Rules

1) The competition will be called the “Weymouth and Portland Skittle League”. Only teams within the defined Weymouth and Portland catchment area will be eligible to participate. This is an Open League.

2) To be run as a League, each team to play one home and one away match with each other team in their division. Games to commence by 8:15pm approx. No later than 8:45 pm.

A win to count as two points, and a draw as one point each.

3) Each team to field a maximum of 8 players per match, this is an open league. All players shall be 14 years of age or over. There can be three 14-16year olds permitted to play in a team during a game at one time, there is no limit on how many can be signed on.

4) Games may only start if 6 or more players are present. If the extra player(s) turn up before both teams have completed their second hand then the player(s) may join the game and should complete the missed hands. If the player(s) arrive after this time, the player(s) shall take no part in the game. If a player is injured at any stage during a match, then if a reserve is available, the reserve may continue in the injured players place (even in the middle of a hand) and complete the match. The hands that the injured player has thrown will stand.

4(a). When a team is not complete four (4) pins will be awarded per hand for each missing player.

5) Every team must have a “sticker up” in place at the start of each hand who must be 13 years of age or over. Under no circumstances may any sticker-up use any hand-held electronic device with or without headphones while the game is in progress.

6) Each team to pay £100.00 entrance fee. This fee covers team entry to the League and Cup competitions and the registration of ALL players. All Registrations to be paid via BACS (details on Registration Form)

7) Seven legs shall be played per team per match and the number of pins totalled.

8) A pin knocked off the plate to be counted down if standing or not. If after all pins have stopped rolling a pin which has any part of its base in contact with its plate and is supported by another pin(s), shall remain standing even if the removal of the supporting pin(s) shall cause the pin to fall.

9) Players must commence their throw with at least one foot touching the backboard. Single handed players must release the ball in their first stride. The ball must pitch before the 20ft line. The 20ft line is the only line in use.

10) Any ball hitting the side of the alley or being pitched over the 20ft line before hitting any pins will be called a no ball, and count as a bolter. Any pins knocked down by that ball will be reset.

11) If more than the required number of pins and balls is made available in the alley, then prior to the game starting the home team MUST select which 3 balls and 9 pins ONLY are to be used. In the case of multiple diamonds the home team must ensure that the away team is aware of the diamond in use.

12) The team with the highest number of points in their division shall be the winner of the Cup, but in the event of more than one team totalling the same number of points they shall play off for this position. If all teams concerned play on the same alley then that alley shall be used for the play-off.

13) Top two teams in each division shall be promoted. Bottom two teams liable to relegation.

14) Captains or Secretaries of home teams are to supply and fill in correctly, the result card. The score card must be signed by both teams ONLY after the match has been completed. These signatures are endorsing the stated result AND ARE BINDING. If there is any dispute then the team in dispute should not sign the score card and should report the matter to the League Secretary within 24 hours. The winning team is responsible for sending a photograph of the result card to the League Secretary by ‘Whatsapp’ before 11am on the Saturday following the match. They should then hold the card until the Season end. In the event of a drawn match the home team will remain responsible for the delivery.

15) Fixture cancellations will be allowed in exceptional circumstances and in agreement with the League Secretary. A written submission is to be made electronically to the League Secretary in good time requesting a postponement and stating the reason. If possible a new agreed date should be included. This will be considered and possibly investigated by the Committee. It is possible penalties might be incurred if a legitimate reason is not submitted.

16) All team entries, including entrance fees, names and addresses of Secretaries, plus a minimum of 8 named players, must be received by the League Secretary as at the agreed date by committee

17) Players shall only play for one team in the League, unless that player wishes to transfer from the original team of registration. This may be done providing the player applies in writing to the League Secretary enclosing £5.00 transfer fee. The application must be endorsed by the Captain or Secretary of the team which the player is leaving. Such transfer to be at the discretion of the Committee and limited to one per season. Transfer will take effect fourteen days after receipt of application during which time the player should not play for any team. No transfers allowed after 1st.February.

18) Any team playing an ineligible player will forfeit the game to their opponents and also have three points deducted from their total..

19) In the event of any dispute, one representative of each team may meet the Committee.

20) Any team failing to fulfil three or more fixtures within the Leagues (or Cup) rules in one season will be automatically expelled. All matches played by a team withdrawing or expelled from the League shall be void and will be removed from the records.

21) The NAMES of additional players wishing to register after the League has commenced must be received by the League Secretary or any Committee member before playing. Failure to do so will result in the registration being void and Rule 18 will apply.

22) To avoid dispute, Secretaries should ensure that the FRONT THREE PINS are clearly marked before the commencement of the game. The front pin should be white both ends, the choir boys white one end and in addition the backer should be red both ends.

23) All protests MUST be in writing and lodged with the League Secretary within 72 hours of the alleged breach of the rules.

24) Any team changing its name shall remain in the division the side is playing (subject to promotion and relegation) providing it retains a majority of registered players of the previous season. If a team splits exactly in half the Committee will decide on the divisional placings of each team. A team cannot change its name during a playing season. After the published registration night a team cannot change its home alley except in extenuating circumstances which will be investigated by the Committee.

25) All major trophies to be perpetual.

26) Proposed changes to rules and nominations for Officers and Committee should be lodged to the League Chair / League Secretary as per the date circulated by the committee (approx. 2 weeks before AGM date)

27) Each team shall send a representative to the Annual General Meeting. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of THREE points in the ensuing season.

28) The Committee reserve the right to reject any team or player registration.

29) These rules apply to all Weymouth and Portland Skittle League Competitions.

30) Behaviour – Any team / player bringing the game/league into disrepute are subject to appropriate action being taken: Eg:Suspension, £20 fine and potential 3 points deducted. Any disrepute will be discussed by the committee with the relevant parties and actions agreed. The committee’s decision will be FINAL.

The Committee have the power to decide on any matters not covered by these rules and in all cases their decision shall be final

KNOCK-OUT CUPS

1) These competitions shall be known as the “Weymouth & Portland Skittle League K.O Cup” and shall be open only to teams competing in their respective Leagues. Players are only eligible to play for their registered team.

2) Each team to field a maximum of 8 players.

3) The team drawn first shall be the home team who should then book their alley by arrangement with their Landlord or Steward and then offer their opponents at least two dates for the fixture, except where a week is set aside, when only one date need be given and must be adhered to. Matches to be played by the completion date for that round.

4) Arrangements should be made and confirmed with the opposition at least 10 days before the fixture is due to be played. In the event of a team being unable to agree a date, the matter is to be reported to the League Secretary for consultation with the Committee whose decision is final.

5) Captains or Secretaries of winning teams to be responsible for the result cards being sent via ‘whatsapp’ before 11am on the Saturday following the match.

6) In the event of a drawn match at any stage of the competition extra hands to be thrown until a result occurs. Any player throwing their hands off and leaving the premises may not return to throw their extra hand/s in the event of a drawn match.

7) Semi-finals and finals to be played on neutral alleys unless both teams involved in the fixture play on the same alley

with the same diamond, pins and balls when that alley shall be used. Alleys and dates of these matches, which must be adhered to, will be arranged by the Committee.

8) All matches to be played on a Weymouth and Portland Skittle League alley.

9) Players may only play for one team in any cup competition. Any player transferring teams during the season may be cup-tied.

SECRETARY’S CUP

Rules as for the Knock-Out competitions. These competitions are open to teams knocked out in either the Preliminary or First Rounds of the K.O.Cup Competition

KNOCK-OUT PAIRS COMPETITION

1) The Competition shall be known as the “Weymouth and Portland Skittles League Pairs Competition. Separate competitions for Ladies, Men and Mixed Pairs will be played in the same week.

2) It shall be open to any player registered with a team in the Weymouth and Portland Skittle League.

3) A person who enters with another to make a pair (not necessarily from the same League side), can only play with that person during the initial rounds of the competition, however, a substitute may be allowed at the discretion of the Committee. Only one entry per player permitted. Only 1 14-16yr old per pair.

4) In the event of a player or pair being unavailable for finals night, substitute players will be drawn from the losing finalists from the initial alley where the unavailable player or pair won. If on finals night, due to an emergency, a player is not available, then the Committee will provide an appropriate substitute.

5) Players will be informed via social media/website, when, where and start time they have to play their matches. Matches will be played consecutively, the top 2 pairs from the whole board, will progress to the next round.

6) Each player will throw seven hands, in sets of three, the winners being decided on the total number of pins knocked after the 7 hands. Pins off the plate are down. The top 2 pairs from the whole board, will progress to the next round. Each team will alternately throw their hands in order.

7) In the event of a tie, each player to throw one extra hand of three balls.

8) In the event of a further tie, each player to throw only one ball. In all cases the frame of nine pins to be set up after a player has thrown.

9) The semi-final and final which are played on finals night will be played across 7 hands and will take place on a pre-selected alley.

10) Trophies will be awarded to Winners and Runners-Up in each of the Competitions.

The Committee have the power to decide on any matters not covered by these rules and in all cases their decision shall be final