High Peak Indoor Bowling

RULES OF PLAY

Foreword from the World Bowls Crystal Mark Third Edition laws of the game: "No laws governing a sport can cope with every situation, and the laws governing the sport of bowls are no exception. Unusual situations not covered within the laws can often arise. The Laws of the Sport of Bowls have been drawn up in the spirit of true sportsmanship. So, if a situation arises that is not covered by these laws, players, markers and umpires must use their common sense and a spirit of fair play to decide on the appropriate course of action."

HPIB play to the World Bowls Laws with the following clarification:

  1. All matches to be a maximum of eighteen Ends or as many as can be completed in two hours. No End is to be started after the whistle which is five minutes before the close of the session.
  2. The delivery mat can go at the back or at the front of the 'T'.
  3. If the jack is bowled between the marker line and the 'T' it is centred at the length that it stops.
  4. If the jack is bowled between the 'T' and the ditch it is placed back on the 'T'.
  5. If the jack does not reach the marker line or is bowled into the ditch the opponent must centre the jack anywhere between the marker line and the 'T'.
  6. If a bowl does not reach the centre line it is removed.
  7. If a bowl reaches the white line at the ditch it is dead and is removed.
  8. A bowl that is bowled and comes into contact with the jack before coming to rest is a 'Toucher'. All Touchers are marked and if they go into the ditch they are still live but remain in their final resting place.
  9. If the jack is knocked into the ditch it is left where it comes to rest and is not allowed to be moved for the the duration of the End. No subsequent bowls can become Touchers.
  10. If the jack is knocked off the side of the mat the End is void and is replayed. A drawn End is replayed if time allows.
  11. All players should be present five minutes before the start of the session. A practice End may be played if time allows.
  12. When a team is short of a player the first two bowlers will each play three bowls. The total scored by the three players will be multiplied by three and divided by four.
  13. Striking is not permitted.
  14. Skip is not allowed to go up and look at the head after opponent has played.
  15. Players must use completely flat and unpatterned footwear that has not been worn outdoors. If a player is unable to supply such footwear then they must use the plastic overshoes available to borrow on request.
  16. The Committee is the sole interpreter of the rules.

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