Rules

These rules have been drawn up in such a manner as to cover most situations, but it is inevitable that an occurrence may arise, which is outside the scope of these rules. In such an instance, the Tournament Director hopes that common sense will prevail to achieve an equitable solution. Any point not provided for in the current Manchester Open Rules or in these conditions will be decided by the Tournament Director and his decision will be final. Any player shall have the right of appeal. Such appeal must be conveyed verbally to the Umpire within 15 minutes of the end of the game involved. This appeal will then be presented to the Tournament Director whose decision shall be final.

RULES & PLAYING CONDITIONS

There are 48 teams in the event, divided into 12 groups of 4 teams. Each team will play against each of the other teams in its group. The winner of each group will be decided by the team with the highest number of points after all matches have been completed. In the event that two or more teams in a group have the same number of points, positions in each group will be decided by aggregate shot difference.
The winner of each group, along with the four non group winners with the highest number of points (or best shot difference if points are tied) will qualify for the last 16 to be played on finals day (31 July 2021). Finals days will be played on a straight knockout basis and the draw for finals day will be made when all qualifiers are known
A match, with each player playing three bowls per end, will consist of two sets, each set played over 7 ends and the winner of each set will be the pair with the most shots at the completion of the 7th end. If at any point it becomes impossible for one pair to draw or win the set given the number of ends remaining, the set must still be played to completion. This is to ascertain who the top 4 highest point teams are they are not group winners.
If, after two sets, the match is tied at two drawn sets (1/1) or one set each (1/1), a best of three ends match tie breaker will be played to determine the winner. The winner of this set will be determined by the team which wins 2 ends and NOT the total number of shots won in the three ends. If at the end of the deciding third end of the match tie breaker the scores are equal due to a tied end, a fourth end will be played with each player delivering a single bowl each to determine the winner. If in the fourth end, opposing bowls are equidistant from the jack, they will be removed and further single bowl each will be played, to the current position of the jack, to determine the winner. During a fourth end, the jack, if hit off the rink, will be re spotted as described in Rules 9/10.
In all other cases a “no score” end will count as an end.
There are 4 point available in each match. Points will be awarded for each of the first two sets and for the overall match. The winner of each set will be awarded 1 point and the loser zero points. If a set is drawn each team shall be awarded 0.5 points. The winner of the match will be awarded a further 2 points.
Play will be in both directions. The pair winning the toss shall have the choice of taking or giving away the jack on the first end of the first set. The loser of the toss shall have the choice of taking or giving away the jack on the first end of the second set. The winner of an end will start the next end in the same set.In a third set, the pair winning the toss shall choose whether to take the jack or give it away in either the first & third ends (assuming it goes to a third end) or to take or give away the jack in the second end. In the event of a fourth end being played the pair winning a “new” toss shall have the choice of taking or giving away the jack.
The pair to start will select where to place the mat along the centre line of the rink and deliver the jack. A full length jack will be at the 3m T mark, from the 3m mat line.
In the third end of a third set (ONLY), each pair will be entitled to “kill / burn” the end once, with the end being replayed (Players must clearly declare to the opposition and umpire an intention to kill the end, prior to the delivery of each bowl). Unless such a prior declaration is made, and in all other circumstances there will be no dead ends and the re-spot rule will apply.
In the event that a team kills the third end of the third set, having declared their intention to do so, they may not be entitled to declare to kill the end again when it is replayed.
Apart from as outlined in rule 10, in the event of the jack leaving the confines of the rink, it will be replaced at one of two predefined points on the rink which are clearly marked by golf tees before the next bowl is delivered or the end decided.
If the jack leaves the rink to the right it will be repositioned on the right predefined point and so on. When the predefined point is occupied, the jack will be repositioned at the nearest available position along the line between the bowl and back up towards the mat in a straight line, but not touching an obstructing bowl.
If a jack leaves the confines of the rink by going over the bank of the ditch, the jack will be repositioned on the usual “T spot”
The jack, when hit into the ditch within the confines of the rink, will remain in play and not be repositioned.
Any bowl leaving the confines of the rink (except on delivery) and not a live toucher in the ditch will be deemed to be dead and immediately removed.
A live rebounding jack, within the confines of the rink, but is less than the minimum of 20m, will be repositioned at the appropriate predefined point as described in these rules.
Measurements between the jack, including a repositioned jack, and the live bowls will be carried out in the normal manner.
Play will be continuous. Leads may not visit the head until all of their bowls have been played and a skip may visit the head only after delivery of their second bowl.
The order of play (lead/skip) may be changed by either pair after the end of each set. The decision to change must be notified to the match official prior to the start of the following set & match tie break, and once notified, cannot be reversed until the end of the next set.
Player’s dress code is casual, or bright and modern team tops may be worn. Correct bowls shoes also please.
Players are required to be ready and available to commence their matches at latest 5 minutes before the programmed session time. Prior to the start of a match, each player will be allowed two trial ends (one end each way).
Players should be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start for their match. In exceptional circumstances the Tournament Director may allow a 30 minutes grace period.
If a player, one pair or both pairs are deemed to be ‘wasting’ time they will be given a warning. If this is ineffective the player involved, or one/both pairs will be disqualified.
All bowls, black/ coloured used at qualifiers / grand final must be stamped with a current World Bowls Official Stamp (oval-rugby ball shape) which came into effect on 1st April 2002. No other bowls stamp is valid. Players are advised that any challenge to a set of bowls can only be tested against the new stamp / standard, the outcome of which will be final.
Each pair will be given a set of coloured stickers, please keep to your colour unless advised to change, this should only be needed for those teams that qualify for the grand final.
If for any reason you need to use a substitution on the grand final date, this will be allowed, however the substitution must not have already played in the event.
If for any reason the green is declared as unfit for play during any of the qualifying dates, the reserve date is Sunday 25th July 2021.

Regards

Jason Parkinson

Tournament Director