Slippery Scenario Solutions
The Lawman sets the record straight with these common mat and jack scenarios you may encounter on the green. What would you do in the situations below? Click on the solution to see if you ace it!
Remember; Law 6.1.1: Regarding placing the mat describes the player who plays first must place the centre line of the mat along the centre line of the rink, with the mat being at least 2 metres from the rear ditch and at least 25 metres (DR 1.3, 23 metres) from the front ditch.
Click the ˅ icon to the right to reveal the solution.
Scenario A:
A player delivers the jack, and the mat has been placed on the wrong line. No bowl has been delivered.
Solution
The mat must be moved to the centreline – as per Law 6.2.3. The end then continues and there is no penalty.
Scenario B:
A player delivers the jack, and the mat has been placed on the wrong line and centred on that line. A bowl has then been delivered by the same player from on the wrong line.
Solution
Law 6.2.3 always applies, that is, if the mat at any stage of a game is off the centre line, it must be moved to that line. The mat must always be on the centre line. Law 9.7 also applies. That is, after a player has delivered their first bowl, no-one has the right to challenge the legality of the original position of the jack. Therefore, the mat must be centred on the along the centre line, but the jack must be left in its original position.
Scenario C:
The first bowl has been delivered and the skip of the opposing team wishes to challenge the whether the jack is a legal delivery.
Solution
Law 9.7 again applies such that after the first player has delivered their first bowl no-one has the right to challenge the legality of the position of the jack.
Scenario D:
A player thinks the mat is slippery and dangerous and turns the mat over to deliver their bowl.
Solution
Law 6.2.6 allows a player during adverse weather conditions to lift the mat and turn it over before delivering their bowl. This player must replace it in its original position.
Scenario E:
A player thinks the mat is slippery and dangerous and decides to place their bowling rag on top of the mat and then delivers the jack and their bowl.
Solution
There is no law which states this cannot occur and in line with the introduction to the Laws this should be permitted (page 8, The Laws of the Sport of Bowls, 3rd Edition). This action would not be providing an unfair advantage and common sense suggests it would be permitted. Such an action should not be seen as contradictory to Law 34, Objects on the Green.
Scenario F:
During the first end of a match the end is declared dead. What should happen?
Solution
Law 20.2 states any dead end must be replayed in the same direction unless the skips agree to play it in the opposite direction. It does not matter if it’s the first end of play, the same law applies.
Scenario G:
The skip of a team removes the mat as they believed it was their last bowl.
Solution
Law 6.2.4 states that if a player picks up the mat before the end is completed, an opposing player must replace the mat in its original position.
The LAWMAN.
John Roberts
Co-Chairman
Officiating and Laws Committee
