The Club Committee was asked a question about ‘rules’ relating to domestic club competitions; in particular the ‘rules’ about handicapping. John Smith kindly delved into his archive material to provide some answers. In addition to the guidance below perhaps it needs to be emphasised that there is no practice time prior to Club Competitions.
To Summarise:-
Men’s, Ladies’, and Bluebell Trophy are handicapped. The Leasgill Trophy is not handicapped. Jubilee Shield – there will be no handicapping in this competition; however it is proposed that players are drawn from two pots, (strong players in one and less strong in the other) with the intention of avoiding two strong players being drawn together or conversely two weaker players coming out of the hat. The Club Captain to exercise discretion to make the allocations and draw.
Players who play regularly in and are regarded as Kendal A and/or Seniors A players to play off scratch. Players who play regularly in and are regarded as Kendal B, Seniors B and Rural league players to play off +3. Non team players to play off +6. New bowlers/Juniors to play off +9. The Club Captain is to have discretion to decide individual handicaps and to produce a notice to be posted on the Club notice board showing members’ handicaps prior to the first competition.
Round Robin Competitions – It was suggested that pairs should be drawn following a similar system to the Jubilee Shield. No decision was taken by the Committee. . . The basic intention is to make competitions more enjoyable for all members.
This system of handicaps remains in place.
The 5 main Club Competitions are generally run by and the responsibility of the then Club Captain or someone delegated if the Club Captain is not available. Matches are played to 21 up but the Club Captain/organiser has generally taken the number of entries into account and will/has exercised discretion on the day in deciding whether to put say +3 or even +5 on the card. Generally first round matches are played off ‘scratch’ but again the Club Captain might decide to start with a plus score if the/she thinks the competition will take too long to complete and will sometimes decide to start with ‘something on the card.’. They have sometimes exercised discretion as regards handicaps too.
Byes: The number entries determine the number of byes, if any. So say 23 entries the number of byes = 32 – 23 = 9 byes and 23 entries less 9 byes = 14 playing in a preliminary round to give 7 winners which with the 9 byes brings you to down to 16. If the number of entries is less than 16 say 13 entries number of byes = 16 -13 entries = 3 byes.- 10 people or pairs then play to produce 5 winners to go with 3 byes = 8 going forward.
The draw is best made in the clubhouse on the day so that it can be witnessed being made by members who are present. It is important for the Trophy competitions that entrants are ready to play at the stated start time. If the start time is 1.30pm the draw should be made 1.15pm latest otherwise valuable time can be lost.