Conditions of Play

Afternoon league matches will commence at 2.00pm.

Evening league matches shall commence at 6.30pm.

League players must be fully paid up members of the IOM Indoor Bowling Association.

Matches will consist of three games played in the following order:-

One game of Triples (duration 8 ends).  Three woods each player.

One game of Singles (duration 10 ends).  Four woods each.

One game of Pairs (duration 8 ends).  Four woods each player.

The winners of each game shall be awarded two points, with one point each for a draw.

Each team match has six points at stake.

The order in which the games are played may be changed in exceptional circumstances but only by mutual consent of both Team Captains and there must be a minimum of two players with the Team at all times.

The Home team is responsible for providing a marker at the scoreboard end for Singles Games and the Away Team for the placement of the Jack etc at the entrance end.

At least two registered players from each team should be present prior to the start of a match, one of whom must be listed to play the singles game.

If no players from a team are present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time of a match then the opposing team will be awarded a match win, gaining 2 points and 10 shots for each unplayed game (total 6 points / 30 shots).

Unless a prior agreement has been made to change the order of play, if a team is present with only two registered players within 10 minutes of the scheduled start of a match, that team is deemed to have lost the triples game and the opposing team will be awarded the game win, gaining 2 points and 10 shots. However, the players present can play the singles / pairs games.

If a team is present with only one registered player within 10 minutes of the scheduled start of a match, that team is deemed to have lost the triples and pairs games and the opposing team will be awarded the game wins, gaining 2 points and 10 shots for each unplayed game (4 points / 20 shots). However, the player present can play the singles game using a volunteer marker.

Each match shall be played over two sets, each set consisting of 7 ends. Four woods each player.

The winner of a set will be the pair with the highest number of shots when the seventh end is completed. If the shot scores are tied after the seventh end of a set, the set will be a draw.

The winners of each set shall be awarded two points, with one point each for a draw.  Each pairs match has 4 points at stake.

If a team is absent or with only one registered player present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time of a match, that team will be deemed to have lost the match and the opposing team will be awarded the match win, gaining 4 points and 14 shots.

*Friday afternoon pairs only: leads must change places with their skips for the second set.

Each match will consist of 14 ends.  Four woods each player.

The winner will be the player who has scored the highest number of shots over the 14 ends.  If both players have scored the same number of shots, the match will be a draw.  Three points will be awarded for a win, one point each for a draw. If a player is not present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time of a match they will be deemed to have lost that match and their opponent will be awarded the match win, gaining 3 points and 14 shots.

Matches in this league only may be rearranged (see 18d below).

A Member, once having played three times for a team, is restricted to that team in the same league.  However, players may act as substitute for a team in a Higher league, subject to normal subs rules.

Players may not substitute for another team in the same league and may not play at any time as substitute for a team in a Lower league.

Players may only act as Substitute for any Team on a maximum of two occasions.

Any paid up IOMIBA Member may play as a substitute subject to the above but any Player acting as a Substitute may not play the Singles game of a Team Fixture.

If a player in the Team / Pairs league has to leave the green during the course of a game due to illness or some other reasonable cause and both skips are in agreement, a substitute may be introduced. Where the skips cannot agree, a qualified umpire or member of the Committee can approve the introduction of a substitute. The said substitute may be drawn from any registered member of the same team who is present at time of the incident, or from other players satisfying the normal criteria for substitutes as mentioned above.  Once substituted, the original player may not return to the game.

In the event that no substitute is available, the relevant set / section of the match will be awarded to the opponents.

In the case of the Singles league, the match will be awarded to the opponent in full.

If a jack in motion passes completely outside the boundaries of the rink of play, or rebounds to a distance of less than 20 metres from the mat line, the end should not be declared dead. Instead, the jack should be placed with the nearest point of the jack to the mat line at the appropriate spot described as follows and play should continue:

i) If the jack passes outside the side boundary on the right of the rink, it should be placed on the appropriate spot marked on the right hand side of the rink, which is level with the “T”

ii)  If the jack passes outside the side boundary on the left of the rink, it should be placed on the appropriate spot marked on the left hand side of the rink, level with the “T”

iii)  If the jack passes over the face of the bank (over the ditch) that is within the side boundaries of the rink of play, it should be placed on the central “T” marking.

If the appropriate spot is partly or completely covered by a bowl, the jack should be placed as close as possible to the covered spot, in line with that spot and the corresponding spot at the opposite end of the rink, without touching a bowl.

Slow play should be avoided. Notwithstanding that team discussions are sometimes necessary if a head is complex and the game close, lengthy team discussions should be avoided and play should recommence promptly.

Attention is also drawn to Crystal Mark fourth edition, law 13 with regard to possession of the rink.

Please note that Hall is booked by IOMIBA for fixed periods which cannot be exceeded.

Same day practice is not permitted on the match rink or on any rink within 30 minutes of match time. Practice outside of club-booked times is subject to NSC rules regarding payment / booking.

If a dispute arises in a game, the Skips will make a decision in accordance with The Laws of the Sport, Crystal Mark Fourth Edition, a copy of which is available in the bowls hall.  If a decision cannot be agreed and a qualified umpire is present, he or she will decide, in which case THE DECISION OF THE UMPIRE SHALL BE FINAL.  If no umpire is present the end shall be played again. A letter may be sent to the Committee by either Skip within three days of the dispute arising providing details of the incident for their consideration.

All matches will be played in accordance with the fixture list on the date and rink specified thereon.

Exceptions to the above rule are as follows:

a) Should a player(s) be chosen to represent the Isle of Man at any type of national or international level bowls event, then that player may apply to the committee for permission to rearrange any team or pairs league match(es) which is / are scheduled during the time the player(s) is off island at the designated competition.

In the event of the player representing the island in an U25s event, this exception will extend to his/her travelling companion should that person also play in the same team or pairs with which the representative is registered.

b) Bearing in mind the current situation regarding Covid 19, if a team member is unable to play due to illness or the sudden need to isolate and a substitute cannot be acquired (subs should be used wherever possible), matches may be considered for rearrangement in consultation with the opposing team captain and the Committee.  PLEASE DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE UNWELL.

c) It will remain the responsibility of the team captains to inform the opposing team captain and Committee  PROMPTLY if a match cannot go ahead and to agree any re-scheduled dates. In any event all games must be completed by the last playing date published for the affected league.

d) Friday Singles League matches may be rearranged by the mutual agreement of the players by informing the Committee and requesting a replacement fixture date and rink.

Monday           Pairs  – Premier Division

Tuesday          Pairs  – 1st Division

Wednesday     Team – Premier Division

Thursday         Team – 1st Division

All of the above mentioned leagues shall operate on a 1 up and 1 down basis with the Champions being promoted and the bottom team being relegated.