Notes for all competitors

K.C.B.A. MENS COMPETITIONS 2026

NOTES FOR ALL COMPETITORS - PLEASE READ

Firstly, a reminder that, with the exception of the Unbadged Singles, all the competitions listed are National (Bowls England) competitions with the eventual winners & runners-up from our county qualifying to play at Leamington in the National Finals held between the 12th & 30th of August 2026.

COMPETITORS RESPONSIBILITIES

Only players who are affiliated to K.C.B.A. & B.E. can participate in these competitions.

It is the responsibility of the named entrant to ensure that both he & any playing partners are fully aware of the rules of the competitions & the specific Competition Bye Laws as shown on the K.C.B.A. website – kentbowls.com

All competitors should ensure they are available to play in all rounds right up to the final.

COMPETITION FORMATS

The formats of the various competitions remain as :-

Singles & Unbadged Singles (21 shots), Pairs (4 bowls each, 18 ends), Triples (3 bowls each, 18 ends), Fours & Senior (O/55) Fours (2 bowls each, 18 ends), Two Wood Singles (21 ends).

With the exception of the Two Wood Singles all competitions, up to & including the Divisional Finals, will be played on set evenings each week with start times being 6.00 p.m. although an earlier start and / or date is permissible but only if mutually agreed with your opponent.

DATES UP TO THE DIVISIONAL FINALS

Singles – Mondays - 25th May through to Divisional Final on 29th June at Woodcroft.

Pairs – Tuesdays - 26th May through to Divisional Final on 30th June at B&G.

Triples – Wednesdays - 3rd June through to Divisional Final on 1st July at West Wickham.

Fours – Thursdays - 11th June through to Divisional Final on 2nd July at HSBC.

Unbadged Singles – Fridays - 29th May through to Divisional Final on 3rd July at Bromley.

Senior (Over 55) Fours – Tuesday evenings (plus one Friday) commencing on 7th July through to the Divisional Final played on 28th July on a neutral green.

Two Wood Day - Sunday 31st May.

Due to the number of entries this competition will, again, have to be played off on two greens – Bromley BC & West Wickham BC. The draw showing which club you have been drawn to play at is shown on the KCBA website. The aim remains to play down to a winner at both venues on the day with the Divisional Final then taking place on Friday 3rd July.

COMPETITORS REGISTER / CONTACT LIST

This is accessed via the county website by clicking on “2026 Competitions”, “Division 1” & then using the appropriate ‘drop down’ box. If any competitor finds a discrepancy in the details shown they should inform the Divisional Secretary or Competition Steward ASAP.

SCORECARDS

No official scorecards are sent to players so it is expected that you use the information shown on the K.C.B.A. website to ascertain the date, venue & opponent for your first and all subsequent matches using the file entitled “Dates, Venues, Stewards etc”. If in any doubt contact either your own club secretary, Competition Steward or Divisional Secretary.

Competitors should provide & complete their own scorecard which MUST contain the names of all players and should be signed by your opponent at the end of the game.

RESULTS

It is very important that you notify the relevant Competition Steward of your result, by phone, text or email ASAP after your game. This should be before 10.30 p.m. on the night or, at the very latest, by 10.00 a.m. the following morning.

In team games (Pairs, Triples & Fours) the cards (or a photographed / scanned copy) must also be sent to the Competition Steward as soon as possible after each game OR, at the very least, the names of everybody who played. This is extremely important & is to allow checks to be made on the eligibility of every player taking part. In both of the singles competitions sending a copy of your card is not necessary but it is still advisable to get your opponent to sign it, just in case of any dispute.

Winners will be responsible for finding out who & where they are playing the following week by referring to the K.C.B.A. website but if in any doubt contact the Competition Steward or Divisional Secretary.

NOTE - Prompt return of your results / scorecards greatly assists our aim to update the draw sheets on the website daily so PLEASE ensure you submit them ASAP !

COMPETITION STEWARDS

The list showing all the Competition Stewards contact details is accessible via the K.C.B.A. website (kentbowls.com) by clicking on “Competitions” then “Division 1” then finally using the ‘drop down’ box to “Dates. Venues, Stewards etc”.

COUNTY QUARTER FINALS, SEMI FINALS & FINALS DAYS

Looking beyond the Divisional Finals stage, for those who are lucky enough to qualify, the later stages will take place as follows :-

Over 55 Fours Semi Final & Final on Saturday 1st August @ Peninsula BC

Cox Cup Semi Final & Final on Sunday 9th August @ Tonbridge BC

County Quarter & Semi Finals :-

Sunday 18th July – All Singles competitions @ Maidstone BC

Saturday 19th July – Pairs @ Sandwich BC.

Saturday 25th July – Triples @ West Wickham BC

Sunday 26th July - Fours @ Empire BC

County Finals Day will be on Sunday 2nd August @ Horton Kirby BC.

Wishing you all the best in whatever competitions you enter.

Ian Way

 Hon. K.C.B.A. Division 1 Secretary