A player may ONLY play in the Inter County Championships for:
EITHER
- the County in which he or she is NORMALLY resident.
OR
- any other County through which he or she has been registered with the ESMBA during the previous year.
The player MUST BE registered with the ESMBA through that County in accordance with the ESMBA Information Pack Section 04 – Registered Players.
A player may only play for one County during one year’s competition, the Winter and Summer championships being separate Competitions;
NOTE:Residence will be determined by the County in which a player is registered on the Electoral Registration Roll.
b)
If a player considers there are exceptional circumstances that justify a transfer during a competition they may approach the ESMBA Management Committee for permission to transfer.Such permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
c)
A player who wishes to play in the Summer Championships but who is registered with a County that does not enter the Competition may apply to the ESMBA Management Committee for permission to play for another county in that competition.The ESMBA Management Committee will allocate the player to a mutually acceptable county.
d)
Any player who decides to register for a different county at the start of a new registration year must ensure that their ESMBA Registration with the new county has been forwarded to and received by the ESMBA Membership Secretary in accordance with the procedures in the ESMBA Information Pack Section 04 prior to taking part in any Inter County competition matches for the new county in the Winter Championships – or they will be classified as an ineligible player.
e)
Each County that has both a Premier and an A Team in the Winter Championships must supply, in writing, to the Inter County Championship Secretary, by the 1st of September in each year, a list of ten nominated Premier Team players that they consider to be their strongest players and who MUST play in over 60% of all round robin Premier team matches.Where such nominated players do not play in the required number of matches, the County will be penalised by the deduction of 4 points for each game that each nominated player misses under the minimum 60%.If there are exceptional circumstances that prevent a nominated player from playing in 60% of the round robin games then this should be notified to the ESMBA Inter County Championship Secretary at the earliest opportunity and preferably before the game or games in question.These ten nominated players must NOT play in any A team matches.
Penalties for Playing Ineligible Players
A County that plays an ineligible player or players will forfeit the game points for the games in which that player or players took part.Those points will be awarded to the opposition.All shots accrued during these games by the offending county will be lost.The shots accrued by the non-offending team will be retained.In addition there will be a 2 point penalty imposed for each game in which an ineligible player took part.
Venues & Equipment
All venues used for the playing of ICC Winter championships matches must conform to the following standard:
Playing Area:
a)
The actual playing area shall be flat, of an acceptably high standard and shall be a minimum size of 15.25 metres in length and 9.15 metres wide.
b)
Four mats shall be laid in this area with a minimum distance of 380mm between each mat.
Room Area:
a)
In addition to the minimum playing area detailed above there shall also be an additional space of 1 metre behind each mat, at each end, to allow players/wheelchairs to be behind the fender.If this additional space is not available behind the mats, the width of the playing area required shall be increased to 10.7 metres – and mats shall then be laid with a minimum space of 1 metre between each mat in order that players may stand at the side, but clear of, the mats.
b)
Sufficient space shall also be available to allow access to all mats for disabled bowlers and no team shall be prevented from playing disabled bowlers for whatever reasons.Where an indoor rink or other enclosed area is used the home team MUST provide facilities/personnel to enable disabled bowlers to enter the area as necessary.
c)
There shall be a space of at least 1 metre between the outer mats and the spectator seating area, to allow access from one end to the other for wheelchair bowlers and there shall be a minimum space of 150mm between any mat and any wall or other such obstacle.
d)
There shall be sufficient seating space for non-playing members of the visiting team, within viewing area of the mats.
Lighting:
a)
The lighting shall be of sufficient intensity to provide ample lighting in ALL areas of all four mats.
Hygiene:
a)
The room shall be of an acceptable standard of hygiene and cleanliness.
Equipment:
a)
Two pound jacks must be used for all games.
b)
The four mats must be of a similar playing speed and preferably of the same manufacture.
Responsibilities of the Home Team
The home team must provide a minimum of tea/coffee and biscuits for the visiting team, including the reserves and the umpire.
The home team will be responsible for emailing or phoning the result of the match to the ICC Championship Secretary within 24 hours of the completion of the fixture and returning the match score-sheet by the Friday following the day the match is played.A fine of £20 will be imposed for any late returns.The score sheet must be completed in full, signed by both counties and the umpire(s) and mailed with a first class stamp.
The home county association shall provide a registered umpire for each home match and bear all costs for this appointment.In the event that the home county cannot provide an umpire for the match, they should consult the ESMBA Information Pack Section 09 for a list of registered umpires.Should they still not be able to find an umpire they should consult the appropriate Area or Regional Manager for umpires for guidance.(Umpires fees are travelling expenses of 40p per mile and where a meal is not provided, a meal allowance of £4 for lunch and if appropriate [normally final stages], £7.50 for dinner).Registered umpires that are playing members of either team may be used provided that there are two such umpires and they are playing in opposite sessions.
Teams, Formats
and Scoring
Teams will consist of players consistent with the format for the competition being played and will play sessions and rounds in accordance therewith (see Appendices 1 & 2).
Teams may make a maximum of two substitutions between the morning and afternoon sessions.No player may play more than two games nor play twice in any one session.Players may change disciplines between sessions, but no one may play on the same mat twice nor against the same opponents twice (see Appendices 1 & 2).Substitutions must be notified to the Umpire and if a substitution causes two opponents to be playing against each other for a second time then the substitution notified to the Umpire first will be allowed to take place and the second will not be allowed.
Two bowls must be used by each player, except for the singles players who will use four.If bowls stickers are used then they must be of the same colour and design on all bowls used by all members of the team.
Singles and Pairs games will consist of 15 ends, Triples 11 ends and Fours 9 ends.
Two points will be awarded for each individual game won with one point each for a drawn game.There will be two additional match points for the team with the highest shots score in each discipline – Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours – a total of 8 additional match points.These points will be shared in the event of tied shots in a discipline.
In the knock out stages should the points be the same for both teams after the match points have been awarded, then the team with the higher game points (excluding match points) will be declared the winner.
In the event of game points also being equal, the captain or a nominated player from each team will play a one end four bowl play off and the team winning this play off will be awarded the match.Should the play off be drawn, then the same players will continue to play until an end is won. Team Captains will toss for the mat. If there is a mat that has not been played on by either player then that mat will be used.
Dress
Full dress regulations will be in force at all stages of the competition.Counties may dress in their own colours provided ALL players are dressed the same, otherwise it must be a plain white collared shirt and mid-grey trousers for men and a plain white collared blouse with either a mid-grey skirt, not split or above the knee, culottes or tailored trousers for ladies, at the discretion of their member county and anysweaters, jumpers, cardigans etc. worn must be white.Bowling shoes must be worn by all players.
Times
Round robin matches will commence promptly at 11:00 hours with a practice period for the visitors from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.The match mats will be solely and exclusively reserved for the use of the visiting team during this period.
Counties may – by mutual consent only – agree to forgo the 30 minutes practice session and instead have a two end roll-up prior to each game being played.In the case of any county playing one fixture on eight mats (see Appendix 2) the start time may be adjusted accordingly.
In Knock-out rounds matches will commence at 10.30am and there will be a two end roll-up prior to each game.
Fixtures
The listed dates are fixed and are not open to any postponement other than through an exceptional circumstance.When original fixtures are issued and listed as due to be played on one day of the fixed weekend and it is necessary to change to the other day (Sat to Sun or Sun to Sat) for the purpose of obtaining a venue, both the ICC Secretary and the opposing team must be notified immediately.Once final fixtures have been issued or if it is desired to change dates, or the venue, of matches because of exceptional circumstances, the E.S.M.B.A. Inter County Championship Secretary must be consulted before any changes are made.
Any County that rearranges a fixture without prior written agreement from the ICC Secretary will be penalised by the deduction of TEN points from their total for the season.Teams, after consulting with the ICC Secretary, may agree to reverse a fixture for the convenience of organising a home venue but otherwise ALL matches must be played on the specified weekend.This and other rules go to the root of everyone’s acceptance into the competitions and must be clearly understood and accepted by every county.
The ESMBA Committee will review all instances of a team failing to fulfil a fixture on the set date and may, in the case of round-robin matches, agree to the fixture being played on another date.The defaulting county will be liable to repay any unavoidable costs incurred by their opponents and will be subject to a fine by the ESMBA.If a team fails to fulfil a fixture before the last scheduled inter-county weekend that team shall have their record expunged for the season and shall be refused entry to the Competition for the following season.
The Winners of the Winter Premier and A Team Championship will be required to complete a fixture as detailed in the ESMBA Diary against the England Squad.The teams for this fixture will comprise 26 players, registered with the ESMBA through the winning County.The winners of the Summer Championship will also be required to play such a fixture with additional players from the England under 18 Select squad being added to make up the 26 players required.
Progression to Knock Out Stages
When all round robin matches are complete, the team with the highest number of points will be the winner of the group.If teams are level on points the shot difference will be used to decide the final places.When teams are still equal, shots ‘for’ will be used.
The knock out stages will commence following a draw from the participating groups in which the two top teams from each group will go forward to the main championship competitions for Premier and “A” teams.Teams finishing lower in the groups will go forward to consolation competitions.Exact details and variations for the Summer League will be announced as appropriate.
Preliminary knock out round matches will be played at neutral venues arranged where possible to minimise travelling for both teams.
Quarter-finals will be played at one or two neutral venues.There will be limited seeding of counties to avoid the top two counties in any group from meeting each other in the preliminaries or quarter-finals.
The semi-finals and final will be played at neutral venues.Replica trophies will be presented to the players who play in the finals, although extra trophies may be provided by prior arrangement.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE RULES MAY BE SUBJECT TO REVISION BY THE E.S.M.B.A. AS THE NEED ARISES AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH APPENDICES 1 & 2.
APPENDIX 1 – Teams and Formats for Competitions
Inter County Championship (Winter)
All team will consist of 20 players grouped as two singles, two pairs, two triples and two fours.
A team shall not play with less than 16 players.If a team is short of players the missing players shall be as follows:-
One player missing – player 2 in four 1
Two players missing – player 2 in both fours
Three players missing – player 2 in both fours plus player 2 in triple 1
Four players missing – player 2 in both fours plus player 2 in both triples.
Fixtures shall commence on time if a minimum of 16 players are present.Players arriving late shall be allowed to join the match at the next round of any session.(Common sense should be used if players are delayed due to accident etc, and confirmation is received that they will arrive.)
A match will consist of two playing sessions, morning and afternoon, with a mutually agreed lunch break between sessions.Each session will be split into two rounds of games; the first round will include two singles and two pairs and the second round two triples and two fours.After the lunch break the same pattern will be repeated, but with all teams playing alternative opponents and on different mats.(see Appendix 2).
Prior to the start of the game the two Captains shall toss a coin and the winner shall have the option of playing first or second.This shall be applicable to all mats for all sessions.
The two singles games in each session shall each be marked by a marker.All scorecards shall be marked on the mat with the exception of the singles games where the marker shall mark one card and a member of the opposing team shall, if practicable, sit by the scoreboard and mark the second card.All scorecards shall be checked regularly and at least every other end.In accordance with the ESMBA Rules of the Game markers shall only answer SPECIFIC QUESTIONS that they are asked and shall give NO OTHER information to the players.
Players nominated within the ‘Top Ten’ of a county may not play for the A Team in any fixture.All other players may play twice for the Premier team without restriction.However, once they have played three times for the Premier team they may not play for the “A” team again during the current season’s competition, including the knock out rounds.
Players may not play for both Premier and “A” teams on the same weekend or in matches that were originally scheduled to be played on the same weekend.
Players may only play for the County to which they are registered.
Summer League Competition
Teams will consist of 16 players with 8 playing at home and 8 away on the same day.Players will be grouped in two fours at each venue with each four splitting into two pairs.
A match will consist of two playing sessions, morning and afternoon, with an agreed lunch break between sessions and with games played on 2 mats at each venue.Each session at each venue will be split into two rounds of games; the first round will comprise two fours games and the second round two pairs games played by the pairs from four 1. After the lunch break the next round will be the two pairs from four 2 and the final round willl be the reverse fours games.Pairs games will comprise 15 ends and fours games 9 ends.Players will bowl 2 bowls each.
Matches will commence at 10.30.There will be 2 trial ends before each set of games and there will be no practice on the mats on the day of the match for either team.
Prior to the start of the game, at each venue the two Captains shall toss a coin and the winner shall have the option of playing first or second.This shall be applicable to all mats for all sessions at that venue.
Two points will be awarded for each individual game won with one point each for a drawn game.There will be two additional match points for the team with the highest shots score over the two legs of the match, these points being shared in the event of tied shots.
In the knock out stages should the points be the same for both teams after the match points have been awarded, then the team with the higher game points (excluding match points) will be declared the winner.
In the event of game points also being equal, the team with the highest aggregate of shots at the venue of the alphabetically senior team shall be declared the winner.In the event of these shots also being equal then the captain or a nominated player from each team at the other venue will play a one end four bowl play off and the team winning this play off will be awarded the match.Should the play off be drawn, then the same players will continue to play until an end is won.
APPENDIX 2 – Inter County Competitions Playing Order - Winter
Mat 1
Mat 2
Mat 3
Mat 4
Session 1 (morning)
Round 1
Home Team
Visitors
Single 1
v
Single 1
Single 2
v
Single 2
Pair 1
v
Pair 1
Pair 2
v
Pair 2
Round 2
Home Team
Visitors
Triple 1
v
Triple 1
Triple 2
v
Triple 2
Four 1
v
Four 1
Four 2
v
Four 2
Session 2 (afternoon)
Round 1
Home Team
Visitors
Pair 2
v
Pair 1
Pair 1
v
Pair 2
Single 2
v
Single 1
Single 1
v
Single 2
Round 2
Home Team
Visitors
Four 2
v
Four 1
Four 1
v
Four 2
Triple 2
v
Triple 1
Triple 1
v
Triple 2
Counties whose venue is registered as an eight mat venue and who only have one visiting team for a match on any particular day may, if prior agreement is obtained from the visiting team, play Round One and Round Two of each Session together at the same time on the eight mats as detailed below:
Session 1(morning)
Rd 1& 2
Mat 1
Mat 2
Mat 3
Mat 4
Mat 5
Mat 6
Mat 7
Mat 8
Home
Visitors
Single 1
v
Single 1
Single 2
v
Single 2
Four 1
v
Four 1
Four 2
v
Four 2
Pair 1
v
Pair 1
Pair 2
v
Pair 2
Triple 1
v
Triple 1
Triple 2
v
Triple 2
Session 2 (afternoon)
Rd 1& 2
Mat 1
Mat 2
Mat 3
Mat 4
Mat 5
Mat 6
Mat 7
Mat 8
Home
Visitors
Four 2
v
Four 1
Four 1
v
Four 2
Single 2
v
Single 1
Single 1
v
Single 2
Triple 2
v
Triple 1
Triple 1
v
Triple 2
Pair 2
v
Pair 1
Pair 1
v
Pair 2
Inter County Competitions Playing Order - Summer
Mat 1
Mat 2
Session 1 (morning)
Round 1
Home Team
Visitors
Four 1
v
Four 1
Four 2
v
Four 2
Note: Four 1 made up from Pair 1 and Pair 2.Four 2 made up from Pair 3 and Pair 4
