| LAWS OF THE GAME OF CROWN GREEN BOWLS |
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| D. DEFINITIONS |
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| D.1.a - The LEADER is the player who has the first attempt to set a mark, and shall deliver the first bowl after any attempt to set a mark. |
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| D.1.b - In pairs there shall be no changing in the order of play until the end is complete. |
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| D.2 - A PRECEDING BOWL or JACK is a bowl or jack delivered immediately before the bowl in question. |
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| D.3 - A FORFEITED BOWL is a bowl taken off the green as a penalty for an offence under the Laws. |
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| D.4 - A DEAD BOWL is a bowl that cannot be counted and shall be taken off the green so as not to interfere with play. |
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| D.5 - An END: commences when the leader delivers the jack, is concluded when the last bowl finishes running and is completed when the score |
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| is agreed |
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| D.6 - A VOID END is an end to be replayed with the footer placed as near as possible to where it originally lay during the void end. |
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| D.7 - A DEAD END is an end which is deemed to have been completed with no score. The new end should be started from where the jack lay. |
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| D.8 - LAND: is the term used for the route taken by a jack and is then extended to cover the route that may be taken by any of the bowls |
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| at that end. It is also the expression used to indicate to any other player that they are causing a physical or visual blockage. |
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| D.9 - JACK-UP: is called by either player when a jack other than their own ceases running on, or adjacent to, the land which they will, or may, |
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| use to send their bowl/s |
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| D.10 - MEASUREMENTS: are taken between the nearest points of the jack and a bowl with nothing to lie between. The adjustable end of an |
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| approved measure must be taken to the jack. In the case of the footer the adjustable end of the certified tape is taken to the centre of the footer. |
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| D.11 - A STRIKE is a bowl delivered at such a speed as to attempt to negate the bias. |
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| D.12 - A MARK is set by the leader sending the jack, to rest on the green, a distance of at least 19 metres. |
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| 1. EQUIPMENT |
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| 1.1 - The GREEN shall be a playing area of grass, or an artificial surface as approved by the B.C.G.B.A. |
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| 1.2 - The ENTRANCE, which must be near the centre of any one side of the playing area, shall be plainly marked. |
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| 1.3 - The FOOTER, which shall be round, shall have a diameter of not less than 128mm (5 inches) and not more than 154mm (6 inches). |
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| 1.4 - STANDARD JACKS as defined in Appendix A shall be used in all competitions. A jack must only be used for the purpose of setting a mark. |
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| 1.5 - A BOWL shall weigh not less than (2lb), except that a player with medical evidence of a wasting disease of bone or muscle may |
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| be allowed a dispensation. A bowl must not have any device for altering or adjusting the bias. |
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| 1.6 - The following are approved by the B.C.G.B.A. as measuring devices to be used in accordance with the Laws of the Game. |
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| (APPROVED MEASURES) |
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| 1. A tape or other certified metric measure at least 19 metres long. |
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| 2. Any Crown Green metal measure. |
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| 3. Any form of string measure. |
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| 4. Any telescopic measure. |
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| 5. Callipers. |
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| 6. Feeler gauges. |
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| 2. THE GAME |
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| 2.1 - The game shall be played on a green by two players each having two bowls, normally playing alternately until each shall have delivered |
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| both bowls, the object being to play the bowls as near as possible to the jack. |
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| 2.2 - Where more than two players take part in a game, these Laws shall operate when applicable. |
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| 2.3 - Before commencing play the number of points to be scored to make the game shall be fixed. |
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| 2.4 - The leader at the first end shall be as determined by the organising body of the match. |
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| 2.5 - At the commencement of a game the footer may be placed by the leader, but must be within three metres of the entrance |
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| to the green, on either the left or right side and one metre from the edge. |
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| 2.6 - If during the course of play any player is found to have substituted a non-standard jack for a standard jack, or has altered the bias of the |
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| jack or bowl(s) by any means, or is playing with a bowl having a device for adjusting the bias, that player shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) |
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| to receive the minimum score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 2.7 - If during the course of a match, any jacks are found to be not in accordance with Appendix A, the affected games shall be declared |
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| void and restarted with standard jacks. |
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| 2.8 - No player shall be allowed to change the jack or bowls during the progress of a game except with the consent of the Referee and |
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| then only if, in the Referee's opinion, the jack or bowls are so damaged as to be unplayable. |
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| 3. SCORING |
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| 3.1 - A bowl must be played at least three metres from the footer and rest on the green to count, except when all the bowls of the opponent(s) |
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| are out of play |
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| 3.2 - The winner of an end is the player whose bowl is nearest the jack or, if all the bowls of the opponent(s) are out of play, still has at |
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| least one bowl in play. The winner shall be the leader and have the first attempt to set a mark at the succeeding end. In pairs either |
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| of the winning pair may be the leader at the next end. |
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| 3.3 - The winner of each end will count one point for each bowl nearer to the jack than the nearest bowl of the opponent(s) or, |
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| if all the bowls of the opponent(s) are out of play, one point for each bowl still in play. |
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| 3.4 - The result of the end shall be clearly indicated, by the winner, to the markers who must sit together and agree each other's score |
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| cards every third end and at the end of the game. Where the score cannot be agreed, by the markers or players, it shall revert |
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| to the end where both score cards show the score to be in agreement. |
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| 4. SETTING A MARK |
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| 4.1 - In an attempt to set a mark, a player bowling the jack must allow the opponent(s) the opportunity of seeing with what bias it is delivered, |
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| and of watching its course from a point near the footer. |
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| 4.2 - A mark is set when the jack having been bowled, does not go off the green, is not prevented from going off by resting against anything |
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| at the edge or in the channel or, after lawful objection, is proved by measurement, with a certified measure, to be at least 19 metres |
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| from the footer, with the footer at least 1 metre from the edge. |
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| 4.3 - If the jack in its course is impeded in any way, or stops on the land of other players, it must under all circumstances be returned. |
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| If two jacks are bowled near the same place, the one that is last stationary must be returned. The same player to have another |
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| attempt at setting a mark. |
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| 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, |
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| otherwise the leader may have the jack, and bowl if played, returned to have another attempt at setting a mark. An opponent objecting |
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| to a mark must make an indication that an objection has been made. |
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| 4.4.b - If, after an objection to a mark has been made, it is proved by measurement to be a mark, the jack and bowl shall remain. |
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| 4.5 - If the leader fails to set a mark, the leader's opponent is then entitled to an attempt at setting a mark. In pairs this will be the player |
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| waiting to follow the leader. |
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| 4.6 - If the leader fails to set a mark, objection to an attempt by the opponent must be made by the leader before delivering the first bowl. |
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| 4.7 - If the opponent then fails to set a mark, the leader shall have another attempt and so on, alternately, until a mark has been set |
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| by one of them. The original leader to play the first bowl. |
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| 4.8 - When the leader, having had an attempt to set a mark, is prevented from delivering the first bowl through a tape on the green during the |
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| measure of a mark from another end, or if the first bowl is impeded, the jack may be returned for the leader to have another attempt at setting a mark. |
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| 4.9 - The first attempt to set a new mark, after a dead end, shall be made by the same player who set the mark in the dead end. |
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| Any dead or forfeited bowls are reinstated for the new end. |
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| 4.10 - The first attempt to set a new mark, after a void end, shall be made by the same player who set the mark in the void end. |
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| Any dead or forfeited bowls to be reinstated for the new or replayed end. |
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| 5. METHOD OF PLAY |
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| 5.1 - At no time may the footer be used with the centre less than one metre from the edge of the green. |
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| 5.2 - Objection to the placement of the footer must be made by the leader's opponent only after the first bowl has come to rest or, if in the |
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| leader's first attempt at setting a mark, the jack goes off the green. If the footer is then found, by measurement, to be incorrectly placed the |
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| end shall be re-started, with the footer correctly placed, the opponent attempting to set the mark, otherwise play shall continue. |
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| 5.3 - A player's foot must be placed on the footer when delivering either the jack or a bowl. A player placing the right foot on the footer must play |
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| the jack and bowls with the right hand, and a player placing the left foot on the footer must play jack and bowls with the left hand. Nothing |
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| in this Law shall apply to any player who suffers a permanent disability of a limb. |
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| 5.4 - A player must bowl with the same hand throughout the game. |
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| 5.5 - Any bowl not played in accordance with Laws 5.3 and 5.4 may be stopped by the Referee and returned to be played again. |
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| If a player offends again during the course of the game, the bowl wrongly played shall be forfeited. |
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| 5.6 - Players are required to give a verbal warning to their opponent and to take every precaution before striking, to eliminate the possibility |
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| of causing injury to other players, Referee, Measurers or spectators by being struck with a jack or bowls. A player shall receive a caution |
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| for the first transgression of this Law. For a second offence, the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive |
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| no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 5.7 - A player may retain possession of the footer until that player's bowl has ceased running. If a player has taken up the footer after playing |
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| a bowl, which for any reason has to be replayed, or if the footer is accidentally displaced during an end, it shall be replaced as nearly as |
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| possible in its former position |
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| 5.8 - If the leader's first bowl has been forfeited, the leader's remaining bowl shall be played, followed by the opponent playing two bowls |
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| consecutively |
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| 5.9 - If the first bowl of the leader's opponent has been forfeited, the leader's remaining bowl shall be played, followed by the opponent playing |
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| the last bowl |
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| 5.10 - A player may play a bowl so as to block an opponent's course, but a bowl must not be placed, or played a distance less than three |
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| metres from the footer, otherwise it shall be a forfeited bowl. |
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| 5.11 - If a player has taken up position on the footer and a bowl falls from that player's hand, even by accident, and travels more |
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| than 3 metres, from the centre of the footer, in a forward direction, it shall be deemed to have been played. |
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| 5.12 - If a player delivers any bowl out of turn it must be returned to be played in its proper turn. |
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| 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. |
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| 5.14 - A player, when at the end where the jack lies, must not stand directly behind the jack or obstruct the view of an opponent. |
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| 5.15 - After each end is concluded, the footer shall be placed at the jack by the last player. The footer may only be repositioned by the leader |
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| of the next end and before the first attempt to set a mark, anywhere within a space of one metre from where the jack lay at the conclusion |
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| of the last end but at least one metre in from the edge of the green. |
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| 6. RUNNING JACK OR BOWL |
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| 6.1 - A bowl played while the jack or preceding bowl is in motion shall be forfeited. |
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| 6.2 - If a running jack or bowl appears to be in danger of striking a still bowl or jack belonging to another end, such running jack or bowl |
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| should be stopped and returned to be replayed. |
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| 6.3 - If a running bowl is impeded in any way, except by either player, it must be played again. If a running bowl is impeded by either player, |
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| all the offender(s) bowls shall be forfeited at that end. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 6.5 - Should a player attempt to influence the running of an opponent's bowl, all the offender(s) bowls shall be forfeited at that end. |
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| 6.6 - A bowl played or struck off the green, or prevented from going off by resting against anything at the edge or in the channel, is a dead bowl. |
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| 7. STILL JACK OR BOWL |
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| 7.1.a - If, as a result of a lawfully played bowl, the jack is disturbed and goes off the green, or is prevented from going off by resting against |
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| anything at the edge or in the channel, that end shall be dead. If, after a legitimate mark has been set, the jack goes off the green, the footer |
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| should be placed one metre in from the point where the jack left the green, the same player setting the mark. Any dead or forfeited bowls |
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| to be reinstated |
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| 7.1.b - If the disturbed jack comes into contact with a bowl or jack not belonging to that end, or if it comes into contact with any person |
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| on the green the end becomes void. |
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| 7.2 - If, as a result of a lawfully played bowl, the jack or any bowls are disturbed and come into contact with other bowls belonging to that end, |
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| the jack and any bowls so disturbed must remain where they stop. |
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| 7.3 - If, as a result of a bowl wrongly played, the jack or any lawful bowl already played is disturbed, such jack or bowls shall be |
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| replaced as near as possible in their original positions. |
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| 7.4 - If the jack or any bowl is displaced by the jack or a bowl of any other players, or by any exterior cause, and the players agree |
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| as to the spot of replacement, the end must be continued, otherwise the end is void. |
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| 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) |
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| shall be forfeited at the end concerned. |
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| 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 |
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| the points are counted and all players are satisfied, otherwise all bowls of the offender(s) shall be forfeited at the end concerned. |
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| 8. MEASURING |
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| 8.1 - No measurement of an end is permitted until the end is concluded. |
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| 8.2 - When an end is being measured, all players must stand away and not interfere with the actions of either the Referee or Measurer(s). |
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| 8.3 - The Referee or Measurers are not permitted to place either their thumb or finger(s) on either the jack or a bowl when measuring an end. |
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| 8.4 - In the event of the displacement of the jack or a bowl being measured any points already given shall stand. If no points have been given |
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| when all measurements are finished, the end is complete. If either the jack or a bowl being measured is displaced by a player, that player |
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| shall lose the point claimed. |
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| 8.5 - When a bowl is touching either the jack or another bowl, and has to be removed so that nothing lies between the jack and the bowl |
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| to be measured, it must be removed by the Referee and the measurement made after such removal. |
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| 9. REFEREE, MEASURERS AND PLAYERS |
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| 9.1 - Referees are instructed to insist that games are carried out strictly in accordance with the Laws of the Game. |
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| 9.2 - No person, other than the players and the Referee, is allowed on the green (except Measurers when their services are required). |
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| 9.3 - If, after commencing a game, any player shall refuse or is unable to continue, the Referee shall decide on the point at issue. |
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| 9.4 - Should a player further refuse to continue the game, that player shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score |
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| and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 9.5 - Should a player leave sight of the green without informing the opponent and obtaining the permission of the Referee, that player shall |
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| forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 9.6 - If a player has to stop play or leave the green due to any incident, and is unable to resume play before the finish of the match, |
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| (or that round in a competition), the opponent(s) shall be awarded the game. The score of the player who left the green to remain as it stood |
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| and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 9.7 - In the case of any wilful breach of the Laws of the Game or any unfair play or unsporting conduct, the Referee may caution the offending |
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| player(s) or spectator(s), or order them to retire from the game or the surrounding area of the green. In the case of players, no substitutes |
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| shall be allowed and the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive the minimum score and the opponent(s) |
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| to receive the maximum score. |
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| 9.8 - A player receiving a second verbal caution shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) |
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| to receive the maximum score. |
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| 9.9 - If, during the course of a game, it becomes so dark that the jack cannot be seen distinctly from the footer, the player may request to have |
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| a light exhibited at the jack, or may appeal to the Referee, whose decision shall be final, for the game to be suspended. |
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| 9.10 - In the event of a suspension owing to the above cause or any other unforeseen circumstances, the points scored by each player shall |
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| stand and the position of the jack shall be marked. Ends should be completed if possible, games being restarted from an agreed point as near |
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| as possible to where the jack lay at the last end played. |
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| 10. MOBILE TELEPHONES AND PAGERS |
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| 10.1 - Mobile phones or pagers in active mode are not allowed on the green. Should a player fail to comply, that player shall forfeit the game. |
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| The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score. |
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| 11. SMOKING |
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| Smoking is not allowed whilst participating on the green in the game of Crown Green Bowls. The offending player(s)shall receive no further |
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| score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score. |
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| 12. DISPUTE NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE LAWS |
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| 12.1 - Any dispute arising which is not provided for in the foregoing Laws shall be decided by the Referee whose decision shall be final. |
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| 13. ALTERATION OF LAWS |
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| 13.1 - The Laws of the Game and interpretation thereof are the copyright of the British Crown Green Bowling Association, and from its |
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| decisions there shall be no appeal either at Law or otherwise. |
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| 13.2 - None of these Laws shall be altered except as provided by the Association's Bye-Laws numbered 16 and 17 for the alteration of Rules |
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| and Bye-Laws |
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| APPENDIX A - A STANDARD JACK |
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| 1. The game shall be played with standard Jacks of 2 full bias as approved by the British Crown Green Bowling Association. |
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| Jacks manufactured after 1st.March 2004 shall be black or yellow in colour. They shall weigh 666grams plus or minus 10grams. |
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| The width shall be 90.5mm plus or minus 0.5mm. The height shall be 98mm plus or minus 0.5mm. |
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| There shall be on both sides an engraved circle, the outer edge of which shall be 20mm in diameter plus or minus 1mm. There shall be three |
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| solid inserted spots on the non-bias side which shall be white in black jacks and black in yellow jacks. These spots shall be 6mm in diameter |
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| and shall be spaced equidistant from each other at a radius of 19mm plus or minus 1mm from the centre of the engraved circle to the centre |
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| of the inserted spots. The engraved circles shall be coloured in unison with the inserted spots. |
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| All new standard jacks shall bear the manufacturer's name on the bias side. They shall be branded BCGBA and the code letter of the official |
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| tester will be inserted within the recognised kidney shaped stamp. Standard jacks shall not be numbered or lettered. |
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| Evidence of ownership shall be made on the non-bias side. Manufacturers shall be allowed to use their own distinctive configuration |
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| of grip marks, the pattern of which shall be registered with the B.C.G.B.A. |
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| 2. Jacks manufactured between 1st.January 1994 and 1st.March 2004 must weigh a minimum of 653grams and a maximum of 680grams. |
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| The height must be a minimum of 97mm and a maximum of 98.5mm and confirm to the agreed standard profile. They shall be black in |
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| colour with white mounts and spots, white or yellow in colour with black mounts and spots. In place of mounts, composition jacks may have |
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| engraved circles of approximately the diameter of the mounts or spots and filled with the appropriate colour. Jacks manufactured before |
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| 1st.January 1994 must weigh a minimum of 567grams and a maximum of 680grams and the height must be a minimum of 95mm |
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| and a maximum of 98.5mm. |
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| 3. New and renovated jacks shall be stamped with the year of expiry and for this purpose the year shall be reckoned from 1st. October |
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| to 30th September the next year. (i.e. jacks manufactured or re-tested between 1st.October and 31st.December will bear the stamp |
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| of expiry from the following year). All jacks shall be re-tested at no more than seven-yearly intervals. |
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| Addendum |
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| Jacks manufactured after 1st.March 2004 needing renovation or alteration which would then render them unable to meet the 2004 |
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| specification, may be refurbished in order to comply with the 1994 specification. All jacks submitted for refurbishment must be re-tested |
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| and re-stamped at the completion of the work. |
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| The following Companies are the officially appointed and only recognised Standard Jack Makers and Bias-Testers to the British Crown |
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| Green Bowling Association |
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| Manufacturers & Testers Code |
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| Thomas Taylor (Bowls) Ltd., Glasgow Letter A |
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| Henselite (Australia) Pty Ltd., Australia Letter N |
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| E.A.Clare & Son Ltd., Liverpool Letter X |
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| 2Up Crown Green Bowls Letter F |
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| Swallows of Warrington (Bowls) Letter H |
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| Testers Only Code |
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| Premier Bowls, Stockport Letter C |
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| Pershore Bowls Centre Letter D |
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| Crown Sports Ltd., Dewsbury Letter L |
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| K & S Ltd., Chester Letter M |
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| Exhall Bowling Services, Coventry Letter V |