Club Competitions

General Entry Criteria

  • Entry into internal and SML knock out competitions is for full members only.
  • If a full member has membership at more than one club, they may only enter FPBC competitions if they declare FPBC is their ‘primary’ club. (Middx. Ruling).
  • For all existing and new full club members. Regarding internal and SML KO competitions, there is an expectation they will additionally offer themselves (sign up) for selection for inter club matches.
  • Members may enter only if they are available to play on ‘Finals Day’ Saturday 5th September for the main competitions and Thursday 3rd September for Two Woods, Sets and 75 Up.
  • Laurie Cup. This is a competition for ‘novice’ bowlers, i.e. those who are new to the game and have not played in any previous recognised bowls competitions. Can include players with a handicap of 5.
  • Ladies and Mens Solace. This is for any full member who did not win a singles ‘honours board’ competition in the previous year nor won a competition at another club. This does not rule out the Laurie Cup winner who may enter the following year.
  • Honours board drawn pairs. Players will be seeded into two halves A and B. Draw picks one from each group to create a pair.
  • There will be no differentiation regarding how pairs are drawn for ‘social’ drawn pairs comps. These will be wholly random draws. If a sub is later required then a new partner is selected from the reserve list.
  • The draws for each competition will be posted on the Notice Board by the disabled toilet.
  • Some players may receive a ‘bye’ for the first round to even out the numbers.
  • All games will need to be played within the “Play By” date for each round. Any exceptions to be agreed with Colin.
  • Each player has equal responsibility for the scheduling of a game by the ‘play by’ date and where appropriate the provision of a marker.
  • When a game has been arranged to play, it is important to book the date, time and rink number in the FPBC Rink booking folder which is situated next to the bar area.
  • All completed score cards should be placed into the box adjacent to the league fixtures notice board.

Individual Competitions

Mens Singles and Ladies Singles

One game with no handicap. It is played with 4 woods and the winner is the first person to reach 21 points.

Mens Solace and Ladies Solace

One game to 21 points played with 4 woods – however this is handicapped as detailed below.

Presidents Trophy

This is a singles game to 21 points played with 4 woods open to men and ladies – handicapped as detailed below.

Pairs Competition

The game is 18 ends 4 woods each with no handicap.

Sets Competition

This is played in two sets of 7 ends. The winner of each set gets one point, and if the set is drawn each player gets ½ point. If after playing two sets the score is a draw then a three end play off takes place with one point available for each end. The semi finals and final will be played over nine ends per set. There is no handicap.

2 Woods

Each player only plays with 2 woods, and it is played over 21 ends. In the event of a draw, play one more deciding end (toss a coin to decide who has the mat).

75 UP

Each end there are 10 points available – the bowl nearest to the jack scores four points, followed by three, two and one point for the next three nearest bowls. The player with the bowl nearest to the jack will have the mat on the next end. The first player to score 75 points after the end is completed is the winner. At 75 all extra ends are played until there is a clear winner. There is no handicap.

Laurie Cup

Played with 4 woods, first to 21 points, no handicap. The initial games are usually played on a ‘round robin’ basis. An ideal way to gain match play experience.

Handicap Criteria

  • Only three competitions carry a handicap, Ladies and Mens Solace and Presidents Cup.
  • No handicapping in the 2 woods.
  • We will adopt from 2026 a ‘differential’ method where the start number is dependent on the difference between the handicap of both players. The objective remains that the winner will be the first to score 21 points. E.G. If both players have a handicap of 5 (no differentiation) , they will begin on 0 and need to reach 21. If player ‘a’ is off 3 and player ‘b’ is off 4, player ‘a’ will start on 0 and player ‘b’ will start on 1.

Determining Handicaps

  • Trophy wins for the lower handicaps (0,1,&2) count for a period of 3 years.
  • These refer to those trophies on the main honours board.
  • The Laurie Cup is for players who are novices and new to bowls and are not included, neither are the Drawn Pairs or U3A trophies.
  • Handicaps are:
    • 0 – For players who have won multiple singles trophies in a single year.
    • 1 – For players who are regular winners of single trophies.
    • 2 – On the honours board at least once for winning a singles trophy, or consistent players who regularly skip in SML matches or friendlies.
    • 3 – For players who have reached the finals of singles trophies, or who are generally regarded as being of a standard to skip teams in SML matches or friendlies.
    • 4 – Laurie Cup, U3A and Drawn Pairs winners or finalists.
    • 5 – Members who do not satisfy any of the above criteria or who are new to the game.
  • For any player who sits in more than one category, they will adopt the lower handicap

Winners 2025

Men’s SinglesJohn Reeves
Ladies SinglesRachael Shaw
Men’s SolaceMick Budd
Ladies SolaceJanet Mock
President’s TrophyJohn Reeves
Laurie CupRachael Shaw
2 WoodsAndy Rogers
75 UpLinda Hickman
SetsCaroline Mullett
Drawn PairsHilary Nailard & Colin Anderson

Winners in 2024

Men’s SinglesTony Peaty
Ladies SinglesJackie Peaty
Men’s SolaceTony Peaty
Ladies SolaceCaroline Mullett
President’s CupTony Peaty
Laurie CupAndy Rogers
2 WoodsJohn Reeves
75 UpGeorge Dale
SetsJohn Reeves
Drawn PairsPam Nolan & Dave Upton

Winners in 2023

2 WoodsJohn Reeves
75 UpJohn Reeves
SetsJackie Peaty
Men’s SinglesJohn Reeves
Ladies SinglesSue Rogers
Drawn PairsPam Nolan & Dave Upton
Men’s SolaceColin Anderson
Ladies SolacePam Thompson
President’s CupColin Anderson
Laurie CupRobert Hills

Winners in 2022

2 WoodsMick Mullett
75 UpJohn Reeves
SetsJohn Reeves
Men’s SinglesJohn Reeves
Ladies SinglesJackie Peaty
Drawn PairsJohn Reeves & Sue Rogers
Men’s SolaceMick Mullett
Ladies SolaceCaroline Mullett
President’s CupJohn Reeves
Laurie CupSue Rogers