We have 13 teams entering the Veterans Inter League, the most in a long long time.
This year it is hosted by the Premier League, with Meole Brace and Castlefields hosting the group stages and Sir John Bayley the Semi Finals and Final.
The holders the Premier League are entering two teams, with the Tanners League hoping green knowledge helps them with their three entries, including an all ladies teams. There are three teams from the North Shropshire Veterans Crown Green Bowling Association, with two from the Ludlow and Mid Shropshire Leagues and one from the Oswestry League.
The draw is as follows.
Meole Brace No.1 Green by Road (SY3 9JF)
Ludlow A
NSCVGBA B
Oswestry
Premier League Blue & Yellow
10 start. Teams to be there for 9.45.
Meole Brace No.2 Green by Car Park (SY3 9JF) –
Tanners A
Premier League White
NSVCGBA A
Tanners Ladies
Mid Shropshire B
NSVCGBA C
Castlefields No.2 Far Green – (SY1 2JX)
Tanners B
Mid Shropshire A
Ludlow B
Mike Potter will be running the two greens at Meole Brace, and Rob Burroughs will be running the two greens at Castlefields, as well as the Semi Finals and Final at Sir John Bayley.
Two points for a win, one for a draw. If there is a tie on points, then it goes on aggregate.
The four group winners are to travel straight to Sir John Bayley (TF1 1QX) to play in the Semi Finals. The two group winners at Meole Brace will play each other, and the two at Castlefields will play each other. There will be 5 games on the green at one time, the two group winners at Meole Brace will have the 3 games on first. The two winners will play each other in the final, with 3 blocks on. Semis and Final are decided on aggregate, then game wins, best winner etc.
There is 6 on the card in all rounds. Both Premier League teams receive a minus 20 handicap overall. Any other players who have played more than 4 Premier League games in another team will receive a minus 2 handicap in their game, as well any other home players.
Dress code does apply throughout the competition.
Rules
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- To be played on a date selected by the Competitions Secretary.
- The host league will be decided by a rota. If a league declines to host then the next league will be asked to. Once a league hosts, or declines it, they will go to the end of the rota. A league can only host who entered the previous year.
- The host league organises the competition. They must nominate an officer or officers to take charge of the event to the Competitions Secretary and County Secretary.
- The host league must provide at least a two green venue. Each green should have a manager.
- Teams consist of 6 players from a squad of up to 10. These players must have played at least 2 games in that league at the time of the competition to be eligible.
Veterans – to be eligible to play you must have reached 60 on the 1st January this year. - Teams must be submitted to the host officer at least two days ahead of the competition.
- Each team will appoint a captain or officer in charge. They will submit their first team in playing order by 9.45 to the green manager. Other teams will be submitted in playing order when requested by the Green Manager and no later than when the 5th game has commenced from their previous match. In every match a coin toss will determine the odd or even cast of the jacks. Players should report to the Green Manager or Referee within 5 minutes of being called. If a player is unable to play when called the team may replace that player with another member of the named squad not playing in that match.
- All games start on 6. All games 21up.
All Premier League Teams start on -20 per game.
Individual Handicaps: Home Player or a Premier League player not in a Premier League team (having played more than 4 Premier League games) deduct 2 from start. - BCGBA dress code will apply in all rounds.
- Priority is given to those leagues that entered the previous year. All leagues may submit at least one team. It should be endeavoured to have groups of equal size. The host team would get first priority to enter another team, then any other league can enter to make up equal group sizes. It is limited to 16 teams.
- Teams will be drawn in groups and will play each other in a round robin format. In each match the team with the highest aggregate scored will be declared the winner and awarded 2 points. In the case of a drawn aggregate 1 point will be awarded to each team. After the completion of the round robin games the team with the highest number of points will be declared the winners of the group and progress to the Semi Finals. If any teams are on the same number of points then the following criteria will apply; aggregate difference, aggregate scored, games won, head to head record. If teams can still not be separated, and it affects who progresses, then one person from the squad of each team will play each other in an 11up game, with the winner progressing. If a best runner up needs to progress to the Semi Finals then the team with the highest number of points in that position will progress to the Semi Finals. If there is a tie then the above criteria will apply.
- In the Semi Finals and Finals the team who scored the highest aggregate will be declared the winners. If there is a tie the team with the most winners will be declared the winner. If this cannot determine a winner, then it will be determined by best winner, 2nd best winner & 3rd best winner. If a winner can still not be declared, a player from each team, who played in the match, will play an 11up match with the winning player declared the winner for their team.
- The winning league will receive the John Bowers Trophy. The Trophy to be brought back on the day of the competition.
- There will be no entry fee, all leagues and host clubs to donate a raffle prize to the value of £10, or will be invoiced £10. All proceeds to be donated to a charity chosen by the current County President.
- If a league entered doesn’t take part there will be a £30 fine which would go to the charity of the current County President. They will not be allowed to host the following year.
- Any other not covered by these rules will be dealt by the host officers or/and Green Managers.
