TAG BOWLS 3 players to a team, played in a pairs format.

Rules and etiquette of the sport apply.

Teams arrange their own match times.

Rules of entry

This is an open team event. (teams of 3 of any gender mix)

There is no handicap applied in this game.

Rink bookings must show, as a minimum, a name, the competition being played and the start time.

Format of play

Each team will consist of Three players, with two bowls per player.

The match will be played over 12 ends as pairs

The winner will be the team with the highest number of shots after 12 ends.

During play, there must be no further play, if at any point, it becomes impossible for one team to win, given the number of ends left.

Teams should discuss and agree beforehand how many ends each player is likely to play and in what sequence, to ensure fairness and clarity.

During the match, if a player is unable to complete the number of ends originally agreed, the remaining team members may take on the extra ends provided all team members agree.

Any changes should be made with minimal disruption to play.

If no agreement can be made, then the match is forfeited to the opposition.

Tie breaker

If the game is tied after 12 ends have been completed a tie breaker end must be played to decide the winner. The winning team having the highest number of shot on completion of the tie breaker end. During play there must be no further play in the tie breaker, if at any point, it becomes impossible for one team to draw or win.

If the tie breaker is a tie, then a further tie breaker end is to be played, if this is also tied then extra ends must be played until a winner is found.

All tie breaker ends require a coin toss. The winner of the toss has the choice to have procession of the mat or pass to the opposition.

Additional tie breaker ends do not have to be played by the same pair.

Tagging

A player can Tag when it is the allotted time for a team member to play or Tag out of the agreed sequence for tactical reasons or if they need a break, swapping the ends they were initially going to play or agreeing not to play all their allocated ends.

Once the end has started there can be no more Tagging until that end has finished.

Score Card

The Challengers are the Home side of the score board.

Each team must have and fill in a score card which must be handed to the organiser or placed in the score card box next to the letter rack in the hall.

Incomplete Matches

If a team is unable to complete all 12 ends, the match will be forfeited and awarded to the opposition.

Weather conditions or loss of light in an evening Game.

If a game is stopped due to weather or loss of light, then after agreement between players, the game will continue either on the same day or on a different day. The scores will be as they were when the game was stopped. If the end was started but all the required bowls have not been played, the end must be declared dead. If all the bowls have been played, then the total number of shots must be decided before the game is stopped.

Absentee Player(s)

In the event of a player(s) failing to arrive within a period of 30 minutes of the scheduled start time and having failed to make contact and there being no reported local traffic gridlock, they shall forfeit the match to their opponents, in the event of a player(s) failing to arrive within a period of 30 minutes of the scheduled start time but, having made contact, but are unable to attend on time due to exceptional circumstances/adverse traffic and/or weather conditions every effort should be made by all players to allow the match to be played irrespective of the start time, or to re-schedule within the specified round date.

Conceding a Match

If a team become aware that they are unable to play any future round, having previously used a substitute and in accordance with the substitution rules they must concede their next game to their opponents immediately.

If a player must leave the green due to illness or some other reasonable cause and they cannot return within 10 minutes a substitute can be introduced accordance with the substitution rules

Substitution Rules

If a team member is unable to continue to play due to any unforeseen circumstances, you may introduce a substitute.

The substitute must be someone who is not already playing in Tag Bowls.

Any questions or queries please speak to Karen Stow or the Competition Secretary, we are here to help, and we want the competitions to run smoothly and for you all to have an enjoyable experience. In the event of special problems or extenuating circumstances guidance must be sort by the Challenger from Karen Stow or the Competition Secretary immediately and certainly well before the “play by” date.  If a match has not been played by the due date, and the Challenger has not approached Karen Stow or the Competition Secretary, then the Challenger’s name will be removed from the competition, and the opponent will go through.

Be considerate, fair, have fun, enjoy and as always common sense should prevail.