For those of you who do not know me my name is Mike Potter and I am the referees representative for the Mid-Shrophsire bowling league. I am responsible for arranging the match officials for all the league competition finals as well as officiating at many of the top matches in Shropshire.

Through this page I would like to increase the awareness of the rules of the game within Mid-Shropshire especially for the team captains who have to double up as match referees for league matches.

If you have any questions regarding the rules of the game please e-mail from the link below and I will be happy to answer them and post the answer on this page, I will even be happy to answer questions for players who do not play in the Mid-Shropshire League.

When you e-mail please include your name and Club which will give me an indication as to who I am responding to.

Colin (Edgmond)	I played a game a couple of weeks ago and was told that if a jack was sent out but not playable from either side [i.e. on a round mark or on a straight mark], it must be returned and the jack put out again to a place on the green where it can. I have checked the BCGBA rules but not able to find this ruling, is there any rule in existence but not used anymore? If so what is the ruling?
Mikes reply	Hi Colin, You are correct, the rule you are refering to about being able to approach the jack using either finger or thumb, no longer exists. If memory serves me correct, this law was removed about 15 years ago. This helped to increase the introduction of bowling greens that do not conform to the normal square shaped greens. There used to be a green at a hotel in Church Stretton that was a L shape with the green going around the corner of the hotel wall, making it impossible to see where the jack ended up without walking at least 10 yards from the footer. I have heard it said that some would like this to be reintroduced as a deterent to players sending the jack close to or through other ends, but this may also lead to the reintroduction of extending the length of the game(time wise) as the jack would probably have to be returned and reset several times. There are still a few players still unaware of the removal of this law hence it being quoted to you. Thanks for your question & Best Wishes for your continued enjoyment of our game and please contact me if you feel i may be of any further assistance regarding the laws of the game.
Kevin Hurst (club unknown)	If a player sends the jack ,and then his wood goes off the green then it is found that the mat is not 1m from the edge of the green, when the jack comes back does the play sill have two bowls.
Mikes Reply	To answer this question I will assume you are the player that sent the jack. You have sent the jack and your first bowl goes off the green. Your opponent considered you had placed the footer within 1 metre of the edge of the green but cannot object for a measurement to be taken before your first bowl has stopped running(in the gutter). When their objection to the mark is proved correct, after measuring the footer from the edge, the jack is returned for the opponent to set the mark. And as you did not set a legitimate mark in the first place, your first bowl is returned to you to bowl at the jack. This situation has the same outcome if you set a mark and bowled a front toucher. If your opponent objects to the length and it was proved not a mark then the front touching bowl is deemed not yet played. So your "off the green" bowl also deemed not yet played. So the answer to to your question is YES the player will be able to play both of their bowls at the end. You should also consider WHY the opponent would object to the mark knowing the players first bowl is already out of play, off the green.
Kevin Hurst (club unknown)	Can l pick up a wood that does not count before my opponent gets to the end
Mikes Reply	Thanks for your question. Quite simply the answer to your question is YES you may pick up a wood that does not count providing the wood is your own bowl that you do not wish to be counted and it is not touching another bowl. You may notice most players will remove their own bowls from play when they realise they will not affect the result of the end. If you have had a problem in this area I think it may be due to Laws 7.5 & 7.6 which state: 7.5 - Should any player of an end touch or displace a still jack or bowl before the end is complete, all the bowls of the offender(s) shall be forfeited at the end concerned. 7.6 - When an end is concluded neither the jack nor a bowl claimed to count may be moved without the consent of the opponent until the points are counted and all players are satisfied, otherwise all bowls of the offender(s) shall be forfeited at the end cocerned. The important part of this law is: neither the jack nor a bowl claimed to count may be moved without the consent of the opponent - as you are not wishing to count the wood you pick up then it is ok. I would however advise you not to remove any bowl if your opponents bowl is still running which may collide with yours as this means you have disturbed the end. If you do, both of your bowls will be forfeited. And NEVER move an opponents bowl without their consent. I hope this answer is of some help to you, and please feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance. Can I also advise all bowlers that following my request, the Mid Shropshire Bowling League has printed in agreement with the B.C.G.B.A. TheLaws of the Game in the 2007 League Handbook along with the Dress Code that will be strongly adhered to for all League competition finals. And if anyone has any queries, please send them to me and we will endeavour to answer them asap.
Ernie Bree (Much Wenlock)	Hi Mike When on the mat and have just bowled a wood am I still in charge of the mat until the wood has stopped or must I vacate the mat as soon as I have bowled? I have been told by an opponent to move as the mat was theirs as I was watching my wood approach the jack.
Mikes reply	Hi Ernie, You are quite right, you are allowed to keep possession of the footer/mat until your bowl has stopped running. Law 5.7 states "A player may retain possession of the footer until that player's bowl has ceased running." However, removing your foot/toe from the footer after delivering the bowl signifies you have handed the possession of the footer to your opponent and you must move away. I have seen some players stand (a foot or so) in front of the footer and watch their bowl. If this happens, you may ask the player to move as they are now obstructing your view from the footer which is now in your possession. I hope this answer will be of some help to you.
Beryl Steadman (Bylet)	Hi Mike What reare the rules (if any) re players following their woods to the head. I recently watched a final where players were constantly running after their woods as they travelled to the head (both 1st and 2nd woods). This practice is very distracting for both their opponent and for other players on the green at the time. Several observers commented on this practice and their reluctance to be playing their game when this was taking place are there any rules?
Mikes Reply	There are no rules preventing a player "following up" their bowls, however, the player must not obstruct the view of their opponent. Law 6.4 A player must not endeavour to affect the running of any bowl, nor follow it up in such a manner as to obstruct the view of the opponent. For a first offence, involving the player's own bowl, that bowl shall be forfeited. In the case of a further offence, the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. There are players that "follow up" their bowls, and although many don't have a problem with this, as you have said, it can be distracting to others. Most referees, in general, will not take any action unless a complaint is raised by the players opponent. We are usually alerted to this problem when a player calls out to an opponent to move away from the "land" or approaches the referee with the complaint. The referee will monitor the situation and take appropiate action if required. Although you can't stop an opponent from "following up", they are in violation of law 6.4 if they obstruct your view of their running bowl during it's course towards the jack. In a league game I would recommend you call out to the opponent to move off the land (they may not realise they are doing it) and if the problem continues, you should then consult your team captain (acting referee along with the opposing team capt) for advice. Personally, in my experience, most players that "follow up" their bowls usually do so when they believe their bowl is going to be close to the jack, which is why, you will never see me "follow up" any of my bowls. ! ! ! I hope this may be of some help to you enjoy our sport.

Gordon Vaughan	Hi Mike. In a game of doubles, if a player plays their partners bowl by mistake what is the outcome.
Mikes Reply	Thanks for your question. Law 5.13 not only covers the singles format of the game, it also covers doubles and triples etc. Law 5.13 If a player, in turn, delivers a bowl of another player, it shall be returned to the proper owner to be played, the offender forfeiting a bowl. In other words, if you play any bowl other than your own, it's returned to the owner/partner and you forfeit your bowl. I hope this helps answer your query and aids you to further enjoy our sport. Please feel free to contact me with any other queries.

Colin Stanley (Edgmond)	Can you please confirm to me what the ruling is as per the below Mid Shropshire Rules entry, as it can be perceived in a number of ways, and needs be changed to become less ambiguous. 9. No player shall play on an opponent's green within 7 days of a League match unless such match has been previously arranged. In the event of a player playing for two teams but the player ends up playing on one of the greens twice in one week, does the above rule come into effect? Either way I believe this needs redefining in the Rules, so no further confusion can take place.
Mikes Reply	The situation you are referring to is not covered under the Laws of the Game, but I will answer you query the best I can. The wording of the Mid Shropshire League rule "unless such match has been previously arranged." means that a player is allowed to play in competitions, and any other league's matches, that have been arranged to be played on a green. As competitions and other league's fixtures are deemed to be "previously arranged" the club cannot prevent the player from playing on their green. The rule does not permit a player to practice a green within the 7 days before the match, that player can be prevented from playing if it can be proved by the club. If you believe the rule,or any other rules, should be redefined or altered, I suggest you pproach your club secretary to request a review the league rules. In short, a player can only be prevented from playing in a league match if proven they have PRACTICISED the green within 7 days prior to the match. I hope this clarifies your situation.

Bridget Reeves (Edgmond)	Am I correct in thinking that when you call for long tapes against your opponent you should wait for their bowl to come to rest before doing so? Recently i had long tapes called against me, but my opponent called before my bowl had come to rest. What is the rule if this happens?
Mikes Reply	This incident would be dealt with under Law 4.4a, which reads, 4.4 a Verbal objection to a mark set by the leader must be made by the leader's opponent only after the first bowl has come to rest, otherwise the leader may have the jack, and bowl if played, returned to have another attempt at setting a mark. An opponent objecting to a mark must make an indication that an objection has been made. In this situation the referee should inform the opponent of their infringement of the law and offer the leader an option of either, 1) the leader has both the jack and their bowl returned for them to attempt a reset of the mark. or 2) the leader requests the measure to be taken with the understanding they will forfeit the jack to the opponent if the attempted mark is under 19 metres between the closest point of the jack and the centre of the footer. One sure way of preventing your opponent delivering their bowl before yours has ceased running is to employ Law 5.7, which states you may retain possession of the footer until it does.

Bridget Reeves (Edgmond)	Mike, What is the exact rule regarding smoking on the green? Does the 'whilst participating' exclude you from carrying a cigarrette onto the green whilst measuring? I know of someone who was told that they could be penalised for smoking on the green even when measuring, if this is the case how would the penalty work?
Mikes Reply	Hi, Law 11 Smoking is not allowed whilst participating on the green in the game of Crown Green Bowls. the offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score. The above law means the penalty can only apply to players during their own game. The "whilst participating" part does prevent a player smoking from the beginning of the first end through until the final point(s) have been decided at the last end to complete their game. I believe the law was introduced to help an opponent, who is usually in close proximity, not have to be subjected to the exhaled smoke of the smoker. Although not a smoker myself, I sympathise with players that have played the game many years and suddenly find they are prevented from smoking during their game. It is for this reason, but would not condone it, and providing the flow of the game is not disrupted, I would not object to a player taking a "sly puff" of a spectators cigarette on the sideline of the green. I recommend measurers should respect the law and their fellow sportspersons and not smoke when performing their duty. It would not be feasible to impose a penalty on a measurer, if they have already played their game or may not be a playing member of the team for that match. I hope this will help you further enjoy our sport, Bowls

Julie King (Bowring)	Could you explain what should happen if the wood is bowled before the jack has stopped and then the jack goes off the green? I thought it was classed as a 'dead bowl', but was told by my captain 'it just meant the jack is handed over to the other player'.
Mikes Reply	Your query can be dealt under law of the game 6.1 6.1 *A bowl played while the jack or preceding bowl is in motion shall be forfeited. You are correct, the player's bowlis deemed to be forfeited bowlas well as forfeiting the jack for the opponent's attempt to set the mark. In this case, the leader must bowl their remaining bowl towards the jack before the opponent delivers both of their bowls at the end. Rule 12 of the Mid Shrophire Bowling League rules for league matches states Unless the league otherwise decides, the Captains of each team shall act as referees* so My advice to Team Captains is to make themselvs familiar with the Rules of the Game which each club should have, as a bad decision can swing the result of a match.

Allan Davies (Abbey)	Some bowlers who I have noticed recently bowl the block between a Jack and stationary wood from a different end on the green, ie "through" another games end. Can you please clarify this for the benefit of myself and other readers of your column.
Mikes Reply	This practice does seem to be on the increase and I understand it is a very common practice up in the Yorkshire area. There are no rules/laws preventing the leader of the end from delivering the jack "through" another game. However, if there is a referee present, they may adjudge the jack, to be in such a position that jeopodises the safety of another end when bowls are delivered towards it and will return the jack for the mark to be reset. Some players may try to use the tactic as a distraction to their opponent. By bowling close to other bowls or jack, they are trying to put them off when they have to deliver their bowls. Although there are no rules, my advice to anyone who objects to this practice is to wait until the end that has been played through has been completed before delivering their bowl. If you did this every time the leader playing "through" an end, would soon realise that the only certain outcome of this practice is to slow the game down.

Steve Wall Albrighton	The rules state that when starting a game the start must be no more than 3 meters from the start point and at least 1 meter from the edge of the green, however it makes no mention of to the maximum distance from the edge of the green.
Mikes Reply	The reason why the footer must not be placed less than 1 meter from the edge of the green is for safety reasons, as your opponent may injure himself or herself if they slip into the gutter. The maximum distance from the edge of the green should be 3 meters, as long as you are starting immediately in front of the start point.