1) The league will be played under the current ESMBA rules. All players must be affiliated through a club to the Dorset SMBA and on to the English SMBA.
2) All clubs shall take part in the Dorset SMBA insurance scheme.
3) Any new Team/Club wishing to join the league may do so at the start of any season but MUST join the lowest division.
4) Dress Code – all players shall wear white, or club colours, above the waist and mid-grey below.
5) A player may only play for one team in any one season. Any team in breach of this rule will forfeit any points gained and 5 shots per mat will be deducted from their aggregate score, for each match they are in breach.
6) Matches will take the format of a four playing two woods of fifteen (15) ends and a triple playing two woods of twenty (20) ends. Two (2) trial ends may be played at the beginning of the match. . All players will make themselves familiar with the identifying marks on the bowls of each player.
7) Play is continuous without a break, unless otherwise agreed by both teams. The home team is to ensure that any other activities do not interfere with play. If one mat finishes before the other, noise should be kept to a minimum.
8) Two points will be awarded to the winners of each rink, with the points being shared in the event of a draw. An additional two points will be awarded to the team with the highest aggregate score, the points being shared in the event of a draw.
9) Clubs participating in the league may rearrange unsuitable fixtures, by agreement with their opponents, before the league commences and, when agreed, inform the League Secretary of the new date. For all other postponements, after the league has commenced, the team requiring the change shall have two points deducted from their existing total for each rearranged fixture. Where a team considers there are extenuating circumstances for the postponement, the reason(s) shall be put in writing to the League & Competition sub-committee for their decision.
10) A team MUST give notice to their opponents of the need to postpone a match, within not less than 48 hours of the match date. Failure to give 48 hours notice shall result in forfeiture of the match as Rule 12, unless there are acceptable extenuating circumstances. The home team shall inform the League Secretary of the postponement.
11) If a match is postponed, within 14 days of the date of postponement a new date must be agreed. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide alternative dates and, when agreed, to inform the League Secretary of the new date. If a new date can not be agreed within 14 days, the League Secretary must be informed and it will be referred to the League & Competition sub-committee for their decision.
12) All league fixtures must be fulfilled. For any fixtures not fulfilled the points will be forfeited and 5 shots per rink will be deducted from the aggregate score of the offending team. Any financial loss caused by the defaulting club is expected to be reimbursed to their opponents. Any team failing to fulfil their fixtures may be banned for one (1) year and may then re-enter the league in the lowest division. In the event of a match being abandoned for any reason both teams will submit a report to the League Fixture Secretary for consideration
13) All fixtures should be completed by 30th April. Any over-run of this date must be agreed with the League Fixture Secretary.
14) It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the result card provided is properly completed and forwarded to the League Fixture Secretary within 7 days. The League Fixture Secretary will provide results and league tables at committee meetings.
15) The winners of each division will be determined by:
a. Points
b. Shot difference
c. Most shots for
d. The better accumulative match result between teams.
16) The winner of each division, except Division One, will, automatically, be promoted to the next higher division. The bottom team in each division, except the lowest division, will, automatically, be relegated to the next lower division. In order to maintain even numbers in all divisions and to cope with the withdrawal of any team from the league, the need for further promotion and relegation will be decided by the League & Competition sub-committee.
17) Perpetual League Trophies will be awarded along with up to ten (10) individual memento trophies to the winners and runners up only. Trophies will be awarded to the best Triple and best Four. Extra trophies can be obtained through the League Fixture Secretary. Any team gaining an award MUST send a representative to the Presentation Night to collect that award. Failure to do so will result in the CLUB being barred from entry to the League for the following season.
18) The League Fixture Secretary will distribute the League Fixtures to clubs by the end of August.
19) The following fixtures are listed in order of precedence:
·
·
· National Finals
·
· Other Organised Leagues
· Invitation Events and Matches
20) Any circumstances not covered by these rules may be referred to the League & Competition sub-committee, whose decision shall be final.