Paulton & District Skittle League
Season 2025 – 2026
>> Rules <<
Amendments highlighted in Red
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Special Rule 1 – Entry Forms & Fees
All re-entry forms must be returned to the League Manager/General Secretary by date announced at AGM. League Fees of £100 to to be paid by all teams by the first meeting in September. This will cover all league & cup fees, score books and charity levy for the season. Nominated Charity donation will be 15% of league fees. If teams haven’t paid their League Fees by a final date set by the Treasurer, they could be deducted points or expelled from the league.
(If any team resigns from the league during the season their league fees will not be refunded)
Special Rule 2 - AGM
Any and all proposals or members wanting to be elected on to the board or committee must be sent in writing or emailed to the League Manager at least one week prior to the AGM. The committee will then discuss the proposals and accept or reject them. Only accepted proposals will be put to the members to be voted on.
Special Rule 3 - Behaviour
Anyone acting in a violent, abusive or anti-social manner at a skittle match, league meeting or function, will be dealt with by the Management Committee, who will determine what action to take.
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>> General Rules 2025 – 2026 <<
1. The League Management Committee. To consist of a duly elected President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, League Manager, Treasurer, Results Coordinator and one or more representatives from teams in the league.
2. Headquarters. No particular place to be named as Headquarters. Venues for the AGM and general league meetings to be selected by the General Secretary where a separate room and car parking facilities are available. All league meetings start at 8pm.
3. Voting. Each team to be entitled to only one vote on any matter put to a vote at league meetings.
4. Fixtures. All teams entering or re-entering the league must be able to play all their league matches without conflict of time or venue and in accordance with league fixtures. If teams do not complete all their league fixtures, they may be deducted points the following season.
5. League Constitution. To be drawn up by the League Manager at the start of each season. It will comprise of five divisions of sixteen teams. If less than 80 teams apply to re-enter or enter the league the six divisions will be adjusted accordingly with Free Spaces.
6. Promotion/Relegation. At the end of each season the top 3 teams in divisions 2 to 5 inclusive will be promoted and the bottom 3 teams in divisions 1 to 4 will be relegated. In the event of two or more teams tying for promotion/ relegation/League Champions or wooden spoon the outcome will be decided by the head-to-head between the teams involved, first on points then on pins. If this is not decisive, then play-off on a neutral alley.
7. Resignation. If a team resigns after the league has been constituted the league manager can accept another team to fill the vacancy, this team will assume the vacant position for the coming season only. If placed in a higher division then they will be relegated to the bottom division irrespective of final position. The team will receive prizes if appropriate. The constitution of the league will then be restored by promoting teams as necessary. If a team resigns once the season has begun then all league points awarded to opposition teams in respect of matches played with that team shall be adjusted by the League Manager.
8. Pub or Club. Any team whose name incorporates the Pub or Club where they play shall not be allowed to change their name or alley without permission from their Landlord or Club Committee.
9. All Matches to start at 8.45pm. Late starts should be reported by either captain to the League Manager. Teams who do not turn up or fail to complete all their league fixtures will be dealt with by the league management committee. This could lead to points being deducted or expulsion for offending teams.
10. Teams shall consist of 8 players. To be played in two halves and consist of 6 legs per player. If any player ‘called away’ during the match or is arriving late for a leg he/she is due to play then they shall be awarded the lowest score (from both teams) that leg. This does not apply for players who do not turn up for the match. Any team with less than 7 players the match will be Void and referred to The League Management Committee, who will determine what action to take and award/forfeit points according to circumstance.
11. Postponing a League Match: If the home team postpones the match they have to give the away team TWO new dates in separate weeks. If the away team postpones the match the home team has to give the away team only ONE new date. These new dates must be at least 7 days from original date, unless both team’s agree, and not coincide with other league matches. The opposing team has then 7 days to accept on of the dates given. If teams do not accept these dates they will forfeit the match 6-0. Postpones matches must be played before the final meeting of the season. Any team that wants to postpone a match must give at least 24 hours’ notice to the opposing captain or they may incur financial penalties, (min: £16 for sticker up/£15 for food). The League Manager or Results Coordinator must be informed of all postponed matches and rearranged dates. If any matches have not been completed by the end of the season the League Management Committee will determine what action to take and award/forfeit points according to circumstance.
12. Scoring. A match shall be decided by the number of pins knocked down, all spares shall be eligible for scoring. League matches scoring shall be 2 points for winning the first half, 2 points for winning the second half, and a further 2 points for winning the game. One points each for any tie and nil points for a loss. The maximum for each game is 6 points.
13. Pins & Balls. The visiting team shall play with the type of balls and pins provided by the home team. The size of balls and pins shall be as in general use. If the front pin, front quarters or centre pins are distinguishable from the rest of the pins they are to be used as such. If they are not distinguishable then the pins can be erected in any position. Pins leaving the diamond are deemed knocked down. Balls not to be returned to the throwing area until all three balls have been delivered. Weighted pins or balls are not allowed.
14. No Ball. Players, when throwing must not advance beyond the line and the ball when delivered must land behind the line. Violation of this rule shall be deemed a ‘no-ball’. All pins knocked down by a ‘no-ball’ will not be erected and the ball will not be returned. If the captains cannot agree, the dispute shall be decided by the toss of a coin. If the captain is not present a member of the team must assume responsibility for captaincy.
15. Cush Ball. Pins knocked down by a ball which hits the side of the alley before reaching the diamond, shall be deemed a ‘cush-ball’, pins shall be re-erected but the ball not returned.
16. Space. The league recommends there be a distance of 12ft between the overthrow line and the heel board, back wall or spectators.
17. Score Books. All team to have a skittle Score Book, which must include a record of player’s names, scores and matches played. Score cards are available, from the General Secretary, if required.
18. Sticker Up Fees. The home team shall be responsible for paying the sticker up (min of £16). For all cup semi-finals, finals, SotY play offs and finals the league will pay the sticker up fees of £20. (No food will be served at these events).
19. Match Results. Home teams are responsible for reporting match results to the Results Co-ordinator via a WhatsApp text/pic asap after the match, or by sending a result cards to the general secretary. Photos/texts/cards must show team names, date, pins & points, and be signed by both team captains. All results are to be in by the following Tuesday after the match.
20. Make up of the Cups. Knock Out Cup – Open to all teams. Nomination Cup – Open to the top 32 teams. Knock Out Plate – Open to all teams placed 33rd and lower. The first round of these competitions to be drawn by the general secretary and played over the first two weeks of the season.
21. Cup Matches. Round 1: Failure to play your Cup/Nomination/Plate match on the dates set by the league will result in the offending team forfeiting/conceding the match.
22. Cup Deadlines. Round 2 onwards: The home team must give their opponent two dates in separate weeks within one week of the meeting/draw, not coincide with league matches. The away team must accept one of these dates given within seven days. If the Home alley is not available, a neutral or the away alley may be used. Saturday’s & Sunday’s are not accepted as normal match days unless both captains agree. All cup/plate/nomination matches must be played on or before the next meeting or pre-arranged date. Not giving dates within allowed times could mean automatic elimination. If captains are not available then they must delegate another member of their team to act as captain. Teams are not permitted to postpone a cup match once it has been arranged. Any other disputes will be dealt with by the League Management Committee.
23. Tied Cup Matches. In the event of a tie in a Cup competition, or play off, the second four players of both teams concerned must play extra legs until a result is obtained.
24. Cup Qualifiers. Winners of cup games played on the night of the meeting/cup draw must notify, the League Manager and their next opponent, of the result as soon as possible.
25. Cup Semi-Finals & Finals. The General Secretary will select suitable venues for all semi-finals and finals. The league will also provide stickers ups, markers and adjudicators. At all semi-finals and finals a coin toss shall decide which team goes first /second.
26. Transfers. No player shall play for more than one team without a transfer. Transfer forms can be obtained from the League Manager or from the website. The forms must be signed by all parties before being returned to the League Manager for approval. Any player having already played in a cup competition shall be deemed ‘cup tied’ and will not be allowed to play for any other team in that competition. Any team that plays an ineligible player will be deducted 6 points for league games or if a cup game their opponent will be awarded the round.
27. Skittler of the Year. All teams must send a representative to enter this Individual Tournament. The initial qualifying rounds will be spread over four ‘play offs’ sections, with the 4 top scores in each section qualifying for the Final. In the event of a tie a 3 ball play off will decide the qualifiers. Prizes given for first, second, third and fourth places in each play-off section and Grand Final prizes for Tournament Winner, Runner Up and Third place. No substitutes will be allowed in the Final. The general secretary will arrange when and where the Play Off’s and final will take place.
28. Highest Score. Individual score for the season will count in ANY match.
29. Redress. All protests must be lodged with the League Manager within 7 days of the match.
30. Infringement. Persistent Infringement of any of these rules will be dealt with by the League Management Committee, who also have the power to adjudicate in any matter covered or not in these rules. Offenders could be warned of future conduct, deducted points. In severe cases teams could be expelled from the league or refused re-entry for the following season.
Presentation of trophies & prize money will be at the AGM in June at the end of the season.
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