Competition Format

Twenty teams will take part in the bonspiel, starting in four sections of five teams – each section playing a round robin (so each team gets four games at this stage).  The section round robin stage takes place on Friday and Saturday – with five draws each day – so some teams will have three games on one day and one on the other day, and some will have two games each day.  On Sunday, first draw, the four section winners will play in the high road semi-finals, and the four runners-up will play in the low road semi-finals.  Then in the second and third draws, the third/fourth/fifth in each section will play a “losers bonspiel” – just one game (four games in draw 2, and 2 games in draw 3).  Then finally the high and low road finals, which will start at 2pm – overlapping with the last 2 games of the losers’ bonspiel.

Round robin games will be six ends.  The first named team will play the top of the scoreboard, and will have last stone advantage at the first end. Two points will be awarded for a win and one for a peel.  Final round robin rankings will be based on points, then ends won, then shots up, then total shots scored.  If still tied, then the result between tied teams will be used next.  In the event of a tie remaining, a coin will be tossed.

Loser Bonspiel games will be 6 ends.  Coin toss will determine last stone at first end, with the other team having choice of stones. The winner of the losers’ bonspiel will be the team with the highest number of shots up (counting only the losers’ bonspiel game).

Semi-finals and finals will be 8 ends.  Coin toss will determine last stone at first end, with the other team having choice of stones.  If tied after 8 ends, one player from each team will play a single stone draw to the button – teams may sweep their own stone.

 

Rules

The Scottish Curling Rules of the Game will generally be applied to the competition.  The following specifics/exceptions should be noted:

  • A 5-stone free guard zone will apply
  • At the start of the competition, teams are expected to consist of bona-fide members of the club they are representing. Up to four substitutes may be used through the course of the competition – ideally from the same club, but if not available the organisers will assist in finding substitutes.  As a last resort, teams may start games with three players
  • Sweeping devices do not have to conform to WCF approved specifications.
  • Scottish Curling Rules of the Game allow a moving stone that touches or crosses the dividing line with the adjoining sheet to continue its progress, provided it does not come into contact with any object on the adjoining sheet. After coming to rest it must lie completely within the dividing line, or it is removed from play.