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Rules

A. EQUIPMENT

 

1. THE RINK MAT

(a) Description. The rink mat shall be of a suitable material conducive to the true running of the bowls as approved by the SSMBF. It shall be coloured green and shall have a suitable underlay or an approved bonded backing. The maximum length shall be 45 feet and minimum length 40 feet including the ditches.

(b) Markings. The rink mat shall be marked off with half-inch lines which must be white in colour and be of suitable adhesive tape. Painted or woven lines must be covered by this tape and be clearly defined at all times.

(c) Ditch and Dead Lines. Lines representing the ditch shall be marked across each end of the rink, one foot from the fender and similar transverse lines shall be marked nine feet from each ditch line to represent the dead line.

(d) Jack Line. The jack line shall be three feet long and in the middle of the rink mat with one end three feet from the dead line and the other three feet from the ditch line.

(e) Delivery Lines. Delivery lines shall be marked four feet 6 inches long starting at right angles from the ditch line and the distance on each side shall be thirteen inches.

(f) Delivery Mat Lines. Delivery mat lines shall be marked twelve inches long starting at right angles from the ditch line towards the fender and the distance on each side from the centre line of the rink mat shall be seven inches.

(g) Block Line. The block line shall be fifteen inches long and centred across the centre of the mat.

 

2. DELIVERY MAT

The delivery mat shall be twenty four inches long and fourteen inches wide.

 

3. DITCH AND FENDER

The width of the ditch shall be twelve inches. It shall be enclosed at the back and both sides with a fender three inches high and not more than three inches wide. It shall be coloured white and must not be covered with any material. lf the fender is designed to fit on the edge of the rink mat, the height of the back shall be 2 and a half inches.

 

4. THE BLOCK

The block shall be fifteen inches long, three inches high and not more than three inches wide. It shall be coloured white and must not be covered by any material.

 

5. BOWLS

(a) Bowls shall not exceed five and a quarter inches in diameter or be less than four and a half inches in diameter and shall not exceed three and a half pounds in weight.

(b) Loading of bowls is strictly prohibited.

(c) Coloured discs or stickers may be used to identify team or club bowls and for this purpose they shall be classed as part of that bowl. The placing of a number of stickers on top of each other could render the bowl invalid or objected to.

 

6. THE JACK

The jack shall be round, white or yellow in colour. lts diameter shall be not less than two and a half inches or more than two and three quarter inches. lt shall weigh not less than 15 ounces or more than 32 ounces (heavyweight jack preferred).

 

7. FOOTWEAR

Bowling shoes or bowling sandals MUST be worn when playing on the rink mat.

 

8. DRESS REGULATIONS

Where dress regulations are stipulated for any match, championship or event . . . NO PERSON SHALL PARTICIPATE IF IMPROPERLY DRESSED.

NB: The dress to be worn when representing the SSMBF in any match, championship or event shall be:

Gentlemen: White Shirt, official Royal Blue tie, official Royal Blue Jumper, Grey Trousers and Correct Footwear.

Ladies: White Blouse with official Royal Blue Jumper, Grey Skirt or Trousers, and Correct Footwear.

 

B. CONDITIONS OF THE GAME

 

1. FORM AND DURATION

A game of bowls shall be played on the rink mat or on several rink mats. It shall consist of a specified number of shots or ends or shall be played for any period of time as previously arranged.

 

2. PLAY ARRANGEMENTS

(a) A game shall be played on one rink mat as:

i)    a singles game between two players, each player playing two, three or four bowls singly and alternately.

ii)  a pairs game by two players on either side, each playing two, three or four bowls. The two leads shall play all their bowls singly, alternately and in turn before changing ends with the skips who will then play their bowls alternately and in turn.

iii)  a triples game by two teams of three players on each side, each player playing two or three bowls singly, alternately and in turn with the leads playing all their bowls before the seconds are allowed to bowl their bowls. The leads will remain at the mat end until after both seconds have bowled all their bowls, then these four players will change ends with the skips who will now bowl their bowls singly, alternately and in turn.

iv)  a fours game by four players on either side who shall be called lead, second, third and skip. Each player will play two bowls, singly, alternately and in turn. The leads and seconds will be at the bowling end and not allowed to visit the head until both leads and seconds have played all their bowls. The third may stay at the head with the skip until the leads and seconds have played their bowls. They will then come to the head and the third will go to play his bowls. When the third has played both his bowls he/she will return to the head and the skip will then go to the bowling end. He/she may only visit the head when he/she is in possession of the rink mat.

(b) When not bowling all players must stand behind the fender and clear of the rink mat and fender.

(c) A team game shall be played by two sides on a given number of mats, each side composed of an equal number of players.

(d) Bowls must come to rest before any player crosses the dead line or changes ends.

C. THE BOWLS

 

1. A LIVE BOWL IS:

(a) a bowl which in its original course comes to rest wholly within the live area, even though it overhangs the edge of the rink mat.

(b) a bowl which in its original course breaks the ditch line, but does not interfere with any toucher or the jack in the ditch, or touch the fender or makes contact with the floor or the block and comes to rest in the live area, even though it may overhang the edge of the rink mat.

(c) a bowl which in its original course on the rink mat, touches the jack, either directly or indirectly, or by deflection off another bowl or bowls, even though it settles in the ditch or makes contact with the fender after it has touched the jack, such a bowl shall be live and called a toucher and its position in the ditch shall be suitably marked so that it may be accurately replaced in the event of it being illegally disturbed.

 

2. MARKING A TOUCHER

(a) A toucher shall be clearly marked with chalk by a member of the player's side before the next bowl delivered comes to rest. If a bowl is not so marked before the succeeding bowl comes to rest, it will cease to be a toucher. If, in the opinion of either skip or the player in charge of the head, to chalk such a bowl could cause it to fall or move, it shall not be chalked but must be nominated as a toucher and it should then be chalked if the danger ceases during the course of play.

(b) The marker in a singles game should chalk all touchers and should indicate to the players any bowl which is a toucher which he is unable to mark.

(c) All toucher marks should be removed before any bowl is played.

(d) Should a bowl be played which has not had the chalk removed, the skip, the player in charge of the head, or the marker shall remove the mark as soon as the bowl comes to rest, or if there is a danger that such a bowl should fall and alter the head or its position it should be indicated and the mark removed if the position is changed.

 

3. ACTION OF TOUCHERS

(a) Touchers may act upon the jack or on other touchers in the ditch. The jack and any such touchers moved shall remain in their new positions.

(b) Touchers rebounding from the jack or the fender or from other touchers in the ditch on to the live area shall remain in play where they have come to rest.

4. DEAD BOWLS

A bowl is dead and MUST be removed from the rink mat if:

(a) it is delivered from a foot fault position.

(b) it contacts the centre block or passes over it.

(c) it does not travel beyond the dead line.

(d) it finishes in the ditch without touching the jack.

(e) it touches or rebounds from the fender or contacts a toucher or the jack which is in the ditch, unless the bowl in question is a toucher.

(f)  any portion of the bowl intersects any part of the dead line, unless it is a toucher.

(g) when it comes to rest, any part of it intersects any part of the ditch line. 

(h) it makes contact with the floor or leaves the rink mat (except as in Fender Displacement, Rule E8).

(i) if it is carried beyond the dead line by the player who is in possession of the rink mat.

 

5. UNDERLAY

The underlay is part of the playing surface.

 

6. LINE DECISIONS

A line decision is where a bowl cannot be adjudged to be breaking the ditch or dead line without the use of a set square or other measuring equipment to make a decision. If another bowl is delivered before a decision is made the bowl is determined to be live. If it is subsequently played into a dead bowl position, it should be removed from the rink mat - it is NOT a toucher. If, however, the bowl is obviously breaking the ditch or dead line or is completely within the ditch or dead area, it should be removed from the rink mat even though other bowls may have been bowled prior to this position being determined. In other words a DEAD BOWL is a DEAD BOWL no matter what circumstances prevail.

 

7. BOWL DISPLACEMENT

(a) DISPLACEMENT BY A NON TOUCHER

If a head is disturbed by:

i)   a bowl delivered from a foot fault position,

ii)  a bowl which strikes or contacts the block or passes over it,

iii) a bowl which rebounds from a toucher which is in the ditch,

iv) a bowl deflected by the fender,

v)  a bowl or jack in the ditch which is moved by a non toucher,

it shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the opposing player who is in charge of the head, and the end completed.

Should a bowl be played with such force as to cause the centre block to enter and disturb the head, the opposing skip will have the option of claiming 3 shots and counting the end as played.

(b) DISPLACEMENT BY A PARTICIPATING PLAYER

If a bowl whilst in motion or at rest on the rink mat, or if a toucher in the ditch be interfered with or displaced by one of the players, the opposing skip shall have the option of:

i)   Restoring the bowl as near as possible to its original position.

ii)  Letting it remain in its new position.

iii) Declaring the bowl dead and removing it from the rink mat.

iv) Playing the end again and it Must be from the same direction.

(c ) DISPLACEMENT BY A NON PLAYER

If a bowl while in motion or at rest on the rink mat, or if a toucher in the ditch, be interfered with or be displaced by any person not playing, or by a jack or bowl from another rink mat or by any other object:

the two skips will come to an agreement regarding its original position. Should the skips fail to agree, the end shall be played again in the same direction.

(d) DISPLACEMENT BY THE MARKER

If a bowl is displaced while it is being measured by the marker:

it shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the marker, subject to agreement by both players. If the players cannot agree, the end shall be played again from the same direction. If a shot or shots have already been awarded, the player holding the shots will have the option of accepting this as the score for that end or playing the end again.

(e) DISPLACEMENT BY THE UMPIRE

If the umpire accidentally moves the jack or bowl(s) while measuring, the umpire will replace it/them as near as possible to the original position before completing the decision. The Umpire will be the sole arbiter in the matter.

8. BOWL DRIVEN OVER THE FENDER

If a bowl be delivered with such force as to pass over the back or the sides of the fender, or knock another bowl over the back or sides of the fender, the opposing skip shall have the option of:

(a) claiming three shots and counting the end as an end played.

(b) counting the end as an end played and claiming the shots lying.

(c) completing the end.

(d) playing the end anew as a dead end. All dead ends shall be replayed in the same direction.

(e) If a bowl and the jack are driven over the back or sides of the fender at the same time, either three shots can be claimed or the end played again.

9. FIRING SHOT/WEIGHTED BOWL

A player who intends to play a forcing or firing shot MUST give a verbal warning to ensure the safety of other players, markers, umpires and spectators. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the offending player being warned at the first infringement. Subsequent infringements will result in the player being asked to leave the rink mat and take no further part in the competition. The player may also be reported by the organising body to the SSMBF.

 

D. THE JACK

 

1. A jack is live and may be played by a live bowl if the jack is within the live area or if any portion of it is within the live area when it is breaking the ditch line. This means that any live bowl which in its original course enters the ditch (does not touch the fender or any bowl which is at rest within the ditch) touches any part of the jack which is intersecting the ditch line and has a portion in the live area. will be determined a toucher and should be chalked and its position marked should it come to rest within the ditch.

2. A jack driven in to the ditch shall be live and shall not be moved except by a toucher.

3. DEAD JACK

The jack is dead if:

(a) any portion of it comes in to direct contact with the floor or any other non-playing surface other than the fender, except as in Fender Displacement, Rule E8.

(b) it is driven by a bowl in play beyond the boundary of the rink mat, i.e. over the fender, off the side or over the dead line.

(c) after rebounding it comes to rest either wholly within the dead area or with any portion of it breaking the dead line.

If the jack is knocked to the edge of the mat and falls off during subsequent play without the action of another bowl hitting it, the end will be declared dead and replayed from the same direction.

4. BURNT END - JACK OFF THE MAT

Each team will be allowed to knock the jack off the side of the mat twice without penalty. On the third and all subsequent ends, the offending team shall have three shots given against and the end counted as an end played except when it occurs in the last end of the game in which case the team claiming the points shall have the option of claiming the three shots or playing another end.

(In a two wood singles game the penalty will be two shots.)

5. DEAD END

When the jack is dead it will not be counted as an end, even if all bowls in that end have been played. The end will be played again and must be played from the same direction.

6. REBOUNDING JACK

Should the jack be driven against the fender and rebound on to the live area, or should it rebound from a toucher in the ditch on to the live area, or after being played into the ditch, it be moved by a toucher so far as to find its way on to the live area, it shall be played to in the same manner as if it had never left the live area.

7. JACK DRIVEN OVER THE FENDER

If the jack is driven over the back or sides of the fender by a player, the opposing skip shall have the option of:

(a) claiming three shots and counting the end as an end played.

(b) playing the end again as in a dead end.

8. JACK DISPLACEMENT

(a) DISPLACEMENT BY A DEAD BOWL

If a jack is disturbed by a bowl which:

i)   has been delivered from a foot fault position,

ii)  strikes or touches the block,

iii) being a non-toucher, rebounds from the fender,

iv)  being a non-toucher, strikes it in the ditch,

it shall be restored as near as possible to its original position by the opposing player in charge of the head.

(b) DISPLACEMENT BY A PARTICIPATING PLAYER

If a jack which is in motion or at rest on the rink mat be interfered with by a player, the opposing skip shall have the option of:

i)   restoring the jack as near as possible to its original position.

ii)  letting it remain where it now rests.

iii) playing the end again from the same direction.

(c) DISPLACEMENT BY A NON-PLAYER

If the jack while in motion or at rest on the rink mat be interfered with, displaced or moved by a non-player, or by a jack or bowl from another rink, or by any object:

the players in charge of the head shall come to an agreement regarding its original position and the jack will be restored. Should they fail to agree, that end will be played again and it must be from the same direction.

(d) DISPLACEMENT BY THE MARKER

If the jack is moved by the marker whilst measuring:

it will be placed as near as possible to its original position and both players will agree its position. If they do not agree, then the end will be played again from the same direction. If a shot or shots have already been agreed, the player shall have the right to accept that score.

(e) DISPLACEMENT BY A PLAYER MEASURING

Should a player in the act of measuring accidentally move the jack, the opposing player who agrees the shots shall:

i)    replace the jack as near as possible to its original position.

ii)   agree the shot or shots already claimed.

iii)  agree to accept the shot or shots already taken out.

iv)  play the end again from the same direction.

(f) DISPLACEMENT BY THE UMPIRE

Should the Umpire accidentally move the jack whilst in the act of measuring:

the umpire will replace it in its original position before completing his/her decision. The Umpire will be the sole arbiter of the position and their decision will be binding.

 

E. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF PLAY

 

1. TRIAL ENDS

Trial ends shall be at the discretion of the controlling body.

2. STARTING THE GAME

(a) The captain in a team game shall toss: the winner shall have the option to play first or second on all rink mats.

(b) In games played on the rink mat, the leads shall toss and the winner shall have the option of playing first or second.

(c) The delivery of the first bowl shall constitute the start of the game.

3. PLAYING FIRST

(a) In all subsequent ends to the first, the winner of the preceding end shall play first.

(b) In the event of a tied end (no score) or a dead end, the player who played first in that end shall again play first.

4. PLACING THE DELIVERY MAT

(a) At the beginning of an end the player who is to play first shall place the delivery mat within the delivery mat lines, with the shorter side in contact with the fender.

(b) The delivery mat must not be moved until the end is complete. lf accidentally moved it must be returned to its proper position by the following player.

(c) The last player to bowl in that end shall remove the delivery mat clear of the rink mat.

5. PLACING THE JACK

(a) The marker in a singles game shall place the jack on the jack line where the player who is to play first requires it.

(b) The skip whose side it is to play first shall place the jack on the jack line at any length he/she chooses. It may overhang the end of the jack line providing it is in contact with the jack line.

6. STANCE ON THE DELIVERY MAT

A player at the moment of delivering his/her bowl shall have one foot entirely within the confines of the delivery mat. The foot must either be in contact with, or directly above the delivery mat and the other foot must be either on and within the confines of the delivery mat or forward of the ditch line and inside the delivery lines. Failure to observe this rule constitutes foot faulting. No warning will be given.

7. FOOT FAULTING

(a) Should a player in a singles game foot fault, the marker shall stop the bowl and remove it clear of the rink mat.

(b) in pairs, triples and fours games, it is the duty of the opposing skip or player who is in charge of the head at the delivery end to call foot faults.

(c) No part of the body may be in contact with the rink mat outside the delivery lines; this shall constitute a foot fault. In the case of a disabled player who needs either a walking stick or hand outside the line for balance, this does not apply.

NB: this does not mean that a bowl cannot be delivered from outside the delivery lines.

8. FENDER DISPLACEMENT

(a) Should the fender become displaced in a singles game, the marker will replace it and restore the jack or any toucher which may have been at rest in the ditch, to their original marked positions.

(b) The player who is in charge of the head shall be responsible for restoring the jack and any touchers which may have been at rest in the ditch, to their original marked positions.

Should the fender be displaced by a toucher or the jack entering the ditch and where such bowl(s) or the jack should touch the floor surface within the confines of the displaced fender, the following rules shall apply:

(c) In a singles game, the marker will replace the fender and place the jack and/or bowl(s) in the positions at which they contacted the fender or left the rink mat, also restoring the jack and/or any touchers which may have been at rest in the ditch to their original marked positions.

(d) The player who is in charge of the head for the opposing side shall be responsible for replacing the fender and placing the jack and/or bowl(s) in the positions at which they contacted the fender or left the rink mat, also restoring the jack and/or any touchers that may have been at rest in the ditch to their original marked positions.

9. POSSESSION OF THE RINK MAT

(a) Possession of the rink mat shall belong to the side whose bowl is being played.

(b) The Players in possession of the rink mat shall not be interfered with, annoyed, barracked or have their attention distracted by their opponents.

(c) As soon as each bowl has come to rest, possession of the rink mat shall be transferred to the other side, time being allowed for marking a toucher, removing dead bowls or making line decisions.

10. POSITION OF PLAYERS

Players not in the act of playing or controlling play MUST stand clear of the rink mat and be behind and clear of the fender.

11. PLAYERS AND THEIR DUTIES

(a) SKIP 

i)    The skip shall have SOLE charge of their side and their instructions must be obeyed by all their players.

ii)   With the opposing skips they will decide all disputed points or shots: when both skips agree their decision shall be final. If they cannot agree, one will call the umpire who will then arbitrate and whose decision shall be final. In the absence of an official umpire, any person mutually agreed by both players will arbitrate and their decision will be final and binding.

iii) They will be responsible for marking all touchers or removing the chalk mark from any non-touchers. They will be responsible for removing any dead bowls from the ditch, off the rink mat or dead area.

iv)  They will decide on any line bowls with the other skip and any other matters or will call the Umpire to adjudicate.

v)   Whilst at the playing end they may visit the head only when in possession of the rink mat. They will not carry their bowls beyond the nearest dead line . . . any bowl so carried beyond the dead line will be declared dead and must be removed from the

rink mat. Players must be warned and only penalised on the second occurrence.

(b) THIRD

i)    The third will do all the measuring and agree the shots, allowing the opposite number to also measure and will inform the skip of the result. If either third cannot agree, they will call the skips who will then arbitrate.

ii)  The third will mark all touchers or remove the marks from any non-toucher and will remove any dead bowls from the rink mat or the ditch and will see that the jack or toucher in the ditch is not disturbed except by another toucher.

iii) The third will take charge of the head only when it is the Skip's turn to bowl and their side is in possession of the rink mat. If the head is changed, he/she will inform the skip and direct the play accordingly.

iv)  The third may remain at the head while the leads and seconds are bowling their bowls. They may not return to the head once they have played their first bowl.

(c) SECOND IN A FOURS GAME

i)    The second will keep the score card and will see that the names of all players on each side are entered.

ii)  The second will record the score both for and against as agreed by the thirds and will compare the card with the opposing second after each end.

iii) The second will be responsible for the score card and will retain it in their possession at all times and hand it to the skip on completion of the game.

(d) SECOND IN A TRIPLES GAME

i)   The second shall keep the score card as in a fours game but will also agree the shot or shots with the opposing second and having recorded them, will inform the skip.

ii)  The second will prove the claim for shots by measuring but will not cause any bowl to be moved until the shot or shots are agreed, allowing the opposing second to also measure and if they cannot agree will call the skips to arbitrate.

iii) The second will take charge of the head only when it is the Skip's turn to bowl and their side is in possession of the rink mat and will inform the skip if the head has been altered and guide the play accordingly.

iv)  The second will chalk all touchers and remove chalk from any non-toucher.

v)   The second will remove any dead bowls from the ditch.

vi)  The second will see that the jack or any toucher in the ditch is not disturbed except by the action of another toucher.

vii) The second will not visit the head whilst at the delivery end and will remain behind the mat until the opposing second has bowled all his/her bowls at that end.

(e) LEADS

i)    The lead shall place the delivery mat and see that the jack is correctly centred on the jack line before playing the first bowl.

ii)   The leads shall play their bowls singly and alternately until all their bowls have been played.

iii) The leads will not visit the head or go to the head until all the other players at that end have bowled all their bowls, and will remain behind the fender.

 

12. DIRECTING PLAY

Only one player shall be allowed on the rink mat at the head end at any one time in order to direct play and then only when their side is in possession of the rink mat. They must leave the rink mat before the next bowl is bowled.

13. PLAY INFRINGEMENTS

(a) FOLLOWING THE BOWL UP THE RINK MAT

No player shall follow their bowl up to the head on the rink mat or leave the rink mat and follow it up the side. Any player who infringes this law must be warned as they cross the nearest dead line and on the second offence the opposing skip can have the bowl stopped and removed from the rink mat or have the end played again but it must be from the same direction.

(b) PLAYING BEFORE THE LAST BOWL COMES TO REST

A bowl played before the last bowl has come to rest must be stopped and removed from the rink mat. Any such bowl played that disturbs the head or makes contact with any bowl or jack, the opponent may leave the head as altered or declare it void. If declared void the end will be played again from the same direction.

(c) CHANGING THE ORDER OF PLAY

Players are not allowed to change their order of play during the game, but may change prior to commencement of the next game or leg. (A game consists of two or more ends.)

(d) PLAYING OUT OF TURN

i)   If a player plays before their turn, the opposing skip shall have the right to stop the bowl and cause it to be played again in its proper order.

ii)  If a bowl so played has moved the jack or altered the head, the opposing skip shall have the option of allowing the head to remain as it is or to declare it void.

iii) If the head is declared void it shall be replayed from the same direction.

iv)  If the head is allowed to remain in its new position, the other players will follow in the new order of play.

(e) PLAYING THE WRONG BOWL

A bowl played by mistake shall be replaced by the player’s own bowl.

(f) CHANGING BOWLS

No player shall change their bowls during a game unless they become damaged or objected to as not complying with the laws.

(g) LEAVING THE RINK MAT

i)   No player will leave the rink mat while a game is in progress without first consulting their opposite number and then for a period not exceeding ten minutes.

ii)   If during a team game a player is forced to leave the game through illness or any other just cause, their place may be taken by a substitute if both team captains agree.

iii)  Should the sick or indisposed player return after a substitute has joined the players at the rink mat, even though the substitute has not bowled, the player will not be allowed to rejoin the game, nor can he/she act as substitute in any other set.

iv)  Should the opposing team captain not agree to the playing of a substitute or should there not be a substitute available, the game shall continue with the missing player being classed as second.

(h) ABSENTEE PLAYERS

i)   If a player is absent from a side at the time laid down for the commencement of the game, a wait of ten minutes may be allowed.

ii)   If trial ends are played, they will take place, the missing player will forfeit his/her right to trial ends.

iii)  If a missing player arrives before the trial ends are completed, he/she will be allowed to play: only the trial ends are forfeited.

iv)  If the missing player has not arrived by the expiry of the time allowed, a single or pairs game will be awarded to the opponents.

v)   If the missing player has not arrived by the expiry of the time allowed, in triples or fours the game will commence with the missing player being considered as second and a definite order of play will be maintained. It shall be: Lead, Lead, Second, Lead, Lead, Second.

vi)  If a missing player arrives after the first bowl of the first end has been delivered, they will not be allowed to play.

(i) PLAYING WITH A PLAYER MISSING

There will be no penalty or extra bowls played by the side with a player missing, but in a triples or fours game, the missing player shall be considered a second and a definite order of play be maintained. It shall be Lead, Lead, Second, Lead, Lead, Second.

(j) OBJECTS ON THE RINK MAT

Under no circumstances shall any object to assist any player or to influence the play be placed on the rink mat, or on the fender, or on the jack, or on the bowl, or elsewhere.

NB: the only exception to the above rule shall be where objects are placed to assist a very severely disabled, visually handicapped or blind person, and only at the discretion of the SSMBF Council.

14. RESULTS OF AN END

The Shot or Shots

(a) A shot or shots will be adjudged to be the bowl or bowls nearest the jack, those bowls being nearer than any bowl or bowls of the opposite side.

(b) When the last bowl of the end comes to rest, 30 seconds shall elapse if either side requests it. During that time, no bowls shall be touched, chalked up, measured or interfered with. The request must be made as soon as the last bowl has come to rest.

(c) Neither the jack or bowls must be moved until both sides agree the result, except where a bowl or bowls have been removed to allow another to be measured. Only the player conceding the shots may remove the bowls from the rink mat. If a player

removes a bowl(s) before agreement has been reached, a penalty of one shot per bowl removed may be claimed by the opposing team.

(d) No measuring shall be allowed until after the last bowl has come to rest.

(e) Only one player from each team shall be allowed on the mat for the purpose of deciding the shot or shots scored.

15. MEASURING

(a) All measuring must be done with callipers, flexible measure or other equipment approved by the SSMBF.

(b) All measuring shall be to the nearest point of both objects.

(c) If a bowl requiring to be measured is resting on another bowl which prevents it being measured, the best means available shall be taken to secure it in position whereupon the other bowl shall be removed - the same applies if more than one bowl is involved. The use of hand or finger for this purpose is prohibited.

(d) The same applies if a bowl not so resting is in danger of falling before measuring is complete. If it falls it must be left in the new position and measuring then completed

(e) The placing of the hand or finger on the jack, or any bowl to be measured, constitutes disturbance and the opposing side shall claim the shot or shots, or refuse to acknowledge the shot or shots.

(f) Measuring by hand, foot, mat or any object other than the recognised measure is prohibited.

16. TIED END NO SCORE

When at the conclusion of an end, the nearest bowl of each side is touching the jack, or the two nearest bowls are of equal distance from the jack, or there are no bowls in the live area or touchers in the ditch, it shall be deemed to be a live end and no score; the end shall be recorded as a played end. The player who played first in the tied end shall again play first and it shall be played from the end where the last end finished.

17. LAST BOWL IN AN END

Nothing in these Laws shall be deemed to make it mandatory for the last player to play their last bowl in any end, but they should make their intentions known to the opposing side before commencement of the determination of the result of the end. Once they have declared, that bowl may not be played.

18. EXTRA END

(a) In the event of a draw at the conclusion of the game where a winner must be determined, an extra end shall be played.

(b) The team captains in a team game, or the leads in other games, shall toss for the start and the winners have the right to play first or second.

(c) The extra end shall be played from where the last end finished.

(d) If at the conclusion of the extra end it is still a draw, a further end will be played, the toss will again be made and the end played from where the last end finished.

19. GAME DECISIONS

The winner is the player or team with the higher number of shots or points at the end of the game.

20. CONDUCT

In the case of a wilful breach of the Laws of the Game, or unfair play, or unsporting conduct, the umpire may caution the offending player(s) or spectator(s), or order them to retire from the rink mat or area. If the offender is a player, no substitute shall be allowed. In all cases except serious misconduct, a player shall receive ONE caution.

 

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NO CODE OF LAWS AND RULES CAN GOVERN EVERY SITUATION AND THE UNFORESEEN CAN ARISE. WHERE AN INCIDENT OCCURS THAT CANNOT REASONABLY HAVE BEEN FORESEEN, IT IS HOPED THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY EXPRESS RULE, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND COMMON SENSE WILL PREVAIL.

 

DUTIES OF THE MARKER IN A SINGLES GAME

 

The marker shall:

(a) be familiar with the SSMBF Laws of the Game,

(b) be in possession of a reliable measure, callipers & chalk,

(c) be in possession of a score card and pen or pencil and will see the names of both contestants are entered,

(d) make themselves familiar with the identifying marks on the bowls of each player,

(e) witness the toss for start,

(f) see that the mat is correctly aligned and will place the jack on the line at the position required by the player to bowl first,

(g) observe strict neutrality,

(h) answer any question put to them by the players but will not give any information unless requested,

(i) not pass any comment,

(j) address only the person who has possession of the rink mat,

(k) record only the score agreed by the players,

(l) measure only when requested but will not cause any bowl to be moved until both players agree the shot or shots,

(m) in any difficult measure, not to attempt to adjudicate but will call the umpire to adjudicate,

(n) keep the players informed as to the state of the game,

(o) mark all touchers and remove marks from any non-touchers,

(p) remove all dead bowls from the ditch and dead area,

(q) adjudicate on all line bowls,

(r) on completion of the game, see that the scorecard is signed by the losing player and handed to the game controller or official.

 

DUTIES OF THE UMPIRE

 

The umpire shall:

(a) enforce the SSMBF Laws of the Game,

(b) see that the game is continuous and played in a competitive and sporting manner,

(c) be available for consultation on any matter or point of Law concerning the game,

(d) measure all difficult shots when requested: he/she will tolerate no interference and their decision is final and binding,

(e) arbitrate in any dispute and their decision is final,

(f) pass no comment, advice or praise,

(g) remain strictly neutral and unbiased at all times,

(h) be fully conversant with the Laws of the Game and any changes thereto,

(i) carry an up to date Rule Book at all times whilst officiating,

(j) measure only with such equipment as is approved by the SSMBF,

(k) follow the Code of Conduct for Umpires as laid down by the SSMBF.

Any dispute not provided for in these rules shall be decided by the umpire whose decision shall be final.

RULES FOR THE DISABLED

 

There are so many categories of disability that it would be impossible to formulate enough rules to cover every category. The whole thing will depend on a personal evaluation of how best each person can be helped to play the game on terms which are as equal as possible. This may mean the introduction of various aids such as 6ft chutes, but the most important thing is that we search for ways in which we can enable people with any kind of disability to play the game and not search for reasons why they cannot.

Players in Wheelchairs

The only rule here is that they are allowed to move their chairs to enable them to bowl both forehand and backhand. This can be achieved by the right-hander having their right-hand wheel within the right-hand delivery line when playing forehand and the same wheel inside the left-hand delivery line when bowling back-hand, and vice versa for the left-handed player. The above would apply to those people who are sat in an ordinary chair to play.

For the Registered Blind & Visually Handicapped

The rule here is simple insofar as they bowl both their bowls consecutively and the centre block is removed. They also have someone to give them verbal instructions.

Open Competitions

These are already taking place, with able-bodied and the disabled competing on equal terms and it is up to the organisers of such events and the umpires concerned to ensure that this equality is maintained as far as is humanly possible. There exists no known reason why anyone cannot play short mat bowls, whatever their disability: all it needs is a bit of thought and a lot of goodwill on the part of the organisers.

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