BATAgas RYEDALE TRIPLES LEAGUE RULES AS UPDATED NOVEMBER 2023
1.
The name of the League shall be known as the BATAgas Ryedale Triples League.
2.
By the end of March each year, each club will inform the league as to whether they wish to be a “3-rink Club” or a “4-rink Club” for the coming season. Fixtures between two “4-rink Clubs” will consist of 4 rinks of triples. All other fixtures will be 3 rinks of triples.
3.
(a) If all Clubs have opted to be “3-rink Clubs” then eight points will be available for each league game with 2 points awarded for each winning rink (shared in the event of a tie) and 2 points for the team with the greatest aggregate number of shots scored (shared in the event of a tie). (b) If some Clubs have opted to be “4-rink Clubs” then ten points will be available in all league games. For 4-rink games, 2 points shall be awarded for each winning rink (shared in the event of a tie) and 2 points for the team with the greatest aggregate number of shots scored (shared in the event of a tie). For 3-rink games, 2.5 points shall be awarded for each winning rink (shared in the event of a tie) with 2.5 points awarded to the team with the greatest aggregate number of shots (shared in the event of a tie).
4.
Where a rink is played with one player short, the side scoring at the last played end shall cast the jack. The team with three players (9 woods), shall lead and play last at each end. The team with two players shall bowl 4 woods each (8 woods in total). In the interest of fair play and sportsmanship a reserve player will be deemed eligible to play for the opposition in the lead position
5.
The visiting team will cast the jack on the first end in League matches. The first two ends will be played for one shot.
6.
A game will consist of 18 ends unless the captains have agreed before the start of the game that fewer ends will be played. However, a minimum of 12 ends must be played to count as a game.
7.
If a game has begun but is interrupted by the weather or other exceptional circumstance, it shall be resumed with the scores as they were when the game was stopped. An end commenced but not completed shall be declared dead. The end will be declared dead even if one or more players choose to remain on the green during the stoppage. A reduced number of ends may be decided upon at the discretion of the captains, however at least 12 ends must be completed for it to count as a game.
8.
If a game has begun but is stopped as a result of the weather or other exceptional circumstances before the agreed number of ends have been played and cannot continue, then this will count as a game as long as 12 or more ends have been played and both captains agree. If a game is postponed because of the weather or other exceptional circumstances, or is started but stopped at a point which does not count as a game, then the game must be re-arranged and played as a new game.
9.
Sufficient allowance will be provided within the fixtures list for any postponed matches to be played prior to the date set for the final round of matches. The only re-arranged games that can be played after the final round of matches will be games from the final round of matches postponed due to weather. If any game is not re-arranged and played then neither team will score any points. Sharing of points is not allowed.
10.
Players to wear correct footwear: shoes with plain flat rubber soles must be worn. This rule will be enforced by member clubs.
11.
Rinks to be correctly marked.
12.
Rinkside scoreboards must remain in place until all rinks have finished their games so that teams are aware of the aggregate number of shots scored.
13.
The fixtures shall be arranged by the Secretary. Matches shall be played on a Monday / Friday evening. Additional nights may be required for any matches postponed etc. The Secretary is to be notified of the results and number of shots scored as soon as possible after the match ends, the home team being responsible for this. The date, venue and format of the trophies presentation shall be decided by the Committee.
14.
All matches to commence at 6.45pm in May, June and July and 6.30pm in August and September.
15.
All disputes, complaints etc. to be referred to the Secretary in writing and shall be considered by the Committee.
16.
Bowls England Rules shall apply with the exception of any domestic arrangements made at the AGM.
17.
Good manners and sportsmanship shall prevail.
18.
The season’s schedule will include a competition known as the Fred Husband Knock-Out Trophy which will be played as three rinks of triples with the draw being made at or shortly after the AGM. Semi-finals will be played at neutral venues and the final played at Swinton unless Swinton are themselves in the final, in which case an alternative venue for the final will be found. Matches will follow the above rules but with the following differences:

rather than the away team getting the jack for the first end, the captains will toss a coin with the winner of the toss deciding which team should bowl the jack to the first end

the match result is decided on aggregate number of shots across all 3 rinks – there are no points awarded per rink, just aggregate number of shots across all rinks

if the aggregate shots are tied at the end of the match then all rinks simultaneously play an additional end with the aggregate number of shots across all 3 rinks determining the winner

before this extra end the captains will again toss a coin with the winner of the toss deciding which team should bowl the jack to the extra end

If aggregate shots are still tied after this extra end then an additional end is played on all rinks simultaneously with the jack being bowled by the triple that won the previous end on each rink. This process of additional ends continues until the aggregate number of shots across all rinks provides a decisive outcome.
19.
All clubs will have one vote at an Annual General Meeting to be held in October or November following the season. The Secretary and Chairperson will also have one vote and, in the event of a tie, the Chairperson will have the casting vote. Date and venue to be decided by the Committee.
20.
The running of the League shall be the responsibility of the Committee who shall be three members from different clubs elected at the AGM, plus the Chairperson and Secretary.
21.
All Officers and Committee shall be nominated at the Annual General Meeting.
22.
Any proposal for the AGM should be submitted before a deadline set by the Committee together with the name of a seconder.
23.
Applications for membership to the league shall be received by the Secretary in writing and considered at the AGM.
24.
Annual entrance fee to be £5 but reviewed annually at the AGM.
KINDLY NOTE
Clubs are reminded that a game can be played with as few as 8 players (4 rinks of 2 players each) or as few as 6 players (3 rinks of 2 players each) for 3-rink games. It is therefore a “gentleman’s agreement” that every effort should be made to fulfil a fixture even if there is a player short on every rink.