New-format bowls may see members become incensed

MEDDLING with a triedand-tested formula is never a wise thing.

In lawn bowls the premier format is fours; four players per side armed with two bowls, contesting 21 ends.

But then came change. From a Western Province point of view, Flag (men) and Muter (women) fours competitions have been played under different circumstances for the past few years.

The first tinkering saw teams battle it out over 18 ends (three-end tiebreaker in play if two skins were shared), then came a 20-end game with two 10-end skins on the line.

Members had their say on both occasions, so no quibbles.

But now there’s talk of more tinkering with the way of things.

Will we see fours revert to how it was (21 ends) and with more points on the line?

The majority of clubs want it that way.

A 21-end game with a point on offer per end plus four for the overall win, does seem to be the way to go.

It will make for tense action.

The Premier League may move to a Sunday slot (all 10 teams playing at the same venue), with the new-look First Division A, B C and D and remaining divisions (all zoned) set for playing their fixtures on Saturday afternoon.

Teams for the above will be reduced from 12 to eight players.

Whether that is the way to go only time will tell.

But for sure there are going to be some men and women who played in the first team who will lose their places.

The WP executive met on Thursday to discuss matters and will soon make a final call .

“We are in the process of seeing what’s best for our base,” said Western Province Bowls president Graeme Kemp.

“We want to strengthen our leagues across the board and have more people playing, and that means making changes.

“Whatever we come up will be in the best interests of the district, that I can assure members.

“It’s a process that is ongoing.

“And when we have settled on the final product for the two competitions, clubs will be immediately informed.”