Match Rules
(December 2024)
RULE 1
1.1 Each competing team is to be made up of ten (10) players.
1.2 All players must be registered with, and provide their BCGBA / WCGBA membership number before they can be registered in the Flintshire Midweek Bowling League
1.3 Teams are not allowed to play any member who has not registered with BCGBA / WCGBA
1.4 Teams cannot play any member who is registered with any other team in the league
1.5 PRIOR TO STARTING ANY MATCH, it is the responsibility of the Team Captain or Acting Captain to ensure that each player is set up on the FMBL registered players list. Highlight and select https://bowlingresults.co.uk/flintmidweek - ‘All Registered Players’
1.6 Players not set up on the FMBL registered players list will not be allowed to participate in matches until registered correctly
1.7 The penalty for playing an unregistered, banned or suspended player or a player not registered properly under Rule 1, the score of 21-0 shall count in his/her opponent’s favour and a fine of ten pounds (£10) shall be imposed.
1.8 At least 48 hours notification is required to allow the Fixture Secretary time to set up and register new players to clubs / teams
RULE 2
2.1 Up to the 31st March clubs, if they wish can add their player registration details to their team(s) list on https://bowlingresults.co.uk/flintmidweek - ‘All Registered Players’. This facility will be locked down from April 1st.
2.2 By the 31st March all clubs must have recorded all their registered players either in writing or electronically to the League Fixture Secretary
2.3 All teams registering players after the commencement of the season must do so in writing or via electronic communication to the league Fixture Secretary
2.4 Where clubs have more than one team, they must clearly identify which team each player is to be registered against
In all cases, player information required is as follows:
2.4.1 the players full name
2.4.2 the players BCGBA / WCGBA registration number
2.4.3 the name of the team for which registration is required.
2.5 At least 48 hours notification is required to allow the Fixture Secretary time to set up and register new or existing players to the registration list or correct team. This timescale is at the discretion of the Fixture Secretary who will advise when all checks are complete
RULE 3
3.1 A player may be transferred to another team provided he or she has not played more than two matches for their original team in the current season
3.2 For the purposes of rule 3.1 if one of the two matches is a Cup Match the player would not be eligible to play in any cup games for his or her new team during that season.
3.3 Once transferred a player will not be allowed to transfer back to his or her team during the current season and no further transfers will be allowed during this season
RULE 4
4.1 All games shall be twenty-one up and played under BCGBA Rules.
4.2 The winner of each game shall score One point and Two points are awarded for the aggregate win to a total of Twelve points.
4.3 No member of a visiting team shall be allowed to play on an opponent’s green until fifteen minutes before the commencement of play. The penalty for a breach of this rule is that players involved are not eligible to play
4.4 The rule does not apply where Two teams share the same green. Both captains need to agree green allocation time.
4.5 Captains of the respective teams shall have exclusive control of the game.
4.6 Visiting teams shall have first roll of the jack.
4.7 To expedite the necessary paperwork prior to the match start time, the visiting Team Captain participating in the league fixture can practice along with the home team. N.B They will only be allowed one session
RULE 5
5.1 All games in April and August shall start at 6.00 pm or earlier if both teams are in agreement.
5.2 Some games in April and August can start at 6.30 pm if there are floodlights available, but only if both teams are in agreement.
5.3 All games from the beginning of May to the end of July shall start at 6.30 pm.
5.4 All team’s must have at least FOUR players available for play at the start of the game and they must be paired immediately.
5.5 Each subsequent pair shall be drawn in order of play before the completion of the first four games.
5.6 Continuous play must be maintained at all times.
5.7 Neither Captain has any right to alter the playing order of the opposing team except by mutual agreement with the opposing Captain.
5.8 The score of 21-0 shall be forfeited for each player not available.
RULE 6
6.1 Matches must be played on the specified dates as shown on the League website.
6.2 A team must consist of a minimum of 7 players, each player only eligible to play one game per match.
6.3 Fixtures may be brought forward if mutually agreed by both captains. The Fixture Secretary must be notified of this change prior to the match being played.
6.4 There must be no alterations to start times other than defined in Rule 5, Sub Sections 5.1 to 5.3 without the express permission of the Fixture Secretary
6.5 Postponements are not allowed due to clashes of fixtures with other Leagues.
6.6 Postponements are not allowed due to player unavailability
6.7 The only valid reasons for postponement of a game are listed below. The Fixture Secretary must be notified of the reason for postponement on the same day.
6.7.1 Death of a team member
6.7.2 Inclement weather
6.7.3 Exceptional travel disruption
6.8 In the event of any such postponement the match must be played within 21 days of the original fixture.
6.9 Any request for an additional delay will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. The FMBL decision will be final.
6.10 Failure to play the match within 21 days or the agreed extended timeline will result in a fine of ten pounds (£10) and have 21 points deducted from their overall seasons points score
6.11 If a team should fail to fulfil a fixture for reasons other than those stated in Match Rule 6, Sub Sections 6.7.1 to 6.7.3 the offending team(s) will be fined twenty-five (£25) pounds and have 21 points deducted from their overall season’s points score
6.12 Further offences against Match Rule 6, Sub Section 6.8 during the same season shall be dealt with by the Management Committee whose decision will be final
RULE 7
7.1 If a match is started but has to be abandoned because of reasons stated in Rule 6, Sub Sections 6.7.1
to 6.7.3, all completed games shall stand.
7.2 Where games are started but abandoned because of reasons stated in Rule 6, Sub Sections 6.7.1
to 6.7.3, the restart position of unfinished games needs to be agreed between the two Captains.
7.3 The games that are not started shall start again with a complete redraw
7.4 The decision as to whether the green is fit to play will be made by the Greenkeeper or in his or her
absence the Home Team Captain.
7.5 The only exception to rule 6.8 would be for a postponement to the last two games of the season.
Postponement of games at this point of the season must be played prior to the season merit.
7.6 Every other cancellation or postponement, for whatever reason MUST be played within 14 days of the
original fixture.
7.7 Failure to comply with rule 7.5 and 7.6 will result in the match being declared void with no points being
awarded to the defaulting team(s)
RULE 8
8.1 The only method of reporting results is via the online results page.
8.2 All clubs will be issued with a password that must be made available to Team Captains or the person
designated to input the score.
8.3 Match results must be entered online within 24 hours of the completion of the match. The home
team is responsible for entering the results. Both teams are responsible for checking the results.
8.4 In the event of a dispute over a score or scores, the original scorecard must be sent to the Fixture
Secretary whose decision shall be final.
8.5 Clubs must retain all result cards for the home fixtures, duly signed by both captains
8.6 Where a dispute arises and a result card is not provided for verification, the complainant shall have the complaint upheld with no right of appeal being given to the home team
RULE 9
9.1 All protests / complaints concerning any League matter must be put in writing to the League Chairman / League Secretary
(See FMBL Disciplinary and Appeals Process)
RULE 10
10.1 The title of Division Champion will be awarded to the team in each Division scoring the highest number of points.
10.2 In the event of a tie in the number of points, priority of position shall be given to the team scoring the greatest number of match wins, games won and then aggregate (points scored - points against)
10.3 The teams finishing in the top two places in their respective Leagues will be promoted to the next highest division. Accordingly, the two teams finishing with the lowest number of points will be relegated to the next lowest division.
10.4 In the event of the Divisions becoming unbalanced for any reason the management Committee shall have the discretion to balance the Divisions as equally as possible, the higher number of teams to be in the higher Divisions.
10.5 All new teams will start in the lowest division
10.6 Prize winnings (cheques) will be determined by the Management Committee and will be dependent on the number of teams competing in the League.
10.7 Prize winnings (cheques) will also be presented to the player in each Division securing the highest number of individual wins during a season. In the event of a tie between two or more players then the aggregate scores will count.
10.8 The League will run a Champion of Champions Competition on the second Sunday in September This is an invitation to merit winners (or nominated player) from each team and the defending champion.
Merit Winner/Nominee from each team must be sent to the Competition Secretary no later than seven (7) days after the last fixture has been finalised. The draw for the Competition will be made prior to the day of play and notified to Clubs via website and/or e mail.
The prize money for this competition will be determined by the Management Committee.
10.9 All Teams / Individuals in receipt of prize money where possible must collect it on the evening of the AGM. However, teams / individuals may nominate a representative to collect the award on their behalf.
RULE 11
11.1 Outstanding fines must be paid twenty-eight (28) days from the date of the offence (included within that 28 days would be the existing 7 day appeal period)
11.2 If the fine is not paid within that period the club would incur a deduction of 10 points.
11.3 If a further 28 days elapsed a Management Committee meeting would be convened to discuss further possible suspension until payment is received.
RULE 12
12.1 All players in cup games must be registered league players see Rule 1.
12.2 In Divisional Cup matches, the games shall be 21 up. In calculating the result of the matches ONE point will be awarded to each winner and a total of ONE point will be awarded for the aggregate.
12.3 In the event of a draw at the end of a Divisional Cup match, then both team Captains nominate a player who had already played in the match to return to the green and play fist to score eleven (11) Teams will toss for the jack.
12.4 In the Selwyn Roberts Cup matches, the games shall be 21 up. The result will be calculated on points scored plus handicap.
12.5 In the event of a tie in the Selwyn Roberts Cup matches, the match will be decided by three players from each team playing again in a game up to 11 points. One fifth of the original handicap shall apply to these matches.
12.6 Each competing team, in all rounds up to the final, shall pay £10 to the host club for greenage. The League will pay the greenage to the club hosting the final.
12.7 All players who are due to play in the semi-final and or final must have played three league games for their team in the current season prior to the semi-final or final.
12.8 In ALL finals including League Pairs, the Selwyn Roberts Cup Final, the Divisional Cup Finals and Champion of Champions final (League Merit) all participating players must adhere to the current BCGBA dress code. It is the responsibility of Team Captains /Acting Captains to manage the dress code match rule and not the FMBL management Committee present at the final. However, the FMBL Management Committee member will have the authority to decide whether the player has breached the dress code rules and whether to allow play or not. (See Dress Code)
12.9 The point when Rule 12, Sub section 12.7 comes into force is at the point that the participating player steps onto the green to commence play
12.10 Penalty for any breach of the above will be a score of 21-0 against the offending player
12.11 All cup games will be played on neutral greens chosen by the Competition Secretary.
12.12 A player from one club participating in a Divisional Cup match for another club and where both clubs come under the jurisdiction of Flintshire Area Bowls Association (Flintshire Mid-Week and Deeside VETS League) would be ineligible to play in the Divisional Cup match if the green selected for the match was the player ‘home green’
12.13 It is the responsibility of the Team Captain or Acting Captain to ensure that an ineligible player(s) do not participate in Divisional Cup matches if the circumstances in 12.11 occur.
RULE 13
13.1 Teams who wish to opt out of the Selwyn Roberts and / or Divisional Cups must advise the Fixture / Competition Secretary in writing prior to the draw being made, by the 31st January.
13.2 In the event that a team has not opted out of the Selwyn Roberts and / or Divisional Cups and fails to fulfil the fixture, the offending team must in all cases pay both their own green fee and that of their opponents to the host club (Total £20)
13.3 If the offending team have not contacted the host club or the opposing team, they will in addition also be fined the standard league fine of £25
13.4 Matches may be played on an earlier date by mutual agreement. The Fixture Secretary must be notified of this change prior to the match being played.
RULE 14
14.1 It is the responsibility of all Teams / Individuals to return Cups by the 1st July so they can be presented
on the Divisional Cup Final nights
