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When researching this topic the variety of versions of Carpet Bowls that are being played on a range of carpet size was something of a surprise. If anyone knows of any other versions please let us have details. The following are the versions covered in this article - “Domestic or Home ” Carpet Bowls, "Non Bias or Scottish" Carpet bowls and "Bias" Carpet bowls. For Short Mat Carpet Bowls see Article 8.
Perhaps the place to start is with what is best described as -
Sec 1 - “Domestic or Home” Carpet bowls.
The best known name in this type of carpet bowl Banda bowls are the premier quality carpet bowls and have been made by the same family firm since 1930.
picture acknowledgement – Drakes Pride
Available in 2.5" and 2" diameter sizes Banda bowls are biased to suit a playing area of between 3-6 metres in length (10-20 feet) and not less than 2 metres (6 feet) width.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME
This game is similar to the well known game of Lawn Bowls, but is ideally suited for play on a carpet. The bowls are biased similarly to those used on a Bowling Green. In order to give the necessary 'drag', the carpet should be of dense pile and around 1 cm (1 /2") deep if the pile is too smooth and/or too short the bowls will tend to run in circles or off the edge of the carpet. The playing area may be of any length from 3-6m (10-20ft) and width not less than 2m (6ft).
For those not familiar with the game of bowls the following may be of use:
'Bias' which is incorporated in the bowl during manufacture on the opposite side of the bowl to the coloured spot, causes the bowl to roll in a gentle curve instead of a straight line. The bowl should be rolled, not thrown, near the ground in the direction of the jack. It will then be found to curve away from the coloured spot, thus enabling the jack to be approached either from the right or left, according to the way in which the bowl is held in the hand. This is particularly useful if an opponents bowl is lying in a direct line of approach, as the object of the game is to get one's bowl or bowls as near to the jack as possible.
RULES
The game may be played by two, three, or four persons. Each player has one pair of bowls, but if two players only, each may have two pairs.
If four persons are playing, they may form themselves into two sides or play individually.
Where partners are playing, one of either side shall play alternately.
Before commencing play the number of points to be scored for game (usually 21), is agreed.
Players should spin a coin to decide which player has the option of playing first. The first player in each round shall play the jack and follow with his/her first bowl; the others follow from the same spot, marked with the green mat, in the order agreed upon. The winner of each round leads the following round.
Should the jack be thrown off the edge of the playing area, it should be replaced about 30-40cm (12-18ins) from the edge nearest the point where it went off, but should the jack be knocked of by a bowl in play, that round is 'dead' and should be started again from the opposite end.
All bowls not remaining on the carpet, or fouled or impeded by any object, shall be deemed 'dead' and may be removed.
The player or side whose bowl remains nearest the jack counts one point, but should two or more bowled by the same player or side be nearer than the opponent's, a further point for each bowl is counted.
Should two players tie for nearest position, one point each should be scored.
10. If a bowl is played out of turn it may be replayed in proper order. But if it has touched or moved another bowl, the round may be declared dead and should be replayed.
Thurston stock “Domestic Carpet” Bowls click on link to see - Bowls Price list -
and go to page 16 item B8500.
Sec 2 - Non Bias Carpet Bowls.
This version of the game is played on a raised bed on a 24ft x 3ft carpet. The picture below taken from a 1936 catalogue gives an idea of what the game looks like.
Picture acknowledgement- Norman Clare Heritage Collection
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picture of Lindean Open Pairs
picture acknowledgement www.info@grantkinghornpics.co.uk
The above is a page from a Taylor-Rolph catalogue dated 1935. It mentions that the Tournaments attract enormous crowds with 95 affiliated clubs in Scotland. It states that the game is little know south of the Tweed but has a large following in Canada.
We are gratefull to the Birkenhead Carpet Bowling Society 1896 for allowing the use of information concerning both the history of the game and its Rules.
further info Email bcbs1896@googlemail.com New members always welcome
HISTORY
The origin of carpet bowling is unknown but it is believed to have originated from a form of parlour game which used ceramic bowls known in Scotland as ‘Piggies’. This was extremely popular between 1860 and 1880 as almost every home had a set of ‘Piggies’. As carpets were rare they used blankets, canvas or even paper; it is recorded where one club played on sawdust spread on a hard floor. This developed to where groups of young men began to organise events with rules throughout Scotland. Some of these young men also played the game of Curling. By the1890’s the game had developed with rules invented by some and copied from the new rules put in place for curling. The measurement for the carpet and markings are the same as that for curling but reduced from yards to feet thus a third of the size of a curling rink.
By 1895 the Scottish Carpet Bowling Association had been formed with 12 districts within Scotland. In the original form it did not include England. Each district had anything between 5 and 10 member clubs. You can see from that that they had a membership in the region of perhaps 100 clubs with average of 30/40 members each. They were also responsible for arranging international events which indicated that carpet bowls were being played elsewhere to the same rules
It was a popular pastime and was encouraged by the churches to “prevent young men from partaking in alcohol and mischief” and local schoolrooms were often permitted to be used as bowling halls.
In the early days there were no boards, just carpet laid on the floor. Boards were introduced following the formation of the association as the condition of many of the floors disadvantaged visiting teams.
Ceramic bowls were used prior to 1895 when the association decided on Lignum or a plastic substance called ‘Lawrite composition’ and the size was set at no more than 12 inches circumference. The problem of ceramic bowls hitting the ‘wicket’ or hoop and shattering could now be avoided.
The first mention of carpet bowling in England follows the formation of our club. The Birkenhead Carpet Bowling Society was formed in 1896 by a group of drapers who originated from Dumfries. It is believed that the first venue at that time was a hotel or public house in Market Street, Birkenhead. Since then it has had many venues throughout the town. Although it was formed by Scots it had members from all sides of the community, English, Irish and Welsh. In the North West region there soon came several other clubs, the next formed being Chester. There was an international fixture between England V Scotland in 1957, which incidentally England won. There were many other tournaments both regional and local. The most recent one is an annual fixture between Wrexham and our club. Research shows that there are not many of these clubs remaining. This may be due to the fact that the sport is not widely publicised compared to others forms of bowling. Research is vague but the Association seems to have been absorbed into the Scottish Indoor Bowling Association (SIBA) during the mid 20th Century.
This form of bowling is more affordable than short mat as the carpets are approximately half the size and the bowls are half the size; thus you only require a room which can accommodate a carpet 24’ X3’. It is time for the sport to be reborn.
Layout of Carpet
Rules of Play
1 a) the carpet should measure 24 feet long and 3 feet wide
b) In the centre of the carpet, 21feet 9 inches from the playing end, a clearly defined tee shall be fixed. Around such tee as a centre, a circle of 15 inches radius shall be drawn. To facilitate measurements smaller circles may be drawn on the inside of a smaller radius than the first.
c) A hog score line shall be drawn across the carpet 4 feet 6 inches from the tee towards the playing end.
d) Two guides made from wood 3feet 6inches long, 1 inch wide and ½ inch thick are to be fixed at the playing end of the carpet. They should start 9 inches forward of the end of the carpet and be 6 inches apart at the end nearest the tee and 9 inches apart at the playing end.
e) A guard mad of wood or metal about 5/8 inches thick, 8 inches long and 43/4 inches high is to be fastened to the carpet at the end of the wooden guides nearest to the tee.
f) At 27 inches from the playing end of the carpet distinct lines shall be drawn from the edges of the guides to the edge of the carpet, known as a delivery line. Every player should place their hand, foot or knee behind that line. It is a breach of the rules to deliver a bowl in a position where the hand, foot or knee is on or beyond the line. All bowls being played have to be delivered on the carpet between the two guides. When a bowl being delivered leaves the players hand and passes beyond the guard it shall be deemed a played bowl. The bowl must be released before it passes through the guard.
2) All bowls must be made of wood or composite compound which have been passed entirely free of loading or bias and not to measure more than 12 inches in circumference.
3a) Every bowl shall be eligible to count which is not clearly outside the 15 inch circle.
b) Each bowl past the tee and outside the 15inch circle is considered out of play and laid off the carpet. Should there be any dispute regarding a bowl on the 15 inch circle past the tee while the game is in progress and appeal can be made to an umpire for an immediate decision to decide whether the bowl is out of play or not.
c) Each bowl shall be a hog which does not entirely clear the hog line must be removed from the carpet. No bowl can be considered as such if it has struck another bowl lying in a position over the hog line. In the event of a dispute concerning the hog line the captain or his nominee or an independent member not being a member of either team involved may be asked to make a decision which shall be deemed final.
4a) Should a bowl in play get broken another bowl shall placed in the position where the largest fragment is situated. The player is entitled to use another bowl for the remainder of the game.
b) On no other conditions can bowls be changed after the game has commenced.
5a) Except as provided by the Regulations every rink is to be composed of four players a side one of which shall be Skip, and direct the game. Each player shall play two bowls.
b) The Skips opposing each other shall settle which team shall lead at the first head after which the winning side shall do so.
6a) The players on each side shall be the only persons allowed to have any say in the game.
b) No person shall be allowed to be in contact with the board while a player is in the act of delivering his bowl.
7) All matches to be of a certain number of heads as is agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
8) Each player to be ready to play when their turn comes and not to take more than a reasonable time to play. Should a wrong bowl be played any player may stop it while running. If it is not stopped while running they must wait until it comes to rest and it may be replaced by the bowl that ought to have been played to the satisfaction of the opposing skip.
9) Should a player play out of turn the bowl they played may be stopped and returned to the player. Should the mistake not be realised until the bowl is at rest or has struck another bowl the opposing skip will have the option of declaring the end null and void. If another bowl has been played before the mistake has been realised the head must be finished as if it had been properly played.
10) If a running bowl be marred by any of the party to whom it belongs it may be by the challenge of opposing skip to be put off the rink, but if by any of the adverse party it may be placed where the skip of the party to whom it belongs shall direct if otherwise marred, (except as provided for in rule 15) the player shall replay the bowl.
Should any played bowl be displaced before the head is reckoned, it shall be placed as near as possible to where it lay to the satisfaction of the skip opposing to the party displacing it. When no bowls are in the rink at the termination of the end this shall be recorded as a played end.
11) No measuring of shots is allowed previous to the termination of the end unless as in the latter part of Rule 3 b). All disputed shots are to be determined by the captain or his nominee. All measurements are to be taken from the centre of the tee, that centre being clearly defined.
12) During the games players should be arranged along the side of the carpet but well away from it, as the skip may direct. No person shall kneel, walk, or rest on or over the carpet under any pretext whatsoever whether or not a game is in progress.
13) If any player belonging to either of the competing sides shall speak to, taunt or otherwise interrupt another not belonging to their own party while in the act of playing their bowl, the said player shall be warned against such conduct, and if they persist shall be brought before the committee and shall be liable to suspension or dismissal according to the fining thereof.
14) If a bowl passes underneath the guard it shall be deemed a played bowl whether it strikes the guard or not and it shall be allowed to run it’s course. If the bowl passes over the guard, passes by the side or bounces back from the guard it shall be deemed out of play and the player shall not be allowed to replay the same.
15) All disputes must be referred to the Captain, his nominee and/or the secretary whose decision shall always be final.
16) Should any situation occur which is not covered by the rules, the decision will be made by the committee in accordance with fairness.
17) There shall be no smoking within the confines of the playing area.
Disabled bowlers
Every possible assistance will be given to disabled bowlers to allow them to compete on equal terms
with able bodied bowlers:-
a) b) If a walking stick, crutch or similar aid is essential to give the bowler proper balance it shall be allowed.
c) Where a bowler requires the use of a length of guttering, or similar, to be able to deliver his/her bowls, this will be allowed. IF it is the ONLY way in which the person concerned is able to deliver them.
d) At the discretion of the Committee, any member, either disabled or otherwise, who requires to rest
between ends, shall be allowed to do so, but they must not wander away from the rink.
Interpretation :-
Skip - Is the skipper or leader of a team and plays fourth in the team
Hench - Is henchman and deputy to the skip; they play third in the team
Second - Is the player that plays second in the team
Lead - Is the player that plays first in the team
Tee - Is a point measured 21’ 9” from the playing end of the carpet and in the centre of the width
Guard - The metal or wooden guard at the end of the guides through which a bowl must pass to be in play
Guides - Pieces of wood placed at the players end
Hog - A line drawn 4’ 6” from the tee in direction of player
.. Rink - A team of four players
Carpet - The area on which the game is played
Wood - A bowl regardless of whether it is wood or composite compound no more than 12” in circumference.
Reserve - A player from a team is not allocated a game or who is not a permanent member of a team
Circle - This is the scoring area within a radius of 15” from the tee. Also referred to as the House.
House - This is alternative name for Circle.
End - Means that part of the game in which the two opposing teams deliver eight woods alternately and then determine the score
Game - Means play between two teams to determine a winner.
Delivery line - Line drawn 27” from playing end beyond which the player cannot exceed.
Wick - Term applied to a bowl which glances off another bowl or bowls to change its natural line of travel.
Non Bias Carpet Bowls
picture acknowledgement – Drakes Pride
Thurston stock “Non Bias or Scottish” Carpet Bowls click on link to see - Bowls Price list -
and go to page 16 item B8400
Sec 3 - Bias Carpet Bowls.
There does seem to be a slight Northern – Southern hemisphere divide when it come to the size of the bowls used for this game. However the entry shown below from a 1935 Bowls catalogue seems to suggest that 'Miniature Bowls for indoor bowling on small rinks' were made to 3 15/16 inches. That this game was popular in New Zealand is also mentioned and it states that the game can be played on carpets 30ft x 6ft and upwards.
picture acknowledgement – Drakes Pride
The other rules are basically the same but in the U.K. and where there has been a U.K. influence bias carpet bowls are 3 7/8th Inches (98mm) in diameter. However in Australia and where they have had an influence the bias carpet bowls are 4 inches (100mm) in diameter. Another difference was that in the Australian bowls the set was more likely to comprise four pairs of black and four pairs of yellow bowls rather than the U.K. tradition of 4 pairs black and four pairs brown. However in recent years other colours for U.K. bias carpet bowls have been accepted so Red, Yellow and Blue bowls are available.
The following pictures were taken by Mr. T. Brophy at the Championships held in Blackpool in 2011. The carpets are 30ft long by 6ft wide.
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picture acknowledgement – Mr. Tom Brophy
The centre 'block' can be circular as seen in these pictures which is placed to stop players firing and ensure they use the bias of the bowls. Also shown are the delivery blocks which are used to delineate the delivery area.
English Carpet Bowls Association -
The Rules for Playing Carpet Bowls
1. EQUIPMENT
Carpet
1.1 A carpet shall be a minimum of 1.83m (6ft) and a maximum of 1.98m (6ft 6in) wide and a minimum of 9.14m (30ft) and a maximum of 10.06m (33ft) long.
Carpet Markings
1.2 A jack placement line 0.91m (3ft) long shall be marked centrally, 0.91m (3ft) from each end of the carpet.
1.3 There shall be a delivery space at the centre of each end of the carpet which shall be 457mm (18in) wide marked by two guidelines which measure 457mm (18in) in length.
1.4 A delivery are shall be demarcated as follows at each end of the carpet. A lateral line 457mm (18in) in length shall be drawn to connect the two guidelines that mark the delivery space. (As show in the diagram below).
1.5 A lateral line shall be drawn across the carpet equidistant from each end.
Centre Spar & Delivery Blocks
1.6 A block (which may be circular, a spar, a diamond or similar), 457mm (18in) across and 50mm (2in) high, hard edged and of a contrasting colour to the carpet, shall be placed in the centre of the carpet equidistant from each end and each side.
1.7 Two blocks of wood of a contrasting colour to the carpet, being of size 152mm x 101.6mm x 50.8mm placed two blocks of wood, shall be placed on the delivery guidelines. The blocks shall be placed such that the height shall be 152mm (6in), that the 101.6mm (4in) side shall be along the edges of the carpet and the 50.8mm (2in) side along the lines.
Bowls
1.8 16 bowls, 8 of each colour, all made by the same manufacturer, shall not exceed 96mm (3 7/8 ins) in diameter, or 737.09gm (1lb 10oz) in weight, nor be of a less bias than a no.3. No bowls other than this matching set shall be used in a game. Stickers may be used to distinguish between the bowls.
Jack
1.9 The jack shall be 63.5mm (2.5in) in diameter and weigh 283.5gm (10oz) or be within the manufacturers stipulated tolerance for this size and weight of jack. (Currently 15% plus or minus)
2. PLAYING
2.1 Before the commencement of the game the skips shall toss a coin. The winner has the option to play first or second and if not previously decided which colour woods to bowl.
2.2 The team playing first will place the jack on the jack placement line not less than 0.91m (3ft) nor more than 1.83m (6ft) from the end. In subsequent ends the team winning the last end places the jack and that team bowls first. (In the case of a tied (dead) ends the player who bowled first on that end shall again bowl first).
2.3 One trial end in each direction may be played before a game. A game is not deemed to have commenced until the first wood is bowled after the trial ends.
3. PLAYERS
3.1 Where facilities allow, players will stand well back from the carpet when others players are bowling.
3.2 The third player of each team may, when it is their turn to bowl, be invited to visit the head.
3.3 When it is the turn of the Skips to bowl the remaining players go to the other end of the carpet.
3.4 Substitutes may be made in the cases of illness/emergency. Such substitutes may play in any position other than Skip.
4. SKIPS
4.1 Skips shall have control of the play of their team but may delegate this responsibility at any time during the match to another member of that team. However once a game has commenced the team positions cannot be changed.
4.2 In the absence of an independent umpire the two Skips shall be the judges of all disputes and, when they agree, their decision shall be final.
5. MEASURING
5.1 Whilst measuring is being carried out the jack shall not be held nor touched by hand.
5.2 All measuring shall be between the nearest points of the jack or wood. If a wood requiring to be measured is resting on another wood which prevents its measurement, then the best possible means available shall be taken to secure its position whereupon the other wood shall be removed. No measuring shall be carried out until the last wood on an end is bowled.
5.3 The Skip shall nominate which of their bowlers shall measure and all other members shall stand well clear of the carpet whilst the result of the end is being determined.
5.4 In the case of a dispute then agreement should be reached between the skips on what is to be measured and by whom.
6. SCORING
6.1 If a wood from each team is equidistant from the jack then neither side will score but the end will count as an end played.
6.2 Nothing in these rules shall make it mandatory for either skip with the last wood in the end to bowl it. However, the Skip must declare their intentions to the opposing Skip before determining the result of the end.
7. PLAY INFRINGEMENTS
7.1 Whether playing or directing bowlers must not stand, kneel on or touch the carpet. Should a bowler, after having been warned by the opposing Skip, persist in infringing this rule then one shot shall be deducted on that and each subsequent occasion. The only exception to this shall be when it is necessary for deciding the end after the last wood of the end has come to rest.
7.2 If a bowler shall bowl an opponent's wood in error then after it has come to rest the opposing Skip will replace it with one of the player's own side's woods.
7.3 If a player bowls before their turn or before their opponent's wood has come to rest then that wood shall be declared dead.
7.4 Any wood which does not completely pass a lateral line level with the centre of the centre block or which touches or passes over that block shall be declared dead.
7.5 No wood may be carried past the centre block and no wood must be picked up before the preceding wood has been delivered. If this occurs then the wood will be declared dead.
7.6 Each bowler, when delivering a wood, must have both feet entirely behind the end of the carpet. Should a bowler, after having been warned by the opposing skip, persist in infringing this rule then the skip shall cause that wood to be declared dead.
7.7 Smoking shall not be allowed during the course of the game by that taking part in it. After a warning from the opposing skip one shot shall be deducted from the offending team score for each end affected.
8. DISPLACEMENT OF WOODS OR JACK
8.1 If a bowl whilst in motion or at rest be interfered with or displaced by one of the bowlers then the opposing skip shall:
(i) Leave the woods/jack to remain as they are or
(ii) Replace the woods/jack as near as possible to their original position or
(iii) Replay the end unless any live wood so moved is the only one.
8.2 Should the jack be driven by the bowl in play wholly beyond the limits of the carpet, whether it be the end or side of the carpet, it shall be counted dead. The opponents shall receive 2 shots and a new end begun by the opponents. If during the course of the game the jack is driven to the end or side of the carpet, then the two players in charge of that end should agree that the jack has stopped moving. An agreement should be reached within a reasonable time consistent with the time it would normally take to deliver the next wood. If after reaching the said agreement and subsequently the jack should fall off the carpet without any contact being made with the jack, then that end should be declared a dead end and replayed without penalty. If this happened on the final end of a timed game and the whistle to signal the end of the game went before the jack was placed then you would not be allowed to replay the end.
8.3 All dead woods in motion shall be stopped and removed where possible before disturbing any other wood or jack. In the event of a dead wood resulting in a live wood or jack being moved then the opposing skip shall:
(i) Remove the dead wood and leave the woods/jack to remain as they are, or
(ii) Remove the dead wood and replace the woods/jack as near as possible to their original position, or
(iii) Replay the end unless any live bowl so moved is the only one.
Unforseen Incidents
8.4 If, during the course of play any neutral object disturbs the position of the jack or any wood then the end shall be declared dead unless otherwise mutually agreed by the skips.
8.5 If a wood is mistakenly declared dead and removed from the carpet then that wood shall be replayed
9. DELIVERY
9.1 The forward motion on which a wood is released must pass between or through the 457mm (18in) delivery space, which is demarcated by the guidelines and the blocks.
9.2 All woods must be released within the demarcated delivery area. Should a bowler after being warned by the opposing skip or a referee continue to infringe this rule then the wood shall be declared dead, stopped and removed from the carpet.
9.3 If during delivery of a wood either block is touched in any way then the wood shall be declared dead. If, however, the block is touched after the wood has been released this would not class as a foul. Delivery of a wood shall be considered as being from the point of presenting the wood, in the hand, to the carpet until it is released from the hand. A player may however, put their wood down on the carpet, to either get a better grip or to go and check the end, then that wood shall not be classed as a dead wood.
9.4 Disabled bowlers must be allowed to adopt a comfortable stance and method when delivering their woods although they should not be allowed to gain an unfair advantage.
10. SPECTATORS
10.1 Persons not taking part in a game shall be situated clear of and beyond the limits of play. They may support a team but only in a way that will not offend nor disturb their opponents.
10.2 Direct coaching of a player whilst a game is in progress is forbidden. The opposing skip shall bring any offence to the notice of the independent referee who will assess the situation and may ask the offender to leave the playing area.
English Carpet Bowls Association retain the copyright to 'The Rules for Playing Carpets Bowls', which may not be reproduced without permission.
Traditional set of Bias Carpet Bowls but now available with coloured bowwls
Thurston stock “Bias Carpet” Bowls click on link to see - Bowls Price list -
and go to page 16 item B8300
©Peter Clare 2011 – E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. This Article can be reproduced only with the permission of E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.