YE ANCIENT GAME OF BOWLES

NZ Truth, Issue 890, 16 December 1922, Page 9

YE ANCIENT GAME OF BOWLES

Some Poiats on Play

And Hints to Players.

(By 8.C.)

During the past few years, under more systematic conditions, there has been a remarkable revival of interest m the game of bowls, which, excepting archery, is the oldest surviving outdoor game m the world. Too many rules are apt to rob the game of its happy .freedom from restraint. Many of these may safely be left to that courtesy which is the attribute of the bowler everywhere. Certain uniform lines, however, are necessary.

The bowl must not exceed 16% inches m circumference or 3% 1b m weight, well rounded and the less flattened like a . "cheese" the better. Every player should select bowls of such shape that when held for playing his thumb and little finger will touch bot^h ivories. To enable them to be readily found among others on the green, each bowl should be branded m thick, plain, block letters with the owner's initials or emblem on both ivories. This obviates the objectionable custom of turning over bowls on the green to ascertain their ownership, which constitutes "burning" and renders them liable to be put out ot play. . N

Every bowler should remember that No. 3 is the minimum bias allowed. Except wHh„a cross wind No, 8 bias on a firm green will draw about six feet to a 30 yard jack.

. When a player is about to deliver his bowl all others except the skip or third player while actually directing must stand six feet behind the. mat and the jack respectively.

A bowl should never be delivered before the previous bowl has ceased to run or played out of turn. It Is a common occurrence to see players infringing when delivering.

* It should be understood that it is Incorrect to follow a bowl more than ten feet from the zone of delivery.

Under no consideration should a bowl be touched or Interfered with except by play, changed after play has commenced, or be carried up the greeii. In any such case the opposition has the option of putting it out of play m that head. Should a number of bowls be accidentally disturbed the head m every case must be re-played.

The importance of accurate manipulation of the jack cannot be too greatly emphasised. The jack is thrown by the lead whoso side. moved last, and who, therefore, plays first. Should the "kitty" be thrown less than 22 yards from the mat it is rethrown by the opponent; if thrown less than two yards from the ditch it must be moved to that distance, lt often happens that the jack is thrown to one side. When this occurs it is necessary to move it into*" line with the centre of the rink. If by hard play it reaches the ditch tlie opposition re-throws it, but does not (as often imagined) play first.

Should the jack run Into the ditch by play, its place must be marked. Then it can be placed on the' edge to show its position, but lt must be replaced immediately each bowl is delivered. When m the ditch the jack's position must not be altered except by a bowl previously a toucher. If by the effect of play It rebounds from the bank to the green lt must remain where lt lies.

It Is very important- to note that if the jack is ln a Bide ditch or beyond the limits of the rink the head is considered dead, but should any portion of lt be on the line play is not interfered with. Should the jack be disturbed, except by play. It is "burned" and may be restored or played to by agreement, falling whioh the head must be re-played.

How many bowlers when asked offhandedly can intimate the size of the mat? This article Bhould be 36 by 15 inches to receive the stride, and so nave the green. The correct position tor the mat is six feet from the ditoh and it should be placed there by the first player of the rink winning the toss. Afterwards it is placed by the lead of the rink who loßt the previous head. The winners, however, have the option of replacing lt, but it must not be moved after the jack is thrown. It Is the duty of the last player to remove tho mat to tho bank.

When playing it is essential that one foot at least must be on tho mat.

A measure of thin silk fishing line with wood or ivory ends should bo carried by every player. Small callipers aro used for close-lying bowls. The third player, who is the official measurer, only officiates when the head is finished.

When bowls aro resting one on the other they roust not be moved until the result of the measure is declared. Special attention is drawn to the measurement from the jack or a toucher In tho ditch to a bowl or Jack on the green. This measurement must be taken over the two sides of the angle with the cord bent.

A toucher is a bowl which touches the jack during its original course on the green. If it fails on to the jack after another bowl is delivered it is not deemed to be a toucher. It must bo chalked by tho third player before the second succeeding bowl Ih delivered, otherwise it is disqualified.

Should a toucher be accidentally moved outward whllo being chalked it must remain so; if movod inward it must bo restored lo its original place. Before tho bowl can bo replayed it is necessary to remove tho chalk mark otherwise it is liable to be put out of play. A toucher ln the ditch is considered a line ball. Whon ln this position It cannot be altered except by another toucher or tho jack.

Should the jack be "ditched" a bowl of this description cannot be made. If a toucher hits the jack during its original course, or subsequently and rebounds on the green, it is essential, that it- remains whfere - it lies. Any other bowl so rebounding is described as a "ditcher" and must be removed to the bank.

To avoid unnecessary confusion players would do well to understand that all bowls In the side ditch, or beyond the other limits of the rink, are dead without exception; On tho other hand any bowl, a .portion of which lies on the side of the line, is deemed alive.