The Laws of the Sport of Bowls are clearly as stated in the Crystal Mark Edition. Should there be any dispute the bottom line is that the Laws of the Sport of Bowls should be the reference point.

In all matches ‘directly under the control of Bowls England and the County Association’ then the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, as printed, must be strictly adhered to at all times:

 

But

 

In friendly games it is common practice to see 15 ends (or variations) being played, in others ‘counting 1 on the first two ends’ and also the practice of playing no trial ends -  all STRICTLY against the Laws BUT if both teams agree (which they have over many years) to some of the aforementioned then the No 2’s keeping the card is no different.

 

However

 

At all times Bowls England members should be encouraged to adhere to the Laws of the Sport. If not, why have them in the first place?

 

Please see further details below:-

 

Statement on Player’s Duties

 

Bowls England has received several enquiries regarding the change in player's duties contained within Section 37 of the Laws of the Sport Crystal Mark Second Edition, with regard to the new law requiring the skip to now be responsible for the score card in all games - pairs, triples and fours.

 

The proposed amendments to 37.1.7, 37.1.8 and 37.1.9 formed part of the consultation of changes that were displayed for comment on the Bowls England website for several months last year prior to our Chief Executive attending the World Bowls Biennial Council Meeting in Delhi in October 2010.

 

World Bowls controls the Laws of the Sport of Bowls and all the countries from the world were present when this new law was passed unanimously.

 

In the pairs and triples the skips normally keep the score card, therefore this revised law brings all games in line with one another.

 

Many have asked what penalty there is for not adhering to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls and the English Bowls Umpires Association has issued the following statement:

 

There is no penalty but any offending skips are informed that at the end of the game their team’s card will be rejected if not kept by the skip. The only official card that is acceptable is the one kept as per Law 37.1.7.

 

Law 37.1 ('The Skip') now states:

 

37.1.7 The skip should:

 

37.1.7.1 be responsible for the score card supplied by the Controlling Body while play is in progress;

 

37.1.7.2 enter the names of all players of both teams on the score card;

 

37.1.7.3 record, on the score card, all shots scored for and against the team as each end is completed;

 

37.1.7.4 compare the score card with that of the opposing skip as each end is completed; and

 

37.1.7.5 at the end of the game, record on the score card the time that the game finished and then sign it.

 

37.1.8 If a Member National Authority agrees to a scoreboard being used instead of one of the score cards, the skip of the team which won the toss for opening play should update the scoreboard and the opposing skip should deal with the score card as described in law 37.1.7

 

37.1.9 Skips can, at any time, delegate their own powers and any of their own duties (except those described in laws 37.1.7 and 37.1.8) to any other members of the team as long as they tell the opposing skip immediately.

 

 

Kind Regards

Tony Allcock MBE
Chief Executive 
BOWLS ENGLAND 
 
t.  01903 820222

f.  01903 820444

w. www.bowlsengland.com