Guidance regarding game stoppages
MEMORANDUM TO SIDE CAPTAINS AND OFFICIALS
Clarification of Law 32, Game Stoppages and the use of Law 33, Leaving the Green during the course of play was sought by the National Officiating Committee from the World Bowls Laws Committee, specifically to avoid the opportunity for players to manipulate for an advantage and apply our laws consistently.
The response from Mark Cowan, National Officiating Director 2010 was:
“From what I see on a daily basis, there appears to be confusion or at worst manipulation in how this Law is applied during a game, by players seeking to take advantage.
Law 32.1
If a game is stopped because of darkness, weather conditions or any other valid reason by
32.1.1 The Controlling Body;
32.1.2 The umpire after an appeal has been made by the players; or
32.1.3 Agreement between the players when an umpire or a representative of the Controlling Body is not present;
The game should be continued on the same day or a different day with the scores as they were when the game was stopped.
Note: Please remember Law 32.3 also – if all the bowls in an end have been played the number of shots scored must be decided before the game stops.
Law 32.2
If an end has started but all the required bowls have not been played, it must be declared dead. (The end must be declared dead even if one or more players choose to remain on the green during the stoppage.)
Critically, Law 32.2 & 32.3 only comes into effect if law 32.1 has been invoked. That is, in the context of a pennant match with 2 to 4 rinks, the whole game on all rinks has been stopped by was direction of controlling body, agreement of side captains (in a pennant situation) or an umpire after appeal by the players. Likewise, by the closure of the greens by the Greens Director or their delegate.
Should a player or group of players (on their own undertaking, including individual skips mutually agreeing) decide to come off the green (such as taking shelter from a heavy shower) the Stoppage Law 32.1 is deemed to have NOT been applied and play continues with any end in progress continuing without any dead end declaration.
Law 33.1 also applies
No player must delay play by leaving the rink of play or their team unless their opponent agrees, and then only for no more than 10 minutes.
Hence without the declaration of an official stoppage under provisions of 32.1, the players resuming the end in progress do so with the head remaining in its current position.
BTS Officiating Panel
November 2022