Selection of Playing Bye-Laws
- General
(a) Rules Governing Play
Games, matches and competitions shall be played under the Rules of the Game approved by the Royal Club. The definitions and Rules for both lateness and substitution of the Royal Club competitions shall apply, except when qualified by the Playing Bye-Laws of the Club.
(b) Rink Selection
All Skips must select players from their allocated rinks first. Failing these sources any other pool member shall be eligible unless specifically excluded by the Rules of the Competition concerned.
(c) Substitutes
Substitutes in all Competitions:
Any player or players not playing for his allocated rink must play from lead upwards unless otherwise agreed by the opposing skip. A maximum of two substitutes will be permitted in any game. Under no circumstances will a game commence with less than 3 players in a rink.
All players are responsible for finding their own substitute. Pool members must be contacted before rink members.
(d) Allocation of Ice
In any match if more than one game is being played at the same time and place, a draw shall be made for ‘ice’. In the Pairs Competition, two games shall be played in succession on the same sheet of ice during the same session.
(e) Incomplete Rinks
3 Man Rule
If a player is late, the game will start on time and the following penalty shots must be taken depending on time as follows:-
10 minutes late -1 penalty shot
20 minutes late – 2 penalty shots
30 minutes late – 3 penalty shots
after 30 minutes, 3 penalty shots are awarded and the result of the game stands.
Poole Trophy:
The three man rule applies, with the addition of ends awarded as follows:-
15 minutes late – 1 penalty end
Penalty shots will be awarded as for other competitions.
In either instance the late player may join the game at the discretion of the opposing skip
If two players are late, but both arrive within 30 minutes of the due start time, then penalty shots/ends will be calculated from the later arrival.
Under no circumstances will a game commence with less than 3 players in a rink. In such an event in addition to the other penalties the points will be forfeited by the offending rink
The Club shall be responsible for any shortfall in ice charges but shall be entitled to recover the loss from the defaulter.
(f) Duration of Play
All games except pairs shall be ten ends or time, whichever is the shorter. All games in knock out competitions will be eight ends or time whichever is the shorter. Pairs games are subject to amended rules as detailed below.
(g) Results of Games
Skips shall be responsible for ensuring that results of all games, both those between rinks of the Club as well as those against other Clubs, shall be given to the Match Secretary in writing. The score card or substitute should show the score for each end, the totals, and the names of the players, indicating their order of play.
For games between rinks of the Club one score card showing the names of both rinks, their order of play, and signed by both skips shall be accepted.
- Resolutions of Ties
In League Competitions ties shall be resolved by:-
- counting ends won shall decide, and
- If still tied comparing majority of shots – i.e. the number by which shots counting for one rink exceed those counting against that rink
- In the event of ends being used as a deciding factor, a team having won a game by penalty shots alone, with no game having been played, shall be awarded 3 ends.
The winner shall be the rink with the greatest total except in the Hogg Trophy when the least total will be decisive.
Knock-Out Competitions – In the event of equality of shots the number of ends up shall decide. If the game is still tied an extra end shall be played if time permits. If not, a single shot will be played by a nominated player from each rink. The first stone shall be measured and then removed – the winner will be the stone nearer to the tee. The order of play shall be decided by drawing lots. The normal procedure of Play i.e. skip direction and sweeping shall apply. No sweeping behind the “T” by the opposing skip.
(i) Umpires
Umpires’ powers and duties shall be those approved by the Royal Club.
(j) Knock-Out Competition Byes
Byes shall be drawn first in any Competition Draw.
- League Competition
Rankine Cup
The Rankine Cup was donated in 1881 and played for by Kinross and Orwell Curling Clubs. When won outright in 1886 by Kinross it was first awarded to the winners of the Rink Cup Knock-Out Competition of the Club. Now it is presented to the Skip of the winning rink of the annual League Competition and held by him for a year. Each member of the winning rink may receive a small trophy. The winner shall be the rink scoring the greatest number of points – a win counting two and a draw one. All playing members are eligible and shall be divided into rinks by the Skips. Skips shall draw for these rinks. Any player or players not playing for his allocated rink must play from lead upwards according to the wishes of the opposing Skip.
MacKintosh Trophy
The MacKintosh Trophy was presented by Dr. A K MacKintosh in 1952 to encourage Skips to represent the Club in outside games and matches. It is now presented to the running up skip in the Rankine Cup Competition.
Hogg Trophy
The Hogg Trophy presented by G W Hogg, Esq., in 1957 shall be won by the Skip of the Rink scoring the fewest points in the League Competition and held by him for a year. Ties for all trophies shall be resolved as directed in the General Section of these Playing Bye-Laws.
- Knock-Out Competitions
Montgomery Trophy
The Montgomery Trophy was presented by Sir D Montgomery in 1965 for Annual Competition between members of the Club on a Knock-Out principle and to provide curling for the maximum number of players, particularly the new curlers. The winning Skip shall hold the Trophy for a year and each member of his rink may receive a small trophy. Substitutes, ice allocation and tied games shall be governed by the General Section of these Playing Bye-Laws. The Skips shall decide the number of rinks competing and if required appoint additional Skips. The Skips shall select a lead, second, and third for each rink Skips to get byes shall be drawn first then the remaining Skips shall be matched in rotation. Skips and rinks shall also be matched by a Draw arranged by the Skips.
Fulton Quaich
The losing rinks in the first round of the Montgomery Trophy Completion shall be eligible for the Fulton Quaich, both of which shall run concurrently. Ties shall be resolved, ice allocated and substitutions made as directed in the General Section of these Playing Bye-Laws. The Fulton Quaich was presented by Dr. Kelso Fulton in 1977.
- League and Knock-Out Competition
Jubilee Salver and Gallowhill Ploughshare
The Jubilee Salver was presented by the Club to allow curlers to play in different positions within a rink to gain more experience. The Gallowhill Ploughshare was presented by Jim Paterson in 2003, the competition to be run alongside the Jubilee Salver, principally for skips and thirds. For season 2022-2023, as a trial, these competitions will be combined, with a new format. This shall be a league of 5 rinks, in which leads, second players and thirds will take turns of skipping the rink – playing positions remining fixed for each complete game, but changing for subsequent games, according to a rota issued by the Match Secretary. Substitutes must be from the pool, and only non allocated Rink players are to substitute as a last resort. Where substitutes are used, the skips shall agree the playing positions that best maintains the spirit of the competition (i.e. the substitute should play in the position that maintains the balance between the teams in terms of ability and experience in each playing position)
Ice allocation and tied games shall be governed by the General Section of the Playing Bye-Laws
- Pairs Competition
Gartwhinzean Cup
The Gartwhinzean Cup presented by J King, Esq., in 1971 shall be competed for annually and held by the winning pair for a year. Each member of the pair may receive a small trophy. All playing members of the Club are eligible for this Knock-Out Competition.
The format of the competition will be decided by the skips committee according to the availability of players. Substitutes, ice allocation and tied games shall be governed by the General Section of these Playing Bye-Laws. Each game shall consist of five ends or one hour whichever is the shorter except for the final when seven ends shall be played. Only three stones will be played by each player, except in the final when four stones will be played. The free guard rule will apply for all rounds, with only the first stone on rounds where six stones are played and for two stones in the final.
In the event of a drawn game, ends shall not count, a single shot shall be drawn with no sweeping behind the tee, in the final an extra end will be played except where time does not permit where a shot shall be drawn. The order of play shall be determined by the toss of a coin.
1st round losers are eligible for the Archie Skinner Rosebowl donated to the Club by Isobel and Stuart Skinner in 1983.
- Points Competition
Beveridge Bowl and Medals
The Beveridge Bowl presented by Dave Beveridge, Esq., in 1960 shall be awarded to the winner; The Silver Medal (Royal Club Centenary Medal) to the second and the Bronze Medal (Royal Club Jubilee Medal 1838-1888) to the third in the annual Points Competition. The Fife Quaich will be awarded to the highest lead or second. The Trophies shall be held by the winners for a year.
All playing and pool members of the Club are eligible to play. A Draw for order of play with the exception of the first three places which will be reserved for the previous years winners. shall be made by the Match Secretary prior to the starting signal. One practice stone may be requested by the first player at the start of the competition, only on the first sheet of ice, but if used will not be counted towards his score. The Rules of the Points Game as approved by the Royal Club shall apply to this Competition. The Committee shall appoint an umpire whose main duty shall be to resolve a tie.
- Town and Country Match
Roxburgh Cup
The Roxburgh Cup shall be played for annually by sides representing the Town and the Country. Members living in the Burgh of Kinross or extended boundary as agreed are eligible for the Town, the rest for the Country. The Committee shall appoint one Town Skip and one Country Skip to be Captains of their respective teams. These Captains shall arrange for the other Skips from their respective areas to meet and choose Rinks for this match. Opposing Rinks shall be matched by a Draw, and ice allocated as directed in the General Section of these Playing Bye-Laws. The Captains will toss a coin for stones. The choice of stones must ensure that all Rinks of the same side shall score in the same position on all scoreboards. The winning side shall be that scoring the majority of shots. The skip with the greatest majority of shots on the winning side shall hold the Roxburgh Cup for a year. In the event of a tie the greater number of ends won shall decide the winner.
- Poole Trophy
Poole Trophy
The Skips shall decide the number of rinks and appoint skips and rinks. Substitutes shall be made according to club rules. The games shall be played with ends won to count. The qualifying rounds shall be played as a league, 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. Should two or more rinks finish equal on points, the rink having the greatest number of ends up will be the winner. If two or more rinks are equal on ends up the team having the greatest number of shots up shall be the winner.
Top Rinks and if necessary the highest up loser will qualify for the Knock-Out stage. Ice allocation, substitutes etc., in the Knock-Out section to be resolved as the General Section of the Playing Bye-Laws.
In the event of a rink being incomplete, a penalty of 1 end after 15 minutes.
In the event of equality of ends in the Knock-Out stages an extra end shall be played if time permits. If not, a single shot will be played by a nominated player from each rink. The first will be measured and then removed. The winner being the stone nearest the tee. The order of play as club rules.