Hover over the main heading "Club Competitions" and then click any of the three floating headers that appear to review the current status of the Men's, Ladies' or Mixed Competitions. The results are updated at least weekly on this website but the most up to date status may be checked on the clubhouse noticeboards.
Thanet Bowls Club Internal Competition Rules
This is a reminder of the rules for the various competitions for those who have played before, and an explanation for anyone who is new to competitions or new to our club.
General
The laws of bowls will apply to all competitions, and these can be found on the club website. Anyone who is uncertain of any rule should ask Dave Golley, who is a National Umpire, or any of the senior players.
All members are entitled to enter any competition for which they are eligible. Entries are made in March and April with a published deadline, and entry fees are payable. The draw for the competitions will be made in the clubhouse using a random method.
Remember that all singles games need a marker, so if you have entered any competitions please be willing to mark when you can.
Championship men and women.
These games are played with 4 woods and the first person to 21 is the winner. There is no limit on the time or limit on the number of ends played. The competition is a knockout with the final played on Finals Weekend in September. The men’s champion then plays the women’s champion for the title of Champion of Champions.
Pairs men and women.
Each player has 4 woods. These games are played over 18 ends with an extra end if necessary to decide the winner. The final is played on Finals Weekend in September.
Never won singles
This is a singles competition with 4 woods each. The winner is the first to 21. This competition is open to any member who has not so far won a singles competition at Thanet Bowls Club. The final is played on Finals Weekend in September.
Handicap- mixed
This is a singles competition with 4 woods each. Each player who enters this competition receives a handicap based on previous performance mainly over the last two years. The handicaps are assigned by the Competition Secretary, and his\her decision is final. The player with the higher handicap adds the difference between the handicaps to 21 to get their target score. The player with the lower handicap has to get to 21 to win. For example, if player A has a handicap of 2 and player B has a handicap of 5, then player B must get to 24 to win (21+3) and player A just needs to get to 21. The final is played on Finals Weekend in September.
100 up mixed.
This is a singles competition with 4 woods each. On each end 4 points are awarded to the shot wood, then 3 for second, 2 for third and 1 for fourth, so 10 points are scored on each end. The scoreboard should always add up to a multiple of 10*. The first player to reach 100 is the winner. The final is played on Finals Weekend in September.
It can happen that both players are close to 100 after 19 ends. The 20th end must be fully scored before the result is declared. If both players then have 100 points an extra end must be played and scored under “100 up” rules. Extra ends continue until a winner is established.
*There are two possible exceptions to the sum being a multiple of 10. The first is if 5 or more woods go in the ditch so less than 4 bowls actually score. The second is if two bowls are tied for shot or any other position. In this case, to avoid half points, both bowls score the appropriate number of points. For example, say the shot wood is clear but two bowls are tied for second wood. Then the points on that end will be 4,3,3,1. This will add 1 to the overall total so the scoreboard will no longer add up to a multiple of 10.
Yard of the jack
This is a singles competition with 4 woods each played over 18 ends. The final is played on Finals Weekend in September. All bowls score one point if they are within 1 yard of the jack when all bowls have been delivered. The jack does not move and must be marked by a coin or token each time and returned to its original position if disturbed by a bowl. Scoring woods can be determined using a measuring stick-there are some in the shed- or by using a pre-marked tape. In the event of a bowl disturbing the jack and resting on the coin, the jack should be replaced as near to the coin as possible in line with the mat and in the direction of the mat. When measuring, the bowl on the jack is removed (and counts) and the jack is replaced on the coin before measuring the other woods. Note that no chalk is used in this game as bowls in the ditch can never score.
There are 4 competitions which are played on a single day or over a weekend.
Memorial Trophy
This competition is a singles competition with 3 woods each. It is played over a weekend at the end of April. The first day is played as a group event- if you win your group you proceed to the next day. On the second day, the competition is a knockout, starting with 16 people and reducing to a single winner.
Two Woods
This is played on a single day at the end of June and is a straight knockout. Each player has 2 woods. Games last 16 ends or until one player can no longer catch up. The winner is established on the day.
Open Pairs
Each player has 3 woods. This is played on a single day down to two pairs who play the final on Finals Weekend in September. Pairs play a number of games against different opponents. Each game is a fixed number of ends. The 4 pairs with the best records play in the semi-final at the end of the day.
Open Triples
Each player has 3 woods. Each team plays a number of games against different opponents. Each game is a fixed number of ends. The 4 teams with the best records play a semi-final at the end of the day. The final is played on Finals Weekend is September.
Peter Carey Competition Secretary 2026