Sussex County Bowls Competitions – FAQs Issued 10th February, 2021

Competitions 2022 Frequently Asked Questions

Bowls is an uncomplicated sport, and we are keen to ensure that those who participate in our events can do so as easily as possible. This guidance document responds to some of the questions asked most frequently by players.

It is to be read in conjunction with the County Competition Rules & Regulations (as published on our website) and applies to all events:

Who is the Challenger?

The Challenger will be identified on the flowchart for the competition. The Challenger will be responsible for all match arrangements  The Challenger must notify the opponent of the proposed venue at the time of offering dates/times.

What green do we play on?

Matches shall be played on a green approved by the County Association and chosen by the Challenger.   The quarter and semi finals and the final will be played greens as selected by the County.   

How many dates must the Challenger offer and at what times?

For 'play by Date' Competitions, The Challenger shall offer their opponent three dates for play – one of which shall be a Saturday or Sunday. The three dates offered must fall within the window of the round.  Matches may be played prior to the closing date of the previous round by mutual agreement.  A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for any dates offered to be eligible. The start time for any match shall be set by the challenger when the dates are offered, but no player/team/side shall be compelled to accept a time earlier than 6pm Monday to Friday or 9.30am on a Saturday or Sunday, nor later than 6.30pm on any day.  The date and start time in any round may be agreed by mutual agreement, but failing that the dates and start times offered by the Challenger will stand. The offering of two different start times on a single date does not count as two dates.

When must the Challenger offer dates?

In the preliminary/first round – WHERE THIS IS THE FIRST GAME – the challenger must contact his opponent at least two weeks before the closing date of the round, offering three dates, one of which must be a Saturday or Sunday.

For all subsequent rounds, the ‘Challenger, must offer to his opponent – within three days – after the closing date for the previous round - three dates, one of which must be a Saturday or Sunday.   

What if I cannot contact the opponent?

If the ‘Challenger’, or an opponent either when he is the opponent or when if he subsequently becomes the ‘Challenger’, is unable to make contact with the opponent within the specified time limits, he MUST attempt contact through the opponents Club Secretary and notify the Competition Secretary or DCS, of his inability to contact the opponent in order to avoid being penalised as in (v) or (vi) below.
What if I have NOT received a Challenge within the specified period?

IIf the ‘Challenger’ fails to contact the Opponent and take action as described in (i) or (ii) above, then the opponent becomes the ‘Challenger’ and assumes home advantage.  He is required to offer - within a further three days of either of the dates as quoted above - three dates, one of which must be a Saturday or Sunday, and at the same time shall inform the Competition Secretary in charge of that competition that he is invoking this rule, and has accepted the responsibilities of now being the challenger.

When must the Opponent accept dates?

Failure by an ‘opponent’ (either original or ‘challenger’ who subsequently becomes the opponent due to default as in (iii) above), to accept one of the three dates offered, within 48 hours of contact being made, shall result in the current ‘Challenger’ going through to the next round.

Can we have an extension as we have not been able to complete the game by the published play- by date?
No extension of the closing date for any round will be granted for any reason whatsoever.

How do we determine the rink/s to be played on?

The draw for rink/s to be played on will be made in accordance with the current Laws of the Sport (Law 3.1). It is Bowls England’s recommendation that for a match requiring one rink then a minimum of two rinks be offered to the opponent (or drawn from subject to local practice), for a match requiring more than one rink the minimum number of rinks offered should be at least equal to the number of rinks required.

My opponent did not turn up at the agreed start time, what can I do?

If a player/team/side fails to appear and be ready to play within 30 minutes after the agreed time for the tie, the opponent may claim a ‘walk over’.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

In the event of no decision being reached IN ANY ROUND owing to exceptional weather conditions, and it is impossible to re-arrange a fixture before the closing date, please refer to the relevant ruel concerning unfinished matches.

In Club Two Fours fixtures, a total of 10 ends or more across the two rinks must have been completed to constitute a game. In Top Club fixtures (both genders), five ends must be completed in each individual discipline to constitute a game.

Can matches be played on artificial surfaces?

There is nothing in the Laws of the Sport or in the National Competition Regulations, as at present constituted, which stipulates that matches may not be played on a surface other than grass. However, the Challenger must inform their opponent if there is a likelihood of play on a surface other than grass. It is, however, a condition that National Competitions are played outdoors and that the green has been approved by the relevant County Association.

How do I submit a result?

The winner must submit the result electronically on the same day by:

• Our Competitions Portal.

•  If sending results via e-mail please ensure that the full title of the event and your club is shown within the subject

What should I do in case of a dispute?

All County Competitions are controlled by the Competition Secretary. Details of all disputes must be sent to tha tperson.

Who do I contact regarding any other Competition enquiry?

If you can’t find the answer on the website or within this guidance document or the Rules & Regulations as published, please e-mail the Competition Secretary.

 

This FAQ document should be read in conjunction with:

• Sussex Mens Section Rules -  Competition Regulations

This documents is available to view on the Competitions Portal at under Regulations