There are a number of key changes to the rulebook this year, especially concerning the postponement of games and fees for playing. See the Rules: Changes article for a summary of the updates. Updates to the rules from the previous season are highlighted in red.
Rule 13: Knock-Out Cup Rules
13 a) These games may start before and continue throughout the season. Teams must 'opt in' to this competition. These teams all go into a random draw and therefore any team from any division can be drawn to play against each other.
13 b) Teams will be ranked for the first round by their finishing order from the previous year.
13 c) The main difference with this competition is the method of scoring: Teams play in the same manner as for a league game, the game is won or lost purely on the overall pin fall and the winning team will then progress to the next round of the competition.
13 d) The final will be played on a neutral skittle alley.
Rule 14: Nomination Cup Rules
14a) These games may start before and continue throughout the season. Teams must 'opt in' to this competition. These teams all go into a random draw and therefore any team from any division can be drawn against each other.
14b) Teams will be ranked for the first round by their finishing order from the previous year.
14c) The main difference with this competition is the method of scoring
14d) The player must nominate a pin they intend to hit with each ball.
14e) The nominated pin must be struck first and if this happens, all other pins that are knocked down at the same time will stay down and count.
14f) If the nominated pin is not struck first, all pins that are knocked down must stay down but are not counted.
14g) If a player gets a 'spare', only the pins legally knocked down are to be repositioned onto their original spots and the player again must nominate a pin which they intend to strike.
14h) The game is either won or lost based on the overall pinfall and the winning team will then progress to the next round of the competition.
14i) The final will be played on a neutral skittle alley.
Rule 15: Double Exit Cup Rules
15 a) These games only begin following completion of round two in both the Knockout and Nomination competitions. This competition also continues throughout the season.
Only those teams that have played and lose in the 1st round, or the round of 32 of the other two cups can be entered into this competition. Conceding a game does not gain qualification.
Those teams all go into a random draw, and therefore, any team from any division can be drawn to play against each other.
15 b) Teams will be ranked for the first round by their finishing order from the previous year. The winner of game one will be team one in the next round of the competition.
15 c) The main difference with this competition is the scoring method: Teams play in the same manner as for a league game, but is won or lost based purely on the overall pin-fall and the winning team will then progress to the next round of the competition.
15d) The final will be played on a neutral skittle alley.
Rule 16: Rules for resolving Drawn Games in Cup Competitions
16 a) Should any cup game (up to the semi-final stage) end in a draw, then a replay will take place on the alley of the team originally drawn to play 'away'.
16 b) Should the replayed game also end in a draw, then all nine players from each team will be required to bowl a further three balls until a positive result is reached.
16 c) All replays should be played within 14 days of the original games if possible, but must certainly before the next round of that cup competition.
16 d) If the semi-final and final games end in a draw, then all nine players from each team will immediately be required to bowl a further three balls until a positive result is reached.
Rule 17: Rules for end of season competitions
17 a) The names of participants for all end of season competitions should be forwarded to the Fixture Secretary by the date specified on the entry form.
17 b) Only the players who play in round one will be allowed to play in each competition, so should one have to drop out, the place in that competition will be forfeited and the pre-paid fee will not be refunded.