Rules

Updated 1st April 2023

1. The League will be known as the Staffordshire Premier Bowls League unless at the discretion of the executive committee a Sponsors name is to be included in the title. The league headquarters will be Woodfield Sports & Social, Woodfield Avenue, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 4AF.
2. The league officers to consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Records Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster. The executive committee to consist of the officers plus one representatives voted at the A.G.M. There must be at least 5 representatives on the Executive Committee. Voting will be one vote for each member of the executive committee plus one vote per club.
3. The league will be directly affiliated to Staffordshire County Bowling Association.
4. The Annual General Meeting will take place on the last Monday in January. This meeting will include any proposed alterations to rules. Any clubs wishing to propose rule amendments must place their proposals in writing to the secretary by the 1st January. The Half Yearly Meeting will take place on the second Monday in November, followed by the Prize Presentation. The Agenda for each meeting will be sent out at least 7 days prior. Clubs not represented at either meeting will be fined £30. No apologies accepted. The prize money for the forthcoming season will be decided at the AGM. However, if teams withdraw after this meeting, the Executive Committee have the right to change any prize money if income will be less than expected.
5. The Secretary can call an emergency general meeting provided at least two members of the executive committee feel the reason for an unscheduled meeting is justified. A minimum of 7 days notice must be provided with an agenda sent out at least 5 days before the meeting.
6. Annual membership fee for the League is £80 for each team to be paid by 1st April. Match fees will be £1 per player per game to be paid by 1st October. If either of these fees are late, the club will be fined £20.
7. Clubs applying to join the league must do so in writing to the secretary by 1st January enclosing a cheque of £80. The league is limited to 30 teams. No ‘B’ teams are allowed to enter. Any clubs wishing to join the league must be able to accommodate four jacks minimum. No three ended greens will be accepted into the league. If the application is successful, the £80 will be the entry fee for the season and will only be refunded if the application is rejected. Any club wishing to resign must do so by the AGM or will have to pay the £80 membership fee for the coming season. The executive committee shall have the power to accept late applications to join the league if extenuating circumstances occur. NOTE: Cheques must be made payable to “Staffordshire Premier Bowls League”. In the event of a team withdrawing after 1st March they must pay all match fees for that forthcoming season. In the event of the team resigning during the season their results will be removed from the league.
8. Games to be played under B.C.G.B.A rules & the B.C.G.B.A dress code to apply in all games. (including the wearing of black tailored shorts or black trousers with a collared shirt). Any player not conforming to dress code unless previously agreed shall not be allowed to play and match rule 11 will apply.
9. Teams to consist of eight players. All games 21up. League Open to male & female bowlers.
10. Games to be played on a total aggregate scoring system. Points shall be awarded as follows. Two points home win – One point home draw – Four points away win – Two points away draw. In addition, each player that records a win will contribute one point to their team. The total points for each winner will be aggregated along with the points for a win, draw or loss. In matches between two teams who use the same home green, both teams shall be awarded points as if they were the home team. In the event of team’s level on points the league places will be decided by the team with the superior aggregate. Promotion & Relegation will be two down and two up from each division, unless the number of teams is different the next season, which allows the executive committee to propose a suitable league structure at the AGM.
11. At the commencement of the game captains will make the draw by numbering their team one to eight. Games to be played in that order with the away player having first cast of the jack. Any player not present when called to the green will be allowed ten minutes after such time a substitute must take his/her place. If no reserve is available, then the game shall be awarded to the opposition 21-0, with the team fined £5 for each player not present. The player receiving the 21-0 win shall be awarded a 21-11 win in their Averages. Teams must use official league scorecards in all games.
12. At the end of each game the score sheet to be agreed by both captains. The home team is responsible for entering the results on the MB results service on the league website. Each club will have a password for entering results which must be updated within 24 hours of the game. A £5 fine will be imposed for any late entered results. The home team must retain the match cards for 7 days in case of a query by either the visiting team or records secretary. A home and away player of the match (MVP) to be selected by the respective captains. A tick to be entered on the website in the MVP column next to the player’s name.
13. Member teams to register separate squads online by the Sunday prior to the first game of the season in that division. All players must be affiliated to the BCGBA. Anyone joining a team after the Sunday prior to the first game of the season in that division shall be eligible to play providing they are registered by 7.00 on the Monday prior to their first game for the team. No players can be registered after 31st July. Players can only play for one registered team in any season unless transferred. Transfers between member teams will be allowed during the season providing the player concerned has fulfilled their financial obligations to their first team. They will not be allowed to play against their first registered team that season at their green. Transfers will not be allowed after 30th June. A player may only transfer once during a season. Anyone playing an unregistered player shall forfeit the game 0-21 and be fined £5. The player who receives the game 21-0 will be awarded this win in his/her averages if it is below a 21-11 win, otherwise it will go down as a 21-11 win.
14. Fixture dates to be agreed at the AGM. Matches to be played on Monday evening unless a game has been brought forward. Games to commence at 7.00pm. Clubs can mutually an earlier or later start time if they wish.  All matches must be played on the agreed fixture dates unless BCGBA, WWCBA, SCGBA, DCGBA, NMCBA or SCBA fixtures or bereavement or inclement weather or COVID reasons cause a postponement. However, every team is allowed to rearrange ONE match during a season, as long as it is agreed by the two clubs involved and the fixture secretary is notified. Splitting of matches will not be allowed. If the home team captain decides the green is unfit before or at any stage during the game his/her decision is final. Games cannot be postponed before 7.30pm due to weather conditions unless by mutual agreement between the two captains. Postponed matches to be completed within 40 days, and before the last fixture date of the season, or both teams will be fined £20 and deducted 8 points, with a new date set by the executive committee. Interrupted games shall be restarted at the same stage they finished, with the away player allowed to play three ends prior to the recommencement of their game. Any team failing to arrive for a fixture will be docked EIGHT points and fined £50. The home team will be awarded the game 10-0 with an aggregate score of 21-11 per player (168-88). A team who turn up without eight players lose each game 0-21. If a home team fails to arrive, then the away team shall be awarded the game 12-0 with an aggregate score of 21-16 per player. The home team would lose each game 0-21.
15. League Averages will be based on most wins then aggregate.
16. Any club wishing to join the league must have their bowling green postcode within a 29-mile radius as the crow flies of league HQ (Woodfield Sports and Social Club postcode being WV4 4AF). The leagues approved website being – http://www.sloomedia.com/distancesbetweenpostcodes.php.
17. Any matters not provided for in the league rules will be dealt with by the executive committee.