Four 6-Man teams caught in new rule quandry

Veterans League

Four 6-Man League teams are showing 'No Player' in their Bowlsnet Fixtures results page and a score of 0-21 lodged against them. At first glance it appears that four teams from the 6-Man League have breached the new rule around player eligibility in the final three matches of the League season. As a result they have all been penalised with amended game scores of 0-21.

That isn't the full story, as at least one club is believed to have been aware prior to its game that a bowler was ineligible, and although the games were played no score was entered on Bowlsnet. The results have been input with 'No Player' against their opposing teams, but two other bowlers appear to have bowled when they had not bowled three times for any of their club sides.

Two of those four teams were seemingly aware of the shortfall in matches played but the games went ahead to ensure their opponents got a game to play in. Regardless of all that, the outcome is the same, with a game result recorded of 0-21. In 3 of the 4 breaches, those penalised teams lost the matches involved. Embarrassingly, in two of those matches, League Officials played for the penalised teams.

The four teams being: Waterloo (Division 1 v Netherton Con A) this being the one match of the four involved where the team went on to win the match despite the 0-21 penalty being enforced. Paddock I&C (Division 2 v Brockholes B) This has now been amended to a genuine record of only nine players in the Paddock team. Almondbury Lib (Division 2 v Milnsbridge B) Lost match 1-6 (aggregate 59-98) Thongsbridge C (Division 4 v Holmfirth B) Lost match 1-6 (aggregate 54-101)

This rule (11h) was introduced for this season and copies circulated to all teams at the start of the season and regular reminders have appeared on the League's own Bowlsnet front page website as the period when this rule came into play has neared.

This rule states that: Players in the 6-man league may not play in a team’s final three league matches unless they have played in three or more 6-man league matches. 

A copy of the full ruling is below: New Rule 11h) in full from the League Matches section of the League's Rules & Bye-Laws states: Players in the 6-man league may not play in a team’s final three league matches unless they have played in three or more 6-man league matches at that point in the season. League matches for any of their club’s 6-man teams count towards the total. Any infringement of this rule will result in a loss of 0-21. Dispensation from this rule may be considered if there are extenuating circumstances, typically due to a long period of absence through injury/illness. Dispensation must be gained from the Competition or League Secretary in advance.

10-Man League teams be aware!! There is also a new but different player eligibility rule for the 10-Man League for the last 3 matches of the season, which comes into play from next week. This is known as the 50% Rule and this is what it covers.

11g) For the final three 10-man league matches of the season, the captains of ‘B’ Teams in Divisions 3 and below cannot make use of players who have played the majority of their league games for a Div 1 or 2 ‘A’ Team. Captains should check Bowlsnet to ensure selected players have played at least 50% of their league games to date for the ‘B’ Team. For example, a player who has played in a total of seven 10-man league matches must have played four of more of these for the ‘B’ team. Any infringement of this rule will result in a loss of 0-21. Dispensation may be given by the League Secretary in exceptional circumstances, typically for players returning to bowling following a sustained period of illness. Dispensation must be gained in advance as it will not be given retrospectively.