Somerset Women's County Indoor Bowling Association

Somerset Women's County Indoor Bowling Association - South West League Rules

SOUTH WEST COUNTY LEAGUE RULES 2026

 

 

The South West County League consists of the following counties:

Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

 

Organisation

  1. Each season there will an appointed League Officer who is responsible for
    1. Arranging a pre-season on-line meeting with the relevant County Officers.
    2. Collating and reporting the League Table
    3. Arranging a post-season on-line meeting with the relevant County Officers. The League Officer for the following season will be agreed at this meeting.
  2. The County Officers are Match/Fixture Secretary and/or Secretary of the relevant County.

 

About the League

  1. This is a Ladies League game consisting of 6 rinks.
  2. Each County plays the others on a home and away basis each season.
  3. All six rinks will play at the same venue where possible, but definitely on the same day.

 

Arranging matches

  1. All matches to give way to the Atherley Trophy.
  2. Each County to send their pre-arranged match dates for the season to the League Officer by the beginning of October each year.
  3. All matches to be played by the end of March.
  4. The challenger shall be responsible for arranging the umpire through the correct EBUA format and be responsible for the umpire’s fees.
  5. Each County will pay its own expenses.
  6. After match meals will be single course.
  7. Rink fees, meal choices and meal costs to be advised by the challenger no later than one month before the match.
  8. The opponent to feedback numbers (players/visitors) and meal requirements no later than one week before the match.

 

Playing matches

  1. All matches to be played in accordance with the current edition of Laws of the sport of Bowls Crystal Mark, unless otherwise stated.
  2. All matches to be played in EIBA registered County kit.
  3. An Umpire shall be present and witness the draw for rinks and the toss for the start of the game, unless, by mutual agreement, it is deemed unnecessary.
  4. Duration of the game will be three and a half hours or 18 ends, whichever is the shorter, excluding trial ends.
  5. The time shall start when all rinks are ready to deliver the Jack.
  6. An End shall be deemed to have commenced when the Jack is cast from a correctly placed mat. An End started before the time limit has expired shall be replayed, if necessary, only once.
  7. No extra Ends as a draw is possible.
  8. In the event of an incomplete side, then the rink will lose the relevant percentage of their score. E.g. if one player missing then a quarter of the rink score. A substitute from the opposing team may play to make the game easier but the rink will still lose the appropriate percentage.

 

After the match

  1. All Score Cards to be signed and finishing time recorded by both skips and kept by each County Secretary in case of dispute.
  2. A Points Claim Form to be completed for each match and sent to the League Officer by the Home side within 48 hours.
  3. No Top table or reciprocal presents for Club Officials required.
  4. Each individual pays for their own after-match drinks.

 

Cancellation

  1. In the event of a County cancelling a fixture the offending County to be responsible for all the expenses i.e. Rink Fees, catering and any admin charges incurred.Should the cancellation be by mutual agreement all costs shall be shared and the match date shall be reorganised again by mutual consent.
  2. Any County not fulfilling a fixture for whatever reason will be deducted eight points and the non offending team will receive eight points.

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Points

The League Table will be calculated as follows:-

  1. 4 points for an overall Win
  2. 2 points for an overall Draw
  3. 2 points for each Winning Rink
  4. 1 point for each Drawn Rink

Total points available is 16

 

 

 

Agreed - 7th April 2013. Updated March 2020. Updated April 2026