each player, 18 ends.
- Inter-Club two rinks of four female players, two bowls per player, 21 ends.
3.3 Open Competitions shall be played as follows.
- Open junior (under 25) singles; four bowls, 21 shots.
3.4 All competitions are played on fixed dates and times, as selected, and notified by the competitions committee.
- Up to and including 31st July the starting time for a match shall be 6:15pm.
- From 1st August the starting time for a match shall be 6:00 pm.
3.4.2 Where, due to a clash with other more senior bowling activity (i.e. BE, GBA, SBA), a match cannot be played on the fixed date and/or time, an extension shall be permitted upon application to the Competition Committee.
3.4.3 Where, due to personal circumstances of the competitors, a match cannot be played on the fixed date and/or time, an extension may be considered upon application to the Competition Committee, subject to the agreement of the opponents.
3.5 The first named Club side/player/team in each round is the challenger, they shall be responsible for all match arrangements and for providing a rink suitable for play.
3.5.1 A draw for the rink of play is not necessary except in Inter-Club side matches.
3.5.2 All singles competitors drawn at home in a competition shall be responsible for providing a marker. Failure to abide by this rule shall mean automatic disqualification. 3.6 The second named Club side/player/team in each round shall, unless notified to the contrary by the opponent(s) or the Competition Committee, be expected to play the tie on the opponent’s green on the fixed (or previously agreed) date and time.
3.7 If a Club side/player/team fails to appear and be ready to play within 30 minutes after the fixed (or previously agreed) date and time for the tie, the opponent shall be awarded a ‘walk over’.
3.8 Any singles competitor, team or Club side who is unable to take part in the semi-final or final, must inform the Competition Committee as soon as this situation arises.
3.8.1 In extenuating circumstances the Competition Committee may agree to bring forward the match. If not, the defaulting player, team or side must withdraw from the competition.
3.9 Failure to turn up at a game will be considered a walkover. If this occurs without prior warning further in action may be taken by the Competition Committee. The decision of the Committee is final.
4. Substitutes
4.1 Players who play in the first game of pairs, triples or fours, all of whom must be members of the same Club, shall be deemed to be the constitution of that team and where possible should play together throughout that competition.
4.2 In pairs, triples and fours a substitute is permitted provided the substitution is made before the game has started. Only one, and the same, player may be used as a substitute at any time, and they may play in any position. They shall not have already played for another team nor can they subsequently play for another team in the same competition.
4.3 The named entrant of a team cannot be a member or substitute of any other team in the same Championship in the same year.
5.1 Stoppages or Postponements
5.1 If a game is stopped, either by the mutual agreement of the players, by the Competition Committee or by the Umpire on account of darkness, weather, green conditions or any other valid reason, it should be resumed as soon as possible, without causing subsequent delay or interruption to the following round, on the same green and the same rink(s), with the scores as they were when the game stopped.
5.1.1 An end commenced but not completed shall be declared dead.
5.1.2 If the same green is not available then another green shall be nominated by the Competition Committee.
5.2 Except for Inter-Club matches (see rule 8), when it is impossible to rearrange the match without causing subsequent delay or interruption to the following round and five or more ends have been completed, the score will stand.
5.2.1 If the score is a tie, then the result will be decided by the toss of a coin.
5.2.2 Where less than five ends have been played the result shall be determined by the toss of a coin.
5.3 When, due to inclement weather or green conditions, a green is declared unplayable prior to the match by an appropriate Club official or Umpire, it is to be completed with no subsequent delay or interruption to the following round.
5.3.1 The Competition Committee shall be advised.
5.3.2 Where this is not possible the match shall be decided by the toss of a coin.
5.3.3 The fact that protection mats are in position shall not in itself constitute justification for declaring a green unfit for play.
6. Reporting of Results
6.1 The results of the ties, including walkovers, must be notified to the Competition Committee as notified on the website, by email, text or telephone BEFORE 11pm on the day of the match. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.2 Failure to notify results unambiguously (particularly regarding concessions), accurately, completely and on time may lead to disqualification.
6.3 Scorecards shall be retained by the tie winner, signed by both players/skips, in case of dispute or protest. Upon request, score cards shall be presented to the Competition Committee prior to playing in the semi-finals. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.3.1 Scorecards for ties must show the name of the competition, the game number and the name(s) of all players, with the number allocated to them in the list of entrants for each competition. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
6.4 For Inter-Club matches, completed scorecards, with all players listed, must be sent to the Competitions Committee, as notified on the website. Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
7. Inter-Club (and Plate)
7.1 If any two Clubs that normally play on the same green are both drawn to play on their “home” green, the Competitions Committee will arrange for the second drawn tie to be played on another mutually acceptable date.
7.2 In the event of a tie after the completion of 21 ends, all rinks shall play an extra end or ends until a decision is reached. The extra ends shall start simultaneously on all rinks.
7.3 If an Inter-Club game in any round is stopped by weather, or another reason, it should be resumed on a mutually acceptable date agreed by the Competitions Committee before the next round.
7.3.1 The Captains must agree the score on the cards when the game was abandoned, and the scorecards must be lodged with an officer for safekeeping.
7.3.2 An end commenced but not completed shall be declared dead.
7.3.3 The rematch should be played on the same green, in the same direction and with the same rink markings.
7.3.4 The same players must play on the same rinks.
- In men’s Inter-Club, four replacements will be permitted per team, not more than two per rink.
- In women’s Inter-Club, two replacements will be permitted per team, not more than one per rink.
7.4 In the event that due to further exceptional circumstances, it proves impossible to complete the game, provided that ELEVEN (11) or more ends on each rink have been played, the result will be determined by the total scores when the game was stopped.
8. Dress Code
8.1 All members of the side or team shall wear the same colours.
8.1.1 All rounds prior to finals.
- Above the waist; Club shirt, predominantly white or recognised bowls retail.
- Below the waist; Grey, Club coloured clothing or recognised bowls retail.
- Above the waist; Club shirt, predominantly white or recognised bowls retail.
- Below the waist; White, Club coloured clothing or recognised bowls retail.
8.2 Shorts, when worn, are to be either GBA/SBA/BE approved, recognised bowls retail shorts or tailored shorts. Cargo type shorts or football/rugby type shorts are not acceptable.
8.3 Failure to comply with the above may result in disqualification
UMBRELLAS ARE PERMITTED FOR USE BY PLAYERS ON THE GREEN WHEN RAINING, BUT CAUTION MUST BE SHOWN TO OTHER PLAYERS.
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