LEAGUE RULES 2026

1) The League is open to all clubs in the Tendring & District area who have paid their subscription fee to
THDLBL by the AGM. All players must be registered with E.C.W.B.A. Should an unregistered member
play in the league a penalty of 4 points deduction shall be issued for each unregistered player.

2) League fixtures are played under THDLBL Rules in accordance with Bowls England, ECWBA and
THDBA league Rules.

3) Dress for all games shall be either club shirt, white trousers (NOT JEANS), cropped trousers, skirts or
Bowls England approved shorts. Or Club shirt, coloured trousers (NOT JEANS), cropped trousers, skirts or Bowls England approved shorts. Clubs may wear their own branded shorts providing they conform to Bowls England uniform regulations. Teams will all be dressed the same.  
Regulation bowls shoes. NO SANDALS except with a doctor’s letter.

4) The League shall consist of two Divisions, namely Division ‘1’ and Division ‘2’. These Divisions will
consist as far as possible of equal numbers of teams in each Division made up from all registered
clubs. Each match shall consist of 18 ends with two rinks (i.e. 3 players per rink) playing three woods each. Two points will be awarded per rink for a win. Two bonus points will be awarded for an overall win.
One point for any drawn rink. Skips to keep the scorecards. The captain of the visiting club shall determine which players oppose each other by covering the home score cards with her own.
Each team will play every other team in its division both home and away on the dates as per the
playing schedule issued in November by the League Secretary. Playing time to be arranged by the
Match Secretaries. The winners of each Division will be the team to score the most points during the season. Should there be a draw on points shot difference will count. Should there still be a draw a play off on finals day will occur.

5) At the end of the season the two top teams from Division ‘2’ will be promoted to Division ‘1’ and the
bottom two teams from Division ‘1’ will be relegated to Division ‘2’.

6) Any club failing to put out both rinks will forfeit 10 shots and 2 points to their opponents (these
should not be put on the scorecard the League Secretary will add them when doing the result sheet).

7) Clubs can play one rink and get the points for that rink. Games cannot be re-arranged just because
you have not enough ladies available. Points will be given to the team you should have played.

8) Dates must not be altered except for –
a) Dates clashing with County Games (i.e. Top Club, Albert Crabb, Ben Triples) the Clacton
Air show or if your club is hosting a match or function on that day that involves catering
or the use of the green.
b) Exceptional weather preventing play (thunder/lightening/flooding or excessive heat). It is
up to the clubs to decide whether to play or not. In the case of a game (already started)
being abandoned due to the weather the following will apply: – If less than 12 ends have
been completed the match should be re-arranged on the same green with the same
teams within 14 days (if possible) unless this is the last match of the league and the
points are not an issue. The game should start as a fresh match with trial ends. If more
than 12 ends have been completed the score will stand and normal league points apply.
c) The League Secretary should be notified of any match which has to be re-arranged. Any
re-arranged match must be by mutual consent of both clubs and must be played within
14 days of the booked date and the new date must be notified to the League Secretary
prior to play. Failure by any club to play any game on the booked date (except for the
reasons above I. & II.) shall result in the maximum points being awarded to the club
which has not cancelled/conceded the game.

9) Illness/injury
If a team member is taken ill or injured during a match and has to leave the green the following will
apply:
ii) If a reserve is available, she will step in. This can be a player from the friendly rink. In the case of
a skip the number two assumes the skips position and the reserve can play in any other position.
iii) If no reserve is available and 12 or more ends have been played the score will stand.
iv) If no reserve is available and less than 12 ends have been played that rink must be re-arranged
and played on a different day on the same rink and the same venue with the same players
where possible within 14 days. League Secretary to be notified of new play date before fixture is
played. Once the re-arranged rink has played the totals of both rinks for that fixture will be
added together giving a total result for that fixture. You cannot concede one rink. No player
from the completed rink should play in the re-arranged rink.

10) A copy of the result card should be emailed by the home club to the League Secretary. Scorecards
and cards must be kept for the season in case of query.

11) New Format 2026.
By 1st April, each Club Secretary will forward to the THL League Secretary a list of all full playing lady
members eligible to play in the THL League. This will constitute THL League registration.
All registered lady club members can play in the THL league. Players can be selected to play in any
team or division with the following restrictions.
Club that has only one team throughout the league, any player can play at any time, no restrictions
apply. Club that has two teams in one division any player can be selected to play in either team with the
restriction that once a player has played 4 games in one team, that player must remain in that team
for the rest of the season and cannot play in another team in that division.
Club that has one team in division one and one team in division two, once a player has played in a
team 4 times they must remain in that team and division for the rest of the season. There will be no
swopping between divisions.
Club that has two teams in division one and one team in division two, or vice versa, players can be
selected for either division with the restriction that once the player has played in 4 games they must
remain in that team and that division for the remainder of the season. It is not permitted to swop
between divisions or teams.

12) Withdrawing or entering a team
Should any club wish to withdraw their team from the league notice via email must be given to the
League Secretary 14 days before the AGM. Should a club withdraw during the season the
remaining clubs that have not played the withdrawing club shall receive 3 points and 10 shots.
If only one game has been played at withdrawal date that result will be void.
Should any club wish to enter another team notice via email must be given to the League Secretary
14 days before the AGM. This request will be voted on at the AGM and the new team will
automatically go in Division ‘2’

13) THDBA Windsor League
The ladies are now entering the above league from 2024.
This is a mixed triples league and ladies can be selected for A, B or C teams.
Format can be teams of either all men, all ladies or a mixture of both men & ladies.
Clubs will display fixtures on their notice boards and both men and ladies can put their names
forward to play. Selection will be made by each club.

14) The Windsor League (Playing 3 triples on the same green)
Normal days for playing Windsor League Matches – Tuesday –starting at 2.00pm.
Each rink game shall consist of 18 ends. 2 points for each winning triple and 2 points for the highest
total shots overall. In the event of a tie, points to be shared.
This league is run by THDBA and played under their rules which are displayed in the THDBA
handbook and their website.

Tendring Hundred & District Bowling Association website, where you will find the ladies section for
league and competition, can be located: www.tendringbowls.website.

Rules and regulations for TH Ladies competitions are printed in the THL competition handbook.

Revised Nov. 2025