RULES       

1.        That the league shall be called the Wigan & District Masonic  Bowling League and shall be open to all brethren of Lodges in the Wigan and District Group

2.        Each team will pay a subscription (currently £25.00) but determined at each A.G.M.. The subscription should be paid to the League Treasurer by June 1^st each year.

3.        The league shall be governed by a committee composed of :- President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary / Treasurer, and two representatives from each team, who shall be elected at the A.G.M.,   only one member shall vote.  Two auditors shall also be appointed.

4.         An emergency committee comprising the President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary / Treasurer, and other representatives (Lodge Bowling Secretary) shall be authorised to deal with special and emergency matters arising from time to time.    

5.        Vice Presidents are entitled to attend all meetings, without the power to vote.

6.        In the event of the voting at any meeting being equal, the chairman    shall have the power to give a casting vote.

7.        A team may play three members from another Lodge to complete their team. IF THE GUEST PLAYERS LODGE ALREADY HAVE A TEAM, THE CHANGE SHOULD BE AMICABLE.

7a.      Guest players must be registered with the secretary prior to the start of the season and must remain with that team for the complete season.  A form will be provided for this purpose.

8.         Teams entering the League must play home and away matches with each other during the season. All games must be 21 up. Seven points shall be awarded for each match, i.e. one for each individual game (5) and two for the team with the highest score. The team scoring most points in a season shall be considered Champions. In the event of a tie, a deciding game shall be played on a green to be appointed by the league.

9.        A trophy will be awarded to the champions of each division.    Prizes will be presented at a time and place decided mutually.

10       Champions and two other highest teams from Division 2 shall be promoted to Division 1.  The teams finishing in the bottom three places of Division 1 shall be relegated to Division 2.   In the event of a tie for promotion or relegation, a deciding game will be played on a green nominated by the league.

11.      In April, August and September all games should start at 6-45pm, with a scratch time of 7-30pm. At other times the games should start at 7pm with a scratch of 7-30pm

12.      The Lancashire County Amateur Bowling Association Rules shall be adopted.

13.      In the event of any team withdrawing from the league, their records will be expunged from the league.

14.      Secretaries must make every effort to play games on the specified evenings. Games should only be postponed for genuine Masonic reasons, (Own Lodge / Chapter or Provincial Lodge Meetings being the only acceptable exceptions.) If, despite all efforts a game as to be postponed, arrange for it to be played as soon as possible.  Do not leave it until the end of the season. Use the light nights.                 If a serious dispute arises, refer the matter back to the committee (Through the Secretary) for adjudication. The committee reserve the right to award the game 7- 0 if they deem it correct to do so.

15.      The area final shall take place in early June.  The exact date and venue to be decided at the appropriate A.G.M.  Four prizes will be given and donors are welcome.

16.      No player may play for more than one team on the same evening. This rule also applies to Lodges fielding two or more teams.

17.      If a game has to be re-arranged then it is expected that priority be given to the original fixtures scheduled for that evening. The re-arranged game should not commence until the original game is over or permission is given by the team captains involved.

18.      Alterations to these rules shall be considered only when given in writing to the league secretary at least one month prior to the A.G.M.

19.      Anything not provided for in these rules shall be dealt with as the emergency committee deems advisable.

L.W. Hart P. Pr. S.G.D.

Secretary / Treasurer   Tel.  01942  831413

February 2002