Montestan's take on bowls
Last week we covered a bit on bias so let’s continue with this subject and see how it affects the art of bowling.
Right, we know the bowls have bias but how do we go about using this facility. For one, if bowls did not have a bias, the game would become almost like an elongated form of skittles. You would be just bowling straight at the jack and as the game progressed the only way to get at it would be to knock the opponent’s bowls out of the way.
Okay, this is a rudimentary observation leaving rules of play and numbers out, which I will come to later. Having a bias to the bowl enables you to not only knock your opponent’s bowls out of the way, but also to come around bowls, come into the jack from the side or position your bowl behind it from either left or right. This makes the game more technical and interesting and requires good judgement and skill.
You say I get that. But how do I know what side has the bias and if I am right or left handed how do I go about using it?
All manufacturers mark their bowls on one side with their logos as well as a personal identification logo with large rings, and, normally, a small ring including the technical specification and WB stamp, serial number and date of the bowl on other side. This does differ from each manufacturer but generally they are all similar.
They place their large data on the side that, when facing outwards and being delivered by a right-handed player, the bowl swings to the left (forehand). By reversing the position with the large data facing out to the left the bowl will swing in to the right (backhand). So, it is possible to see that by this way of marking you can, by just rotating the bowl, swing it either left or right to arrive at the desired position. For left handed players the same applies, so by having the large data facing outwards to the left it will swing in to the right and inwards to the left. Sounds confusing, but it’s very easy to get once you have given it a try.
Going back to marks on the bowls. Here are some of the rules that cover the above:
52.1.8 The Controlling Body can supply adhesive (stick on) markings for players to temporarily fix to both sides of their bowls, or allow players to use their own markings. When these are used:
52.1.8.1 They are part of the bowl for all purposes under the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.
52.1.8.2 They must not be put over the serial number and World Bowls Stamp.
52.1.8.4 All bowls belonging to players within a team or side must have these markings on them and the markings must all be of the same design and colour. However, players may use markings which are a different size from those used by others in their team or side where this is necessary due to differences in sizes of either the manufacturer’s rings or distinguishing marks on the bowls.
On the light-hearted side, and without going into the rules of play at the moment, everyone, either at the top of the game or beginner, has sent a bowl down with the wrong bias. If your’e just practising or playing with mates not a problem apart from shouts ‘It’s your round at the bar’ or similar.
Nevertheless, if you’re in a league match or competition where rinks next to yours are in play the fun starts. Players start doing a modified version of the Creole Rain Dance or hop about like fleas on LSD shouting ‘stop that bowl’ as the rogue ball heads towards their head at about 19kph. Hopefully someone will grab it before it ploughs in and destroys their ‘head’. As mentioned, there are some terms and rules that apply here but we will cover them later on. Bye for now!
Vistabella Bowls Club is sponsored by: Venture Fleet Services, TV Choice, Oneway Services, Serenity Insurance, Carpet Heaven. The Winter League is sponsored by Laguna Tavern, Entre Naranjos.
How about coming and having a go at bowling, we would be pleased to see you. We can arrange a free session and lesson. You could get hooked, it’s a fabulous game and a very sociable one, where you will meet lots of new friends.
Established bowlers are also most welcome, we have a brand new green and are looking for new members.
Please contact Club Captain, David Jenkins at pacadasu@ yahoo.com or Charlie Watkins charlieatpathways@yahoo.co.uk