Clothing 

• When practicing, or playing in a roll up,  casual  attire is permitted

• Flat i.e. no 'heel' shoes must always be worn on grass 

• Club matches require navy trousers, shorts or skirt and club shirt 

Etiquette 

 Arrive at ground about half an hour before time of start, identify changing rooms and change into match gear. Don't wear bowls shoes on the street.

• Find person in charge of your team to ensure they know you are there, and pay any fees required.

• Shake hands or fist punch with opponents before and after match, don't criticize or belittle opposition or your team mates. Acknowledge 'flukes' with good grace.

• Be ready to bowl at your turn, but stand at least a metre behind the player bowling. Leave the mat as soon as your bowl has stopped, but not before. Watch its path until it has stopped.

• Stand still behind the head. Be aware of rinks to left and right and minimise distraction.

• Don't interfere with the scoring / measuring. You may point out to your no. 3 something they may have missed but don't 'get involved'!

• After a match it is a friendly gesture that you offer, and purchase a drink for your opposite number when playing at home. Not usual in Ladies, Over 55's or RMTL but frequently in MDL and Friendlies. 

Equipment

Bowls (aka woods) -  don't buy until you know the game is for you and you have tried different sizes to see what's comfortable for you. The club has various sets, and it's always worth asking other members for advice. Sets are often available for purchase from other members, at other clubs, eBay as well as dedicated sports shops. 

• Chalk - at some time you'll play in a position that requires you to mark bowls that have touched the jack. 

• A measure - again, in those positions you will need a measure to ascertain who's closest to the jack.

• Scorecard holder - not obligatory but handy, and a pen.

• A small towel to clean / dry bowls.  

The Set Up

 In 'Rink' play teams consist of 4 players, 2 bowls each,  whose roles are: 

• Lead - who has the job of setting and centring the jack and of getting their 2 bowls as close as possible to the jack. The Lead also collects the bowls with a 'pusher' if the opposition is setting the mat.

• Number 2 - again trying to get as close as possible to the jack and thus build a 'head', the term for the bowls surrounding the jack. Number 2 may be given the card to score.

• Number 3 - might be trying to move some opposition bowls away, or move own team's bowls nearer. It may be necessary to put bowls in the way - blockers - or to use weight to disturb the head and allow the skip to have access to the jack. The number 3 will be responsible for directing the skip as to which direction to bowl. It is also the number 3's role to measure and agree on the score at each end.

• Skip - goes last and tries to improve the situation if his/her team is nearest - holding- or to rescue situation if team is 'down'.

In 'Triples' the role of number 3 transfers to number 2 and each player has 3 bowls.

If a bowl touches the jack before it stops it is chalked to identify it and remains 'live' even if it goes to the rear ditch. Any others that go in the ditch are removed as are bowls that leave the sides of the rink. 

 Games

• Ladies league - Ladies only, 3 rinks of three players, three woods. Sheets on board. Games are played over 18 ends.

• Mid Devon League - Four rinks of four players Men only. Games are played over 21 ends.. Team Sheets are displayed on the board.

• Riviera Mixed Triple League (RMTL) - a league to give new players opportunities to develop their skills, practice under match conditions and try different roles. Three rinks of three players which must have both genders per rink. Matches usually played on Thursdays at 10:00am. Games are played over 18 ends.  Sheets on the board. 

• OVER 55s - 'V' & 'W' teams, Men only. Each have two rinks of three players 3 bowls. Matches are played normally on Wednesdays at 10:00am. Team Sheets on the board. Games are played over 18 ends. 

• Friendlies - visiting teams, either local or on tour, usually afternoons, mid-week or weekend. Mixed, number of rinks vary. Team Sheets on board. Games are played over 18 or 21 ends agreed by the captains of the day. To play you register your availability on sheets on the board in men's and ladies' changing rooms, from which the Captains choose the players and their rink positions. If selected you must acknowledge your selection with a tick so the Captain is aware.

Club Competitions

 These are open to all members, forms are available at the beginning of the season. The Competition Secretary will do a random draw and post matches in the folder.

Contact

For more information, advice and guidance, please email us at kingsbowlsclub@gmail.com

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