2024 Club Singles Competition Rules
The three competitions (Singles, Plate & Handicap) were open to all MHBC Playing Members. The Plate competition is for players who have lost their First Round Singles games. This does not include those players who might win the preliminary round and then lose in the 1st Round
Scoring
The winner of each game will be the player who first reaches the target number of shots. The number of ends is not relevant. Each player has four bowls/woods.
For the Semi-Finals and Finals the target number of shots is 21.
For earlier rounds the target number of shots is 16.
In the Singles and Plate games, all players start with a score of Zero.
In the Handicap Competition the range of handicaps is from -8 to 0 shots. (-8 handicap for the best players in the club)
The handicap values have been set by the club’s Handicap Committee
- Where there is a match between Player #1 on -8 and Player #2 on 0, Player #2 will start on 0 and Player #1 will start on -8
All club playing members have been drawn in these competitions - if you do not want to play or are unable to play please inform Guy Barker and you will be withdrawn.
Please add the results on all of your games on the players whats app group stating players names/results/which comp (Open/Handicap/Plate)
Markers
In addition to the two players, each game can have a “marker”. For the early games a marker can be useful if both players are new. However, this should not delay a game. Markers will be required for the Semi-Finals & Finals.
The Marker’s tasks are:
- To record the scores, as agreed by the two players
- To centre the jack for each end, and to mark “touchers”
- To answer players’ questions about the state of the game, for example, “Who is holding?”, “how many shots?”, “Distances from the jack?”, “How short/long?”
Dates/Times for Games
The dates/times for the games are agreed between the two players (& the marker when used). If neither player has access to the club (key), contact a committee member, or another keyholder of the club. Games should be arranged as soon as possible. The cut-off dates for each round are shown in the table headings.
If a player is unable to play the game before the cut-off date, & cannot agree a date soon afterwards, he/she may have to forfeit the game - so that the competition can progress. Any delayed date/time will need to be mutually agreed before the cut-off date, & the organiser (see below) consulted. This may affect players going on holiday for example.
Guy Barker should also be contacted for any issues concerning the competitions.
Guy Barker
Phone: 07713 248 020
Email: guy@sumitupgb.com
2024 Drawn Pairs Competition
The MHBC Drawn pairs competition involves pairing up new / inexperienced players with more experienced players. These pairs are then placed into leagues of no more than 5 teams, so each team will play 4 matches in the first phase. The top 2 teams from each league will then qualify for the quarter finals, with the winners progressing to semi-finals and then the final.
All matches will be played over 12 ends, with each player bowling 4 woods. The inexperienced player will play lead, bowling their 4 woods first alternately against their opponent. The skips (experienced players) will then take turns to bowl their 4 woods.
All league matches must be completed by the end of July. Each league will have its own dedicated WhatsApp group to facilitate arranging matches. It is the responsibility of the skip to find out the availability of their partner, then arrange matches with other pairs. All results should be posted into the relevant league WhatsApp group by the winning skip.
The leagues for 2024 will be posted on WhatsApp on Friday 14th June, and matches can be arranged beginning the same day. Games can be played on Tuesday or Friday club nights – but please book a rink using the club rink booking system – or on any other day by arrangement with a key holder. The club will also organise for the club to be open on Sunday afternoons to facilitate the arrangement of matches.
Any questions, contact Toby Johnson directly on WhatsApp, or
Phone: 07951 602460
Email: tobesjohnson@gmail.com
Ladder Competition
- All playing members will be automatically entered at the start of the ladder competition, which begins on Friday 10 May.
- The Ladder has 19 rungs, with five players on each rung. New members joining during the season start on the lowest rung. The Ladder will be prominently displayed in the locker room.
- Players are seeded according to how they progressed in competitions last season. Better players start competition at the foot of the Ladder; less skilled ones are placed higher.
- The aim of the competition is for players to end the season on the highest possible rung. The Ladder competition will end on the last day of the season at the end of September. The top five players (those on the highest rung) will each win a prize.
- Players can only ‘challenge up’ one or two rungs above them on the ladder. Therefore there will be a choice of ten players to challenge (with the exception of those on the second rung who have a choice of only five players). Players may not challenge those below or on the same level as them.
- Games should be played within seven days of accepting the challenge. Any declined challenge forfeits the game. Players are expected to exercise common sense and charity when arranging matches.
- Matches will be the first to 11 shots. One practice end may be played by mutual agreement. No draws are permitted. If the lower ranked player wins then they swap position on the ladder with the loser - thus climbing up the ladder. Immediately after their match players will amend the ladder board to reflect the result.
- The loser may not challenge the winning player until they have played at least one other game in the Ladder competition (and then only if they are within two rungs of each other).
- The Ladder competition should be self-administering and members should exercise common sense. Any questions or interpretations of these rules should be referred to Robert Richards (or in his prolonged absence Guy Barker), whose decision will be immediate, impartial and final.
