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The Competition is from June to August 2018

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Bowls England Rules for the Johns Trophy

General

The Johns Trophy is a National Cup Competition run by Bowls England and is open to all County associations which are members of Bowls England.

All entrants are placed in geographical groups, which will remain the same, but the composition of the sections will be determined by a draw made every second year.

The competition is divided into two stages – the Group Stages and the Final Stages. In the Group Stages each county shall play one match each year against each other County in their section, home and away alternate years or at a neutral venue for both years.

The winners of each group will qualify for the quarter-finals with this game taking place on a nuetral venue. The winners of those ties will qualify for the Final stages being played on the first Saturday of the National Championships at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa.

Rules

1. This competition shall be open to all County Associations who are Members of Bowls England.

2. All Counties will be assumed to have entered unless they otherwise notify Bowls England before the completion of the previous year’s competition.

3. The entrants shall be placed in geographical groups, which will remain the same, but the composition of the sections will be determined by a draw made every second year.

4. The competition shall be divided into two stages – the Group Stages and the Final Stages. In the Group Stages each county shall play one match each year against each other County in their section, home and away alternate years or at a neutral venue for both years. Matches will start at 1.30pm unless mutually agreed.

5. Every County shall be represented by a side consisting of six rinks of four players, all of whom shall be members of an affiliated club to their County Association. No player shall play for more than one County in any one year.

6. Failure to field 24 players will result in a walkover and 22 points will be awarded to the opposing team. Where a county refused to fulfil the fixture the following penalty will apply; 22 points will be awarded to the non-defaulting team and the defaulting team will be excluded from entering the Johns Trophy and the Walker Cup the following year.

7. Group Stages

7.1 The match will consist of 21 ends. Before the start of the match, the nominated managers will toss a coin for choice of jack (first end), the winner having the choice of keeping or giving the jack away. In each match a win for an individual rink shall be awarded two points and a tie one point. The county that wins by total number of shots of all six rinks shall, in addition, be awarded 10 points. In the event of a tie on shots, each county shall be awarded five points each.

7.2 The county gaining the greatest number of points in each section shall be declared the winner of that section. Should two counties be equal in points and also in shot difference then the winner will be ascertained on the result of the match already played between the two counties.

7.3 In the group stages, should a match end as a tie (both shots and points) after 21 ends then an extra end or ends will be played by all six rinks simultaneously until there is a winner. The Team Managers must toss for jack before the start of the extra end. The total number of shots on all six rinks will count on the extra end and the winning team reported to Bowls England. The extra end will not form part of the score within the group stages, but will ONLY be used to separate the two counties if they are level at the conclusion of the group stages after points and shots difference have been taken into account.

7.4 When it is not mathematically possible to win by playing a scheduled tie and subject to this being ratified by Bowls England, such a tie may be cancelled. The Counties concerned must be in mutual agreement and would each be responsible for the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the venue booked.

8. Result of Match The result will be submitted to Bowls England immediately using one of the approved notification methods.

9. Bowls Stickers Counties will provide bowls stickers for the Group Stages and Quarter-Finals unless provided by the sponsor.

10. Inclement weather See Appendix J

11. Final Stages

11.1 The Quarter-Finals shall be played on a knockout basis at a time set by Bowls England. These will be played between the winners of the two sections in each geographical group. The two counties concerned will be responsible for arranging an umpire and a neutral venue midway between the two counties. If green fees are payable these will be shared by both counties. Before the start of the match, the nominated managers will toss a coin for the choice of jack (first end), the winner having the choice of keeping or giving the jack away. Then a further toss of a coin for choice of jack (extra end) should one be needed. The winner has the option to make the choice immediately after the 21st end has been played. The winner will be decided on the total number of shots of all rinks. There are no points for individual rink wins. In the event of a tie after 21 ends then an extra end or ends will be played by all six rinks simultaneously until there is a winner. The total number of shots on all six rinks will count on the extra end. The Semi-Finals and the Final shall be played on a knockout basis at a time set by Bowls England. The draws for the Semi-Finals and Final shall be made by Bowls England on greens appointed by them. Before the start of the match, the nominated managers will toss a coin for choice of jack (first end), the winner having the choice of keeping or giving the jack away. Then a further toss of a coin for choice of jack (extra end) should one be needed. The winner has the option to make the choice immediately after the 21st end has been played. The winner will be decided on the total number of shots of all rinks. There are no points for individual rink wins. In the event of a tie after 21 ends then an extra end or ends will be played by all six rinks simultaneously until there is a winner. The total number of shots of all six rinks will count on the extra end.

11.2 Each County qualifying for the Semi-Final stage will supply to Bowls England the names of six rinks and four reserves no later than the Monday of Week 30. The Semi-Final and Final shall be played during the National Championships.

11.3 Bowls England will provide bowls stickers for the Semi-Finals and Final.

11.4 The Winner and Runner-Up respectively shall receive a maximum of 28 Winners/Runners-Up medals presented at the Annual Dinner.