Inclement Weather
For all Bowls Dorset Championships, Competitions and Leagues, Inclement Weather is defined by Regulation 7.23. This provides:
7.23 Inclement weather shall mean the existence of rain or abnormal climatic conditions (whether they be those of hail, snow, cold, high wind, extreme high temperature or any combination thereof) by virtue of which it is either not reasonable or possible to play. Unusual situations not covered by these can arise and if so players, markers, umpires and officials shall use their common sense and a spirit of fair play to decide on the appropriate course of action.
This definition follows Bowls England's definition in Appendix F to Bowls England Regulations 50-70 (set out in full below).
All Bowls Dorset Championships
These are Singles, Two Bowl Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Senior Fours, Under 25 Singles and Under 25 Pairs. Bowls England Regulation 50.2.7 overrides Bowls Dorset's inclement weather provision for these Championships. The Regulation refers to Appendix F to Bowls England Regulations 50-70 (set out in full below), which provides that for Championships (including County Rounds) affected by Inclement Weather:
1. All matches are to be played to a finish as referred within the Laws of the Sport V4 – Game Stoppages (Law 33)
2. If it is not possible to conclude play on the day then the match must be completed prior to the next round taking place.
All Bowls Dorset Competitions
For 2024 these are June Culpin Memorial Trophy, Cobern Trophy, Lust Competition, Benevolent Triples, Under 16 Singles, Under 16 Open Pairs, County Cup, Secretaries Cup and Mixed County Fours. When affected by Inclement Weather, the following Bowls Dorset provisions apply:
7.24 In the event of a match not being completed in the preliminary rounds (before the quarter finals semi-finals or finals) due to inclement weather and on the authority of the Greenkeeper or other competent person:
(a) The aggregate score in uncompleted matches in which both sides (which includes players in singles) have played 15 or more ends will stand as the result. If the score is a tie then the winner will be the side who has won the most ends. If there is still a tie then the match will be decided by the toss of a coin.
(b) In matches not started and matches in which less than 15 ends have been played, an extension of time will be given. Any such match MUST be completed prior to the date of the following round and should if possible be on the same green commencing at the point of cessation with trial ends. The appropriate Competition Secretary, Assistant Competition Secretary or Area Competition Secretary, MUST be notified of the date on which the match is to be played. Should the game NOT be played by this time then the match WILL be decided by the toss of a coin or by mutual agreement.
All Bowls Dorset Leagues
These are the County League, the Dorset Women's Bowling League, the Percy Baker League and the Edna Paisley League. When affected by Inclement Weather, the following Bowls Dorset provisions apply:
County League
Prior to match commencing:
10.17 Where a match is due to be played when inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) or poor light may prevent its completion then prior to the start of the match one of the following may be agreed:
(a) The match shall comprise 15 ends with two trial ends.
(b) The match shall comprise 15 ends with no trial ends and one shot only to count on the first two ends.
In the absence of any agreement, the match shall be as defined in Regulation 10.16
After match has started:
10.27 Where a match is abandoned due to inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) then:
(a) If a minimum of 15 ends per rink have been completed, the match shall be deemed to have been played and the score shall stand.
(b) If less than 15 ends per rink have been completed, the match shall be resumed on a date agreed in accordance with 10.25 and 10.26, with the scores and where possible the players as they were when the game was originally stopped. The resumed match shall start with two trial ends prior to playing the remaining match ends.
(c) An end commenced but shots not agreed when the match is abandoned shall be declared a ‘dead end’.
Dorset Women's Bowling League
Prior to match commencing
11.18 Where a match is due to be played when inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) or poor light may prevent its completion then prior to the start of the match one of the following may be agreed:
(a) The match shall comprise 12 ends with two trial ends.
(b) The match shall comprise 12 ends with no trial ends and one shot only to count on the first two ends.
In the absence of any agreement, the match shall be as defined in Regulation 11.17.
After match has started
11.27 Where a match is abandoned due to inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) then:
(a) If a minimum of 12 ends per rink have been completed, the match shall be deemed to have been played and the score shall stand.
(b) If less than 12 ends per rink have been completed, the match shall be resumed on a date agreed in accordance with 11.25 and 11.26, with the scores and where possible the players as they were when the game was originally stopped. The resumed match shall start with two trial ends prior to playing the remaining match ends.
(c) An end commenced but shots not agreed when the match is abandoned shall be declared a ‘dead end’.
Percy Baker League
Prior to match commencing
12.18 Where a match is due to be played when inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) or poor light may prevent its completion then prior to the start of the match one of the following may be agreed:
(a) The match shall comprise 12 ends with two 2 bowl trial ends.
(b) The match shall comprise 12 ends with no trial ends and one shot only to count on the first two ends.
In the absence of any agreement, the match shall be as defined in Regulation 12.17.
After match has started
12.29 Where a match is abandoned due to inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) then:
(a) If a minimum of 12 ends per triple have been completed, the match shall be deemed to have been played and the score shall stand.
(b) If less than 12 ends per triple have been completed, the match shall be resumed on a date agreed in accordance with 12.27 and 12.28 above, with the scores and where possible the players as they were when the game was originally stopped. The resumed match shall start with two trial ends prior to playing the remaining match ends.
(c) An end commenced but shots not agreed when the match is abandoned shall be declared a ‘dead end’.
Edna Paisley League
Prior to match commencing
13.18 Where a match is due to be played when inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) or poor light may prevent its completion then prior to the start of the match one of the following may be agreed:
(a) The match shall comprise 12 ends with two 2 bowl trial ends.
(b) The match shall comprise 12 ends with no trial ends and one shot only to count on the first two ends.
In the absence of any agreement, the match shall be as defined in Regulation 13.17.
After match has started
13.28 Where a match is abandoned due to inclement weather (as defined in Regulation 7.23) then:
(a) If a minimum of 12 ends per triple have been completed, the match shall be deemed to have been played and the score shall stand.
(b) If less than 12 ends per triple have been completed, the match shall be resumed on a date agreed in accordance with 13.26 and 13.27 above, with the scores and where possible the players as they were when the game was originally stopped. The resumed match shall start with two trial ends prior to playing the remaining match ends.
(c) An end commenced but shots not agreed when the match is abandoned shall be declared a ‘dead end’.
All Bowls England National Competitions
National Competitions are those entered directly with Bowls England. When affected by inclement weather, the following Bowls England provisions of Appendix F to Bowls England Regulations 50-70 apply (note this is incorrectly printed by Bowls England as Appendix J):
