EBA Rule Changes

The English Bowling Association have issued a revised set of rules, which took affect from 1st April 2004. There are many rule changes and in fact the amendments run to 11 A4 pages! Although a few of the rules apply only to national events and to umpires etc., most of the rules apply to all bowls players. However, a few of the changes have been listed below that are most likely to affect the average bowler. The full Laws can be obtained from the EBA or a copy is available to inspect in the clubhouse.

LAW 1C (xiii)
The old definition of 'jack high' has been deleted and replaced by this new definition:
Position of bowl in relation to jack.
Jack Level - means the the nearest portion of the bowl referred to is in line with and at the same distance from the mat line and the nearest portion of the jack.
Jack High - means a bowl, which is further from the mat line than the jack.
Jack Low - means a bowl, which is nearer to the mat line than the jack.

LAW 19E
As before at the start of the game players toss a coin to decide which side will play first. However on subsequent ends the law has changed. Law 22(b) has now become Law 19E and states:
"In all ends subsequent to the first, the winner of the preceding scoring end shall have the option to either take the mat and have the jack and the first bowl, or allow his opponent to have the mat, jack and first bowl."
(This is a fundamental change from the last sentence in the previous Law 22(b) that required the winner of the preceding scoring end should play first. This new law allows the winner of an end to give the mat to the opponent.)

LAW 24
This is a new law controlling encroachment by players from adjoining rinks:
"A player shall not encroach on an adjoining rink where play is in progress. Should the player in possession of the mat so encroach, the umpire shall, after having given a warning, have the bowl stopped and declared dead."

LAW 34
This was formerly law 37 and has had major revisions. One part of this law which seems to cause confusion (particularly indoors where rinks are narrower) covers what to do if a wood from an adjacent rink interferes with your rink.

Law 34G (i) hasn't changed and says:
"A bowl at rest on a rink, if in danger of being moved by a bowl from an adjoining rink, may be lifted by any player at the head to allow the neutral bowl to pass, and then replaced............"

Law 34G (ii) is new and says:
"Alternatively any player at the head may stop a bowl from an adjoining rink which is in danger of colliding with a bowl in the head. However, he shall stop a bowl which is likely to collide with the jack. ........."
Notice the words 'shall stop' in the second part of Law 34G (ii)"

Remember this is only an extract from the revised rules. Purchase a full copy from the EBA.