| 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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) 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 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 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) 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 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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 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. If two jacks are bowled
near the same place, the one that is last stationary must be returned. The
same player to have another 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, 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. |
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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 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 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 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. 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. 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 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 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 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 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. 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 of causing
injury to other players, Referee, Measurers or spectators by being struck
with a jack or bowls. A player shall receive a caution 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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) 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, (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 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 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 shall be allowed and the
game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive the
minimum score and the opponents 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) 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 colour with white mounts and spots, white or yellow in
colour with black mounts and spots. In place of mounts, composition jacks may
have engraved circles of approximately the diameter of the mounts or spots
and filled with the appropriate colour. Jacks manufactured before 1st.January
1994 must weigh a minimum of 567grams and a maximum of 680grams and the
height must be a minimum of 95mm 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 to 30th September the next year.
(i.e. jacks manufactured or re-tested between 1st.October and 31st.December
will bear the stamp 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 specification, may be
refurbished in order to comply with the 1994 specification. All jacks
submitted for refurbishment must be re-tested 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 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 |
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| January
15th. 2005 |
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