Rules

Updated following the November 2007 AGM
GENERAL
1. The games shall be 21 up, and played according to the Laws of the game of crown green bowls, as published in the current British Crown Green Bowling Association Official Handbook, a copy of which should be available at each Club.
2.  Standard jacks with a valid testing date shall be used. 
3. Any appeal under the existing rules, or any matter not covered by the existing rules, shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
4. Resolutions to amend any of these rules must be submitted in writing to the Correspondence Secretary by 31 October.
The rule(s) shall be amended only if passed by a majority of those members present and eligible to vote at an Annual General Meeting.
Two representatives of each Club may vote. 
LEAGUE MATCHES
5.
a) Teams shall consist of 6 players. 
b) Both teams shall have use of the match jacks for practice before the commencement of the match, and the visiting team shall have the first throw of the jack in each game
c) Any team failing to field 6 players within 45 minutes of the start time shall, provided a minimum of 5 are fielded, be allowed to play one player twice but shall forfeit 10 points from the aggregate score. At the start of the match, the opposing captain shall decide which player shall play twice, and that player must be included in the first three games to be played.  Any team fielding less than 5 players must forfeit the other games(s) 21-0.  Such games shall be recorded as walkovers on the match card. Players left without a game shall receive the appropriate merit points and an aggregate score of 21-11.
d) Merit order, arrived at from two points for a home win and three points for an away win, followed by aggregate, shall determine the pairing of opponents. At the start of the season, the final merit order from the previous season should be used for the first week only.  After the first week, anyone playing for the first time shall be deemed to have a merit score of zero-zero.
e) When players switch divisions from 1st to 2nd, they should go to the top of the merit order, but when going from 2nd to 1st, they should go to the bottom.  When switching from Div 1 to Div 2, after playing one game at the top of the merit order, a player's merit points will be the total carried from Div 1 plus all points gained in Div 2 for the rest of the season.  When switching from Div 2 to Div 1, a player's Div 2 merit points are not carried. If after one game the player returns to their former division, they should revert to their former merit position. At the end of a season, a player who has played the majority of games in the 2nd division should be able to count any points and aggregate gained from games played in the 1st division towards their final merit position.
 
f) When switching between teams in the same division, merit and aggregate points are carried across for the purpose of determining the pairing of opponents. Merit points gained from extra games e.g. as a result of playing for another team during bye weeks, are disregarded.  When switching between clubs, merit and aggregate points from the former club are disregarded.
6.
a) The registration of players will be effected by the first appearance of their names on the team sheets forwarded to the Secretary in accordance with Rule 15. In the case of a new player, their B.C.G.B.A. registration number must be noted on the match card, or forwarded to the League Correspondence Secretary within 14 days.
b) A bowler may play for any team within a Club though not in the same fixture week.
c) If a player already registered with a Club wishes to play for another Club during the same season, he must make an application to the League Executive through the Secretary for their permission for re-registration. Any application for re-registration will be considered by the Executive Committee and a response given within 14 days.
7.
a) Matches shall be played on the day printed in the fixture list and shall commence at 7.00 p.m.except for the first three weeks and the last three weeks of the League programme when the start time shall be 6.30 p.m. Start times may be modified by mutual agreement of the captains.
b) Unscheduled re-arrangements: 
i) Where a club has more than one team, fixtures should not be postponed due to holidays etc., whenever possible teams should be drawn from the club's pool of players to fulfil their obligations. In the event of special circumstances, a match may be postponed by mutual agreement of the captains.
ii) In the event of a green being unplayable, the home captain must inform the captain of the visiting team that the match is to be postponed in sufficient time to prevent the away team travelling.  If the weather deteriorates and the green becomes unplayable either too late to prevent the away team travelling or after the match has commenced, the match may be postponed by mutual agreement of the captains. In the event of the captains being unable to agree, the home captain shall have the final decision.
iii) The date and/or time for playing any postponed or abandoned matches shall be determined by the two captains, but they must be played within one month of the date of the original fixture, or by the last week of fixtures, whichever is the earlier.  Abandoned matches shall be resumed from the point of cessation, with the original teams. The Fixtures Secretary must be informed of any postponed or abandoned matches, together with the re-arranged dates.
8. There shall be one scorer for each game. Any dispute on the scorecard to be resolved by the two captains.  Scoreboards, which must be visible to the players, should be used for all games.
9. The match result shall be determined by 1 point for each individual win plus 2 points for the team with the greater aggregate. If the aggregate is tied, each team shall score 1 point.
10. Each team sheet must be signed and a complete list showing the individual scores and results of the matches played must be dispatched immediately to the League Secretary, following such matches.
Results should be forwarded by first class post or (if possible, preferably) by e-mail.  In the latter case the signed match card should be retained and given to the Fixtures Secretary whenever convenient.
11. The team making the highest number of points throughout the season to be declared the winner.  Should two or more teams tie at the end of the season with equal number of points, their placing shall be determined by aggregate. Two teams shall be promoted and two teams relegated between each division.  Whenever it is necessary to adjust the number of teams in a division, this shall be effected by increasing the number of teams promoted from the lower division. 
 
ROTHAY KNOCKOUT CUP  AND INDIVIDUAL MERIT CUP (for each division)
12. The above competitions are for all teams in the Rothay League, each club taking a turn to host the competitions - dates and venues to be confirmed at the AGM.
Rothay Knockout Cup
13.
a) Teams to consist of three sets of two players from each club team. Players must play for the team for which they have played most games in the current season, or have not played for any team.
b) All games shall be 21 up, unless weather or other circumstances dictate otherwise.  Total aggregate score to decide the winner.  Any match resulting in a tie on points, the team with 2 wins to be the winner.  In the event of the outcome of a match having been decided before the conclusion of the third game, such game may be terminated by mutual agreement of the captains. On the day any player from the qualifying team shall be able to play in any round.  Teams to provide a raffle prize. There shall be some form of recognition for the winners and runners-up to keep, as well as the perpetual Cup.
c) It is assumed that all teams will take part, but if any team wishes to withdraw, the Fixtures Secretary must be notified not less than 2 weeks prior to the playing date, when the draw will be made.  If any team withdraws after the draw has been made, a £5.00 supplement will be added to the registration fee for that team for the following season.
Individual Merit Cup
14.
a) Shall be played between the top two players of each club team, or next in line if these are not available. 
b) All games to be 21 up, unless weather or other circumstances dictate otherwise.  The Division 2 Cup to be played on the second Saturday following the end of the league fixtures, and the Division 1 Cup on the following day.
c) It is assumed that 2 players from each team will take part, but if any team wishes to withdraw one or both players, the Fixtures Secretary must be notified not less than 2 weeks prior to the playing date, when the draw will be made.  If any team withdraws players after the draw has been made, a £2.50 supplement per player will be added to the registration fee for that team for the following season.
d) Each Club to provide a raffle prize.  There shall be some form of recognition for the winners and runners-up to keep, in addition to the Rose Bowl.