Rules

Midland Seniors Indoor Bowling League

Match Rules 

1. Aim: 

With the aim of providing competitive play for those eligible the Midland Seniors Indoor Bowling League will comprise those County Associations which agree to play under the rules 2-9 below

2. Eligibility: 

To be eligible to play in the MSIBL each player must be:

  1. Age restriction: Over 55 years of age by 30th September for the ensuing Indoor Season.
  2. Affiliation: A member of an Indoor Club affiliated to the EIBA and to a County Association which is affiliated to the EIBA whose rules will be followed.

3. General rules: 

All Counties will play one another in a series of weekday matches for the South Forest Trophy. 

  1. The League will be 8 teams in two-sections (North and South). 
  2. North being Durham, North Lincolnshire and Yorkshire: 
  3. South being Leicestershire, South Lincolnshire, Northants, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, 
  4. The winner of the North and South sections will play for the South Forest Trophy in a final at Nottingham IBC during March each year.
  5. Composition of teams: Teams will normally be 6 rinks of four players from each County. However when a County is unable to field 6 rinks it should inform the opposition of the fact and opt to have either a four or five rink match. Any change requires seven days’ notice.  
  6. Match Venue: 
    1. All six rinks will play at a venue arranged by the home side in the challenger’s county. If both Counties agree the match may be played at a club as near half-way as possible between the Counties
    2. If the chosen venue to opponents’ county town is more than 100 miles by road, determined on a mileage basis the game shall be played on a green as near half-way as possible between the two counties and agreeable to both counties.
    3. If both Counties agree the match may be played at any club, on any day and time.
  7. Fixtures & Frequency: Teams will play each other once each season with the fixtures reversed the following season.
  8. Points: Points will be allocated as follows: 6 rinks match:- 2 points to each rink for a win 1 point to each rink for a tie. 5 rinks match:- 2.4 points to each rink for a win 1.2 point to each rink for a tie. 4 rinks match:- 3 points to each rink for a win  1.5 point to each rink for a tie. 10 points for the team with the highest aggregate score; and in the case of equal aggregate scores 5 points to each team.
  9. Match Date & Start time: The start time of each game shall not be before 10.30am or after 2.30pm and be in accordance with the following: 
    1. Match start times and dates must be mutually agreed by both Counties and confirmed, in writing, to the League Secretary at least four weeks prior to the start of the season.  
    2. Match Secretaries are to re-confirm date, start time and meal arrangements 7 days prior to the fixture to opponents.

4. Match day rules: 

The match shall start at the time agreed by both Counties and confirmed in the MSIBL Fixture Programme. (subject to 3e)

  1. Length of game: All games shall be a maximum of 21 ends plus 2 trial ends within a time limit of 3 hours 50 minutes. 
  2. Last Jack and dead ends: No jack to be cast after the expiry of 3 hours 50 minutes. If the end is dead at this time it will constitute the end of the game. It is not to be replayed. 
  3. Late Starts: In the event of a game starting later due to unforeseen circumstances the 3 hours 50 mins will still commence from the time scheduled by the 2 Counties in the Fixture Programme
  4. Inability to play: In very extenuating circumstances a team unable to start play within 30 minutes of the stipulated start time shall forfeit the game (22 points and 30 shots). Individual rinks which are unable to start play within 30 minutes of the stipulated start time shall forfeit 2 points and 5 shots. Any resulting rink and meal charges must be paid by both teams.
  5. Match postponement or cancellation: 
    1. If a County wants to cancel a match it must first contact the League Secretary by telephone and give the precise reasons for cancellation.  These reasons must then be confirmed, immediately, to the League Secretary by e-mail.  When the League Secretary has agreed the cancellation and confirmed this by e-mail, the County requesting the cancellation must inform the opposition of the situation. 
    2. The "home" County must then inform the match venue club. 
    3. If any charges have been incurred by the match venue club the County which requested the cancellation will be responsible to pay these in full. The match venue club will be required to provide the County concerned with a detailed invoice of the costs involved.
    4. This invoice must be paid, in full, within 28 days of the invoice date. 
    5. The County which requested the match cancellation will be disqualified from the playing competition for the year and all its results become null and void. 
    6. If a County cancels a second match within 3 seasons it will be disqualified from the playing competition for the year and all its results become null and void. It will also be suspended from entry into the League the following year and will be required to re-apply in writing to the League Secretary for entry into the League as a playing member at some future date following its one year’s suspension. 
  6. In exceptional circumstances where a county is unable to field a full team, 
    1. It should be played with a reduced number of rinks (minimum 4 rinks). 
    2. It shall forfeit 2 points and 5 shots for each rink not played. 
    3. The League Secretary should be informed of the match taking place and the reduced number of rinks. 
    4. Any resulting charges for rink and meal fees must be paid by both teams.
  7. Match postponement due to extreme bad weather: 
    1. If a match has to be postponed due to extreme weather, the county wishing to postpone the match must advise the League Secretary. 
    2. The County requesting the postponement must inform the opposition of the situation.  
    3. The "home" County must then inform the match venue club.  
    4. If any charges have been incurred the match venue club will have to provide, to each County, a detailed invoice for 50% of the costs involved.  These invoices must be paid, in full, within 28 days of the invoice date. 
    5. In the case of a postponement (see gll.) the Counties involved must agree a new date and time within 14 days and immediately confirm the new date, by e-mail, to the League Secretary. 

5. Dress & Stickers: 

All matches are to be played in whites with County ties unless coloured shirts approved by the EIBA are worn by all players from the same team. Players must use County stickers on their bowls.

6. Rink and meal costs:  

  1. The rink fee required by the host club must be paid by all players. A separate charge may be made for any meals or refreshments taken before, during or after the game.
  2. The maximum figure is capped at £15.00 with a proviso that if the host-club increased the cost above this amount either a meal would not be taken or a different venue would be found.

7. Match result notification:

The result of the game must be reported to the League Secretary by an official of the home team within 2 days of the game being played.

8. Disputes:

Any dispute will be forwarded in writing to the Secretary, who will form
a "Disputes sub-committee." The Disputes Committee will consist of the Chairman, Secretary and one other Committee Member from a neutral County. They will, by way of a meeting, that is by telephone or e-mail conference consider and rule on any issue(s). The decision of this Disputes Committee will be notified to all parties and will be final.

9. Final Competition: 

  1. To determine the MSIBL Championship a match between the winner of the North and South section will be held in March each year at the Nottingham IBC.
  2. All fixtures will be completed by 28th February

10. Winner’s Bars:

The County winning the League will receive 36 winners bars provided by MSIBL. Extra bars will be available at cost. Qualification for a winners bar is a minimum of 2 matches played. 

(as revised at AGM 12th April 2023)