New rule: Skips must keep score

Post date: Sep 29, 2018 2:07:45 PM

Any confusion as to whom in a rink should mark the card during a game has been clarified by the English Indoor Bowling Association.

In conjunction with its sister organisation, the outdoor game's regulators Bowls England, each has agreed that in future it's the skips' responsibility.

In future - even for domestic leagues played at affiliated clubs including Stamford IBC - the skip must mark and be responsible for the scorecard and counter sign it with his or her opposite number at the end of a game.

However, the skip can delegate the marking of the card to a colleague in his or her rink as long as the opposition agrees and the duty is performed by players, whose positions are the same in each rink. Ideally this would be No.2 in a triples or No.2 in a four.

Any dispute between team captains or skips can only be overcome by withdrawing the delegation of the card and it reverting to the skips.

This new decision (Rule 40.1.7.1) comes into force immediately.

FOOTNOTE:The rival English Bowling Federation and EWBF are already clear on which player in a rink (maximum three players). It must be held and scored by opposing No.2s, who also carry out any measuring unless delegated to the lead.

PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN FIRING

Bowlers at Stamford IBC are reminded that although it is part of the game, firing can be dangerous, especially when other players are not alerted to your intentions.

Bowls scattered from an over-enthusiastic firing shot can not only injure players on the rink not quick enough to anticipate the bowls' path but also those unaware on adjoining rinks.

In future, the club's management committee requests that when a player intends firing at a head of bowls or the jack, he or she respectfully advise the players on the rink and adjoining rinks to be aware.

Notices are already posted to this effect.