Royal Row Over Rule Changes Looming

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 2, 2008

John Gilmour

PLANS by the Royal NSW Bowling Association to make two fundamental rule changes to its domestic playing conditions this year could land the state body on a collision course with Bowls Australia.

RNSWBA has proposed the minimum length a jack must be rolled be reduced from 23 to 21 metres and that bowlers be denied the option of forfeiting the mat after winning an end.

Bowls Australia has made a formal application to the board of World Bowls to allow its state and territory associations to vary the size of ends, but it has not sought a change of rules regarding forfeiting the mat.

Bowls Australia president Brian Marsland is hopeful World Bowls will ratify changes to domestic rules regarding minimum length of the jack position when it meets in Christchurch this month.

In the meantime, Marsland has urged all members to toe the line with regards the game's rules and regulations.

"Our sport of bowls, like other sports such as golf, cricket, tennis and others that are played throughout the world, is conducted under a set of laws that apply to provide consistency and credibility to the sport," Marsland said.

The rule allowing the forfeiting of the mat after winning an end has caused much consternation since it was introduced world-wide last January.

There was concern during the year that a lot of games were being decided by whoever got the better run and that players who could convert well with their third and fourth deliveries, especially in singles matches, held a distinct advantage.

It was also felt the former rule allowed for a much more tactical game, which in turn provided far more enjoyment for players down through the grades.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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