A report by Michael Andersch, Chair, BSOP
I inspected the North Hobart synthetic green on Friday 23 September to assess it’s compliance with the laws of the game and consider its suitability for pennant and competition play.
The green has been in operation for approximately 6 weeks. Ditch depths and widths all meet the minimum and maximum requirements in the laws of the game. Depth varies only between 65 and 90mm around the green and is well above the minimum requirement of 50mm depth. The long pile on the synthetic material in the ditch together with a curved edge (of a radius of 25-35mm) on the green create an illusion of shallower ditches, but measurement to the playing surface height was determined to be well over the minimum. Likewise the variability is really not noticeable unless one looks carefully for it
Banks generally exceed the minimum height requirement. Like Rodman, the top of the banks at have followed the contour of the existing paths and “lay of the land” and this sees variability across various rinks. At the lowest point, Rinks 2/3 on the South Bank, Bank Height is 150mm, well below the 230mm law. This lower height (of 3 inches in old money) only poses an issue, stopping a rebounding jack or toucher in this area, for a jack or bowl that will now pass above the bank and go dead. Given the location on just one end, the rarity of such circumstances, it is a fact we make note of. Likewise bowlers will largely take a “rub of the green” approach to that eventuality.
Rink width was measured at 5.015m, which was the wider of the three recently installed and inspected greens, and gives North Hobart more than a foot either side of the rink to the players. Boundary pegs on outside rinks are a generous 770-800mm from the bank, below the measurement stipulated in the law.
Ditch widths are a very consistent 225-230 mm around all sides of the green and meets requirements.
My inspection did not include the rolling of a bowl but I observed players practicing and have had long discussion with Ross Bannister on his observations. There remains settling of the nap which will occur with both the regular rolling and warmer weather. I discussed with Ross, feedback from Rodman and Sandy Bay and that they too indicated the same experience that in certain conditions, with two brands/models of bowls having a tendency to track against the natural draw. It is anticipated this will wain as the grain/nap of the synthetic surface settles with regular rolling and warmer weather releasing the rigidity in the pile/fibres.
I anticipate the new synthetic green will be quicker and truer at the start of the season than for the former grass green that was replaced. Like the others, North Hobart have done and continue to work around the surrounds of the green and clubhouse to beautify the club. This will present the green and the club in its best light to visiting bowlers playing pennant and the Christmas trade of barefoot corporate bowlers.
I do note North Hobart does have a “restrictive corner of the green” on its North West side, resultant of the ramping of its surrounding concrete paths. This was a pre-existing and independent of the installation of the synthetic green. If a 7 rink event is played in either direction, then two rinks contend with walking to adjacent rinks to leave the green. From a playing perspective, this is a minor annoyance and probably only for triples/fours events. Ross has indicated there is some additional railing to be re-installed to assist players stepping from the bank to the green and the club has a supply of steps.
On behalf of the Bowls South Officiating Panel, I recommend the North Hobart green be declared “fit for play” for BTS events.
Michael Andersch
Chair, BSOP
26 September 2022