COMPETITION RULES
Jan 2008
GENERAL
1.1 With the exception of the 'Bert Scott' Trophy, Youth Cup and 'Maurice Cohen' Cup, only registered players shall take part in any League Competition.
1.2 The greens of all member Clubs shall, if required, be placed at the disposal of the League a reasonable number of times during the season; League competition fixtures to have priority claim for the use of any green over private or Club fixtures.
2. ELDRIDGE CUP RULES
2.1 Green owners and Club committees are respectfully and particularly requested to keep their greens free on the dates allotted in the League programme for the 'Eldridge Cup' competition, and no practice will be allowed on chosen greens after venues have been published. This to apply to all rounds. The penalty for breach of this Rule shall be complete disqualification from the competition.
2.2 Players participating in the Eldridge Cup Competition can only play for the
team in which they are registered for League Games. Also they can only play in the Eldridge Cup team for which they are registered.
2.3 Teams shall consist of six (6) players selected from nine registered players
.
2.4 Each team in membership of the League shall enter at least one team in this competition. The League Match Rules concerning abandonment, postponement and protests shall apply.
2.5 The handicapping for the Eldridge Cup shall be based on the previous years League position with promoted and relegated clubs swapping places in the overall league position. Teams to have their final overall league position multiplied by a factor of 1 for 'A' Division teams, 1.25 for 'B' Division and 1.5 for other Divisions respectively, rounded up to the nearest whole number.
2.6 Handicapping shall be reviewed annually by the League Council prior to the draw and adjusted
if deemed necessary.
2.7 Previous season's winners shall be penalised minus 12 off the standard
handicap and the losing finalists minus 6 off the standard handicap.
2.8 Match Result Sheets must be returned to the Competition Secretary of the League within 24
hours of the match, by the winning Captain.
2.9 Team representatives must report fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time, to enable the draw to be made and play to commence on time.
2.10 The Team Captain shall declare and draw six members of his registered team
of nine, and nominate the remaining team members as reserves. These may then be
used, in nominated order, to ensure continuous play in the event of absence of
an originally drawn player.
2.11 The two captains then toss, so that the competing teams shall have equal number or first leads of the jack, odd numbers in one team, even numbers in the other.
2.12 Pairs No. 1,2 and/or 3 will start the match. Pair No.3 or 4 will start immediately after the first pair (irrespective of whether this is No. 1,2 or 3) vacate the green after concluding their game.
Play will then be continuous in the order drawn.
2.13 Correct order of play must be adhered to at all times throughout the match. Penalty for any breach of the above will be a score of 21
- 0 against the offending team.
2.14 In the event of a total replay being necessary on another date, due to the
conditions in the 4 preceding paragraphs having been fulfilled, then this shall
be classified as a new and separate game in which any six players from the original
nine registered may take part.
2.15 From the quarter-final stage onwards, the Dress Code will apply, a
League Council member will be appointed to oversee the draw and the Dress Code.
The Club on whose green the matches are played will be requested to appoint two measurers.
2.16 In addition to the above, referees will be appointed for semi-finals and
the Final.
3. JUBILEE CUP
3.1 This is a scratch singles competition for Registered League players only.
4. LEN HALES BOWL
4.1 This is a pairs competition for registered League players only. Games to be 21 up depending on the number of entries. Organiser has discretion to reduce preliminary and first round to I 8. All pairs must be registered with the same Club.
5. YOUTH CUP
5.1 Open to all bowlers under 19 years of age.
6. BERT SCOTT TROPHY and MAURICE COHEN CUP
6.1 These are open competitions.
7. CHESTER LEAGUE MERIT
7.1 This is a knockout competition to decide who is League Merit Winner for the current year. This operation will be controlled by the League in liaison with the Club whose green has been chosen for the event. All games 21 up. Cash prizes will be awarded to the last 8 players left in the Competition. The winner will hold the Trophy until the next year's event. (See match Rules
6.9 and 6.10)
7.2 Entry to be a nominee from each League Team at the end of each season. It is
mandatory for all teams to make a nomination for this competition, nominees must be sent to the League Secretary no later than seven (7) days after the last League fixture has been finalised.
7.3 The draw for the competition will be made prior to the day of play.
7.4 Each competitor will receive a handicap as follows
7.4.1 'A' division players - scratch
7.4.2 'B' division players - plus 2 on the card
7.4.3 'C' division players - plus 4 on the card
7.5 No Club shall host this competition more than once until each Club in membership of the League has had an opportunity to play host on one occasion. Preference will be given to Clubs outside of the immediate Chester area.
7.6 The previous year's winner is given an automatic place in the draw for the current year's tournament..