Pennant Procedure

MURRAY BOWLS DIVISION PENNANT PROCEDURE

The following information outlines the various administrative procedures to be followed in regard to the conduct of the MBD Pennant competition which is played under Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Domestic Regulations and Bowls Victoria Rules for Competition 2013 / 2014.

It is requested that a copy of these procedures be handed to each Side Manager appointed by your Club.

Saturday Pennant will commence no later than 1.30pm. It is permissible however to commence games prior to 1.30pm if all players are present. The two trial ends must be completed before the commencement time. Each match shall consist of 25 ends per rink.

Midweek Pennant will be played on Fridays and commence no later than 10.00am during September to November and 9.30am from December to March. It is permissible however to commence games prior to these times if all players are present. The two trial ends must be completed before the commencement times. Each match shall consist of 25 ends per rink.

Games in all Divisions may be played at a day or time other than Friday and Saturdays subject to the approval of the Match Committee.

Composition of Sides.

A Club can enter any number of Sides up to the maximum number which can be accommodated on the rinks available for its use and

(i) Sides of a Club other than its first will be numbered 2, 3, 4, etc. in descending order of their seniority.

(ii) If a Club does not have sufficient players to form a Side for the last Division of the competition the MBD Board can grant approval for the Club to combine with one or two other Clubs which do not have sufficient members to form a Side to enter the Pennant Competition. The application must be made by the Club accepting responsibility for the Side and be accompanied by written approval of the other Club or Clubs.

(iii) Sides will be filled by available players in descending order of seniority. If there are insufficient players available to fill all Sides entered by the Club in the Pennant Competition the lowest numbered Side will be the Side which forfeits.

(iv) Prior to the last four rounds of Sectional play there will be no restriction on the interchange of players between the Sides of a club.

(v) For the last four rounds of Sectional play, no Side will include more than three players who have played the majority of their games during the season in a higher numbered Side.

(vi) In any post Sectional knockout match a Side will not include any player who during the current season has played less than four games for the Club.

(vii) In any post Sectional knockout match, a Side will not include any players who during the current season has played more than four games in any of the higher numbered Sides unless the bowler has also played in four or more games in the Side concerned and/or any of the lower numbered Sides prior to the second last Sectional round (games being considered as such whether completed or not and including byes), regardless of whether or not Sides of the Club can be in the same Division.

(viii) If any Club is uncertain of having available sufficient members who are eligible under (v) it can apply to the Match Committee for permission to play if necessary other nominated members and if permission is granted such members can play in any position other than Skip.

(ix) Male members selected to play in Mid-week Pennant are not permitted to play as Skip.

Pennant Check Forms:-

A form will be provided by the Home Side in every instance. It must be completed and signed by the Home Side Manager and checked and counter-signed by the Manager of the Visiting Side. It is important that details and scores are checked accurately, as this is the official results sheet of the Match.

The forms shall be filled in with black pen and all details of teams, scores to be recorded legibly and correctly. It is imperative that all Divisions and Sections of the respective sides are identified and that substitutes are designated (Sub).

The Secretary of the Home Club is responsible to see that this completed form is forwarded to the MBD Pennant Recorder as soon as possible after the completion of the match.

No alteration to a completed form received by the Pennant Recorder will be permitted unless a correction agreed to in writing by both Clubs is lodged within 14 days of the match, or such longer period as the Match Committee can allow.

Penalties may occur if the Pennant Check form is illegible, incorrectly filled out or incomplete.

Pre-Match Practice:-

Pre-match practice is permitted for Saturday Pennant provided it is undertaken before 12.00 noon on the day of the match. Any player due to play in a match can with the permission of the Venue Club practice on any rink other than the rinks on which they may be drawn to play.

Draw for Rinks:-

The Side Manager should be at the venue 30 minutes before the commencement of the trial ends for the exchange of cards and the allocation of rinks.

The draw for rinks and opponents will be conducted by the opposing Side Managers who will exchange cards and then shuffle them, after which the cards of one side will be placed names downward by one of the Managers and the other Manager will then place a card on each, and the teams will play as thus drawn.

Dress Regulations:-

It is the responsibility of the President of each Club to ensure all members observe the Bowls Victoria Regulations for Attire, including the Bowls Australia National Logo Policy, which applies at all times when playing in Pennant and above Competitions.

All players in the Side must comply with Bowls Victoria Regulations for attire.

If a side in the lowest Pennant Division comprises two or three Clubs the players are permitted to wear their respective club shirts and hat bands. However, if coloured bowl discs are used they must be a constant colour and all members of the combined side will use the disc’s.

Club coloured shirts (if the Club has Club Colours approved by MBD and Bowls Victoria) must be worn. If registered Club Shirt, all members of a side must be attired in the same shirt.

Club Caps and Bucket Hats in Club Colours only may also be worn. (Hat with Club band, caps and bucket hats other than designated colours must be white and bear the Bowls Australia logo).

Any replacement clothing must conform to the Bowls Victoria Regulations. Junior squad members may wear their official shirt until Club coloured shirts become available if they do not have shirts in stock.

Team managers must indicate on the pennant form any players incorrectly attired.

Please note that penalties apply for players being incorrectly attired.

Timing of Greens:-

Greens must be timed before the start of play and space is provided on the Pennant Check form for this to be recorded. Timing of greens must be carried out by the nominated Umpire for the day in conjunction with the senior visiting Side Manager or nominated representative. The pace must be recorded on the Pennant Check form and prominently displayed by the Manager of the home side.

It is important timing is carried out and reported accurately as the information is used by both the Match and Greens Committees.

Substitutes:-

(i) Where a Club has insufficient of its own members to field complete side, affiliated members from other Clubs may be used as substitutes to make up the number. However in any Side, only one substitute may be allowed in each team.

(ii) After the commencement of play in a match, a substitute can take the place of any member of the side in accordance with Law 51.2 and Domestic Regulation 4.7 only if such member becomes unable to continue to play in the match by reason of circumstances arising after the commencement of the match in accordance with Domestic Regulation 4.7

Please note that all substitutes must be approved by the Umpire.

Incomplete Side:–

If at the latest time for the commencement of a match a side does not have sufficient players to form a side,

(i) the side will play with each defaulting team of the side playing as lead, second and skip respectively.

(ii) the lead will play his three bowls alternately with the opposing lead and second and the second will play his three bowls alternately with the opposing second’s second bowl and the opposing third. The duty of the third in a team of three will be carried out by the second, and

(iii) one fourth of the total shots scored (including decimal places) by each defaulting team will be deducted from the score after the game has finished.

Umpires:-

If the Home side does not have an Umpire or Measurer and the opposing team has an Umpire or Measurer then they shall be invited to act as Umpire/Measurer for the day. If no Umpire or Measurer is available from either side then the Home Side Manager will appoint a competent person to act for the day and will advise the visiting Side Manager and all players of this decision.

All umpires are to ensure that a Current Bowls Australia Law book & Rules for Competition is in the Umpires Kit.

Identification Discs:-

Clubs may use the coloured bowls discs of their choice provided all members of the side use discs that are of the same colour. Where opponents are using the same coloured discs the visiting Side shall remove theirs or use another colour if available.

Registration of Players:-

Please ensure that all pennant players are correctly affiliated with Bowls Victoria. This includes players who have received clearances from other Clubs. These players must be listed on the proper registration form or the Club faces the possibility of penalties being invoked.

Inclement Weather Procedure:-

Club administrators and Side Managers must be fully acquainted with the MBD Inclement Weather Rules. It should be noted the term “Inclement Weather” includes excessive heat.

Midweek Pennant:

(i) The Murray Bowls Division Match Committee shall be the only authority for determining prior to the day on which matches are to be played, whether or not all play shall be abandoned for that Round. When play is abandoned due to inclement weather, each Club Secretary will be advised before 7.30am on the day of the Match.

(ii) On days of extreme heat the Match Committee shall request that the temperature be measured at a minimum of two designated weather stations, one north and one south.

(iii) If the Match Committee have not determined that play be abandoned, each Club’s Green Director or their deputy shall be the sole authority in determining whether play may be commenced on the Club’s green (i.e. due to heavy rain etc.).

(iv) If a decision not to commence play is reached before the arrival of the visiting side or sides, such decisions shall be promptly telephoned to the Club or Clubs concerned by a Club official who has been notified of the decision.

(v) Umpires to read the temperature at 9.30 am (9.00), 11.30am (11.00) and 1.00pm (12.30) or more frequently if felt necessary. When the temperature reaches 37deg, it will be read every ½ hour.

(vi) If the temperature reaches 38 deg all pennant play at that venue will cease immediately on Umpires indication (ends in play shall be completed) and the inclement rule will apply.

(vii) If due to inclement weather a match has not commenced by 12 noon (11.30am) it will be abandoned.

(viii) When play for the day has been commenced and has been stopped due to inclement weather or because the green has been closed by the Greens Director or his deputy, it shall not be resumed if the greens remain unfit for play: if otherwise the Managers shall decide whether to resume or not. Failing agreement, the Umpire shall make the decision.

(ix) Every effort shall be made to complete a post sectional (knockout) match, but if such a match is abandoned it shall be completed under such conditions as the Match Committee shall decide.

If a sectional match has been delayed or interrupted by inclement weather and has not been completed by 3.00pm (2.30), it shall be abandoned at 3.00pm (2.30), or if play has been resumed and is then in progress thereafter upon the interruption or completion of any end or ends in play at 3.00pm (2.30).

A delay or interruption shall be deemed to have occurred only if play on all rinks has been interrupted and/or resumed by agreement between the managers or by direction of the umpire failing agreement, i.e. if inclement weather causes the Side Managers to interrupt a match, upon resumption of play unfinished ends shall be played in accordance with Laws 50.2 and 50.3.

If the Match Committee has not determined that all play for the day be abandoned by 7.30am and due to inclement weather a sectional match is abandoned it shall count as a tie. Provided however that if the scores are such that one side must win the match if all remaining ends were played that club shall be awarded the match with the scores as at the abandonment.

Every effort shall be made to complete a post sectional (knockout) match, but if such a match is abandoned it shall be completed under such conditions as the Match Committee shall decide.

If less than 50% of the games in a Division are completed, the results for that Division will not count. If due to weather less than half the matches should be abandoned, those games will split the points.

If the MBD Match Committee determines prior to 7.30am that all play for the day shall be abandoned, the Pennant Check forms must be sent to the Pennant Recorder by the each Club for every scheduled match.

Saturday Pennant:

The Murray Bowls Division Match Committee shall be the only authority for determining prior to 11.00am on the day of the matches whether or not play shall be abandoned for that Round. If play is abandoned the decision shall be communicated to all clubs by telephone, email or fax as early as possible.

If the Match Committee shall have not determined that play be abandoned each Club’s Greens Director or their deputy shall be the sole authority for determining whether play can be commenced on the Club’s green. Each club upon whose green a match is scheduled to be played shall arrange for an appropriate person to be present for this purpose.

If due to inclement weather a match has not commenced by 3.00p.m. it will be abandoned.

When play for the day has been commenced and has been stopped due to inclement weather or because the green has been closed by the Greens Director or his deputy, it shall not be resumed if the greens remain unfit for play: if otherwise, the Side Managers shall decide whether to resume or not. Failing agreement, the Umpire shall make the decision.

If a sectional match has been delayed or interrupted by inclement weather and has not been completed by 7.00pm, it shall be abandoned at 7.00pm, or if play has been resumed and is then in progress thereafter upon the interruption or completion of any end or ends in play at 7.00pm.

If the Match Committee has not determined that all play for the day be abandoned by 11.00am and due to inclement weather a sectional match is abandoned it shall count as a tie. Provided however that if the scores are such that one side must win the match if all remaining ends were played that club shall be awarded the match with the scores as at the abandonment.

Every effort shall be made to complete a post sectional (knockout) match, but if such a match is abandoned it shall be completed under such conditions as the Match Committee shall decide.

The Match Committee shall request that the temperature be measured at a minimum of two designated weather stations, one north and one south.

If the Temperature reaches 40 deg. (Centigrade) on/or before 11.00am all games of Pennant will be cancelled by the Match Committee, and Clubs advised by telephone, e-mail or Fax of this decision.

Otherwise both Managers will inspect the Home Teams weather Station between 1.15pm-1.30pm & record on Pennant sheet the inside temperature. If the Temperature reaches 40 deg.C inside the Box the Match must be suspended (ends in play shall be completed) until the temperature falls below 40.C or abandoned when insufficient time is available to complete the required number of ends that constitutes a match. Then read & record at afternoon tea or 3.30pm or at an earlier time by agreement of both Managers. When the temperature reaches 39 deg. it will be read every 1/2 hour.

Where a match has not commenced by 3.00pm it shall be abandoned. Advice of Abandonment of play for the day by the MBD Match Committee will be to Club Secretaries.

Temperature & time and the number of ends completed must be recorded on Pennant Form, signed by both Managers & faxed to Pennant Recorder A.S.A.P.

The Pennant Check form shall show the results as a tie, with the scores 0-0. The words “NO PLAY” should be written across the form. If less than 50% of the games in a Division are completed, the results for that Division will not count. If due to weather less than half the matches should be abandoned, those games will split the points.

If the MBD Match Committee determines prior to 11.00am that all play for the day shall be abandoned, the Pennant Check forms must be sent to the Pennant Recorder by each Club for every scheduled match.

If play for the day is abandoned by the MBD Match Committee prior to the scheduled commencement time then both sides will share points for matches scheduled on that day. (This does not include walkovers and/or byes).

If a match is abandoned by mutual agreement before or during play before a result is obtained then each side shall share equally the maximum points available for the game. If a match is abandoned during play and a result is possible under Rule 10E (iii) (f) (i) then the points shall be allotted as if the match had been completed at the time of abandonment.

If a Club for any one of a number of reasons, including inclement weather, has insufficient rinks available for the number of games scheduled to be played at home on a given day it is put into a situation where it has to either find an alternative venue that is prepared to assist by making excess rinks available or deciding which of the home games are not going to be played. In such a case the following will apply:-

(i) Available greens are to be allocated to the home sides in order of seniority of the sides drawn to play at home.

(ii) If an alternative venue is available that venue may be used, again in seniority, by those sides which cannot be catered for at home.

(iii) It will always be the sides in the lower Divisions which may be transferred or miss out on a game.

(iv) In the event that a game is to be transferred to an alternative venue the mutual agreement of the opposing side needs to be obtained as soon as possible and the Chairman of the MBD Match Committee advised.

Death of a player:-

If after the commencement of any Sectional Pennant match the death of any bowler occurs at the Club, all matches in progress at the Club will be abandoned, and

(i) if not less than 60 ends have been completed in a four team match or 45 ends in a three team match, the match will be decided in accordance with the aggregate scores, but

(ii) if fewer ends have been played, the match will be deemed to be a tie.

If, after the commencement of a post sectional match, the death of a participating player occurs then all matches in progress at the club shall cease. The matches shall be recommenced at the direction of the Match Committee with the scores as they were at the player’s death. Incomplete ends shall be replayed. The team which suffered the player’s death may be reconstituted as desired.

Allocation of Points – Sectional Play

(i) The method of scoring shall be determined by the total points gained by each side. Points shall be awarded as follows:

Ten (10) points for each Win plus two (2) points for each winning rink with one (1) point for a rink draw.

(ii) A side giving a forfeit shall be debited with 15 shots and the side receiving a forfeit credited with 10 points plus 2 points for each rink.

(iii) Washouts and games not played due to inclement weather shall be treated as drawn games with each side sharing the points equally. If 50% or more matches are completed then the game result will stand. If due to inclement weather less than 50% matches should be abandoned those games will split the points. Sides having a bye do not score points.

(iv) Byes shall be restricted to the lower division except in the case of a side withdrawing from a higher Division after the draw is made,

(v) Should a bye be necessary in a Division and a partial round played during sectional matches ladder positions shall be determined firstly on a match ratio to two decimal points (match ratio to be calculated thus: points scored x 100 divided by possible number of points), and secondly by shots up divided by the number of games played.

Sectional Play and Finals

(i) Sides shall consist of three teams of four players for Midweek Pennant and Sides in Divisions 1and 2 in Saturday Pennant shall consist of four teams of four players, Division 3 shall consist of 3 teams of 4 players.

(ii) For Saturday Pennant the composition of players in Division 4 or below shall be determined by the Match Committee each year. In order to maintain the maximum number of competing sides they may consist of either two teams of four players or three teams of three players.

(iii) The competition shall consist of Divisions each with one section. Divisions shall be numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

(iv) The Match Committee shall determine the number of home and away games to be played in each Division depending on the number of sides entered in each Division.

(v) Post Sectional matches shall be played thus:

Semi Finals 1^st – 4v3, 2^nd – 2v1

Finals Winner 4v3 versus Loser 2v1

Grand Final Winner 2^nd Semi Final v Winner Final.

(vi) In determining ladder positions at the end of the home and away rounds, if two or more sides have the same number of points their order shall be determined by the net margin of shots “for” minus “against” for each side.

If the net margins be equal the order shall be determined by the higher proportion of “total shots for” divided by the “total shots against”.

If there is still a tie for a position to qualify for post sectional play the sides concerned shall play a deciding match under conditions stipulated by the Match Committee.

(vii) Venues for post sectional matches shall be arranged by the Match Committee. Match shall be played on neutral greens with following exceptions:

(a) a Side may choose to waive its right to a neutral green in the interests of the Division

(b) if two Sides from one Club play each other, the Match Committee may allow the match to be played on the Club’s home green

Promotions and Relegations

The premier sides in Divisions 2 and 3 shall be promoted to the next higher Division and the bottom side in Divisions 1and 2 shall be relegated to the next lower Division in each succeeding year.

For Divisions 3 and 4 the Match Committee shall determine the system in order to maintain a balanced competition.

Walkovers:-

Penalties will apply against a Club giving a walkover. In addition to the points awarded a side giving a walkover shall lose 15 shots, and the Side receiving a walkover shall gain 15 shots.

In addition to the shots penalties a financial penalty of $25.00 will be invoked for each of the first and second walkovers granted by Clubs. For a third walkover a penalty of $50.00 will apply and subsequent walkovers will attract a penalty of $100.00 each.

In the event of a walkover, both sides must complete a Pennant Check form showing which side has given the walkover.

The side that receives the walkover and it not being a home game must also send in a Pennant Check form to register the players that would have played in the match for registration for finals.

cheduled Break:-

For Saturday Pennant a break for afternoon tea will be scheduled as follows:

At an appropriate time (approximately 3.15pm) the bell is to be rung and no new ends are to be commenced after this time including ends that have been made dead. A break of a maximum of 20 minutes is to be taken following which all players are expected to be back at their rink to re-commence play.

During the break if welcome speeches are made these should be undertaken only by the Manager of the Senior Home Side with the Manager of the Senior Visiting Side responding