Thame Bowls Club - New Members

Information For New Members

Application Form for New Members can be downloaded from here

We at Thame Bowls Club are delighted that you have chosen to join us and hope you enjoy many years of bowling. It is a great social game and you will meet lots of people who have many years of experience in the game who will help you in the learning process, but you will also meet many newcomers to the game.

Roll-ups are a great way to make friends and spend an enjoyable hour or so. The Green is open from 11am till dusk. This season we are organising roll-ups on Monday evenings at 6pm for those new to the game where there will be qualified coaches to help you. In addition you can arrange with a few friends to meet up and enjoy a pleasant afternoon roll-up. Or, you could meet up any other weekday evening, have a game and a drink in our bar. You can book space on the green using the rink diary.

The bowling season starts around mid-April and finishes late September. There are various Social Events at the Club all year round, fun days including Ladies v Gents and Chairman v Secretary matches and the socially minded Friday Evening club games with bacon or sausage butties afterwards.

Matches - a brief introduction:

Midweek matches - a great introduction to mixed friendly games against local clubs for men and ladies together.
Dress code - Club shirts, grey trousers, skirts or shorts.

Men’s Oxfordshire League matches - a game for those who want competitive matches.
Dress code - Club shirts and grey trousers or shorts.

Ladies matches - any lady can play, you will be put in a team with experienced bowlers.
Dress code - Club shirts and white skirts, trousers or shorts.

Saturday Matches - friendly mixed games against local opposition.
Dress code - Club shirts and white trousers, skirts or shorts.

Sunday Matches - mixed friendly games played against local teams.
A must for all new members to get involved.
Dress code - Club shirts and white trousers, skirts or shorts.

You will find all these matches in your fixture card, on the Club notice board opposite the kitchen and on this website. See below for how to sign up to play.

Join in and take advantage of what Thame Bowls Club has to offer. You will find friendship, good company and good bowling on the best green in Oxfordshire.

How to sign up to play one of the friendly matches against other clubs.

On the wall near the kitchen there is a list of friendly games for Midweek, Weekends and Ladies against other clubs.

It will show the date and time and whether it is home or away and the dress code (dress code refers to either grey or white shorts,

trousers or skirts - whatever takes your fancy - plus a club shirt).

Please write your name on the list for the game(s) you wish to play in.

A week or so before the game the Captain will pick the side and display it on the notice board and if selected please tick your name.

If the game is away, you can go there directly under your own steam and if so put a star against your name. Otherwise we assemble

at the clubhouse by the time advised and transport will be arranged - you will be able to travel in someone else's car for a fee of £3

paid to the driver to offset their fuel costs.

We need as many members as possible to put their names down to play - either as a Lead, Two or skip so that the Captains have as big

a pool of players as possible to pick from.

Don't worry about whether or not you think you are good enough because everyone on our side or the opposition will be friendly and

give you help and advice along the way if you want or need it.

Our Values

Thame Bowls Club has a set of Values that we seek all members to abide by, they are:

We have a single, simple purpose – to contribute to the continued success and development of Thame Bowls Club by adhering to and promoting a set of values that enable our members and volunteers to feel respected and valued.

1. We commit to supporting one another and the Club aims.

2. We respect one another and work best as a team.

3. We are cheerful, welcoming and friendly at all times.

4. We aim to be successful, but remember it is as important to enjoy ourselves and have fun.

5. We use our experience and knowledge to help new members develop and grow.

6. We have a commitment to caring about the well-being of our fellow members.

7. We welcome healthy debate and ideas, but strive for solutions not barriers.

8. We value tradition, but recognise that we also need to embrace change to progress.

Thame Bowls Club Committee 2019

: Last Updated: 09 January 2024

Bowling Green Etiquette

Bowls should not be dropped on the green.
Bowls should not be kicked in until the shot has been decided.
Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.
Dress appropriately and ensure that you know the dress code for each game or match in which you are participating.
Do not walk across rinks that other people are using.
Introduce yourself and shake hands with your opponent(s) both before play commences and after the game is complete.
During the game do not move around the head when your opponent is about to deliver his bowl. Stand well back from the head, keep quiet and do not do anything that would distract your opponent. Wait until the bowl has been delivered before moving.
If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl you must stand behind the mat thus staying out of the player's line of vision.
Bear in mind that some people like to see the rink boundary markers and the centre pin while playing so make sure that you are not obscuring them.
On sunny days you must also ensure that your shadow does not fall on the jack.
Spectators who are in the player's line of vision should also keep still while bowls are being delivered and they should not distract players on the green.
After you have delivered a bowl and before it has come to rest you should remain on the mat so that your skip can advise you on how well your bowl was delivered.
It is customary to offer to buy them a drink if you have won the game. Where a marker has been involved in a singles game you should also offer them a drink.

: Last Updated: 20 November 2022

Players' Roles in Team Games

In all team games it is the Skip's job to direct the play. Other players should play the shot directed by the Skip even if they don't agree with it. In fours games the 'Third' should direct the Skip when required to do so. In Triples or Pairs the Second or Lead may do this. Other players should not interfere unless invited to do so.

The Skip

The Skip shall have sole charge of his team, and his instructions shall be observed by his players. With the opposing Skip he shall decide all disputed points, and when both agree, their decision shall be final.
If both Skips cannot agree, the point in dispute shall be referred to, and considered by, an Umpire whose decision shall be final.
A Skip may at any time delegate his powers or any of his duties to other members of his team provided that such delegation is notified to the opposing Skip.
The Skip also keeps the score of all shots as from 2011.

The Third

The third player may have deputed to him the duty of measuring any and all disputed shots.

The Second

The Second should work in tandem with The Lead.

The Lead

The Lead shall place the mat and shall deliver the Jack ensuring that the Jack is properly centred before playing his first bowl.
In addition to the duties specified in the preceding clauses any player may undertake such duties as may be assigned to him by the Skip.
It is also worth emphasising that the head must not be disturbed by any player until the shots have been finally agreed. When the Thirds or Skips are deciding the shots the other players should stand well back from the head and give them the space to do so.
During the game encourage your team mates, do not criticize them. Commend good shots and learn to accept that flukes are a part of the game. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes against.

: Last Updated: 20 November 2022

The Role of a Marker

Guidelines for a Marker

This note explains the attributes, requirements and duties involved in being able to facilitate this important role in an efficient, unbiased and non-interfering manner.

Make sure that you are familiar with the rules covering the competition that you are marking.

Ensure that you have the necessary equipment, coin, pen, scorecard, chalk, measure, and wedges.
Introduce yourself to the competitors, they should have booked a rink or rinks beforehand, and toss a coin for who has the right to choose who has the jack.
Establish which bowls belong to each player.
Inform them that you will only answer direct questions from the player who has possession of the mat and that you will mark any touchers as soon as the bowl comes to rest.
Ensure that the mat is properly placed and that the Jack is centred before the first bowl is delivered, always use the two-metre measuring stick to set the Jack from the rear ditch.
Remain behind the jack and to the side of the rink whilst the bowl is being played and make sure that you do not cast a shadow over the jack.
Do not approach the head unless it is to mark a toucher, or you need to view the head to answer a specific question regarding the situation.
Mark touchers in the ditch, remove dead bowls with the permission of the players and ask if a “line bowl” is in or out.
Be as accurate as possible when estimating distances between jack and bowls. If unsure which is shot when asked, say so. The players can always come and have a look if the game is close, and a decision is key. Do not volunteer information unless asked.
Only measure shots when asked to by the players. If you cannot decide then call for an umpire. If bowls are likely to fall during a measure be sure to use wedges.
If the jack is knocked into the ditch, it should be marked using the markers provided. You should also use the coloured markers provided to indicate where any “touching” bowls are in the ditch. Remember if a static touching bowl is knocked in the ditch it still counts.
Do not disturb or break up a head, this should be done by the players or an umpire.
Before marking the scorecard, make sure you are clear which player has been awarded the shot or shots.
Inform both players of the state of the score at the completion of each end.
After the game complete the scorecard and get both players to sign it.

Remember the players have a responsibility to know the rules themselves and understand how their competition is structured. So really you are just there to be their “eyes” at the other end of the rink to avoid them having to keep coming up and down to set the mat or jack and to see where their bowls are lying and who is holding the lead. You are there to help, not to referee the match.

To help - here is a summary of the types of Club Competitions you may be asked to mark for: -

Games where the aim is to get to 21 shots to win. For example, the Coronation & Taylor Cups for the men and the Pomeroy Cup for the ladies. There is no need to keep note of the ends played on the scoreboard – just keep track of the scores.
Games where the competition is played over a set number of ends, we play the Ladies Honour Cup over 15 ends it is important for the competitors to know how many ends have been played by keeping the scoreboard up to date and informing them when you announce the score at each end. If the scores are tied after the defined number of ends have been played – a deciding end is played to find a winner.
Some games are played using only 3 bowls each or in one case of the Ladies 2-Wood Singles – logically only 2 bowls each. The Competition Notice Board shows this detail.
The Michael Jones Cup is a little different, in that this “open” Competition is played over the best of three separate sets, each set being the first to 7 shots. The Competitors toss for choice of the mat at the beginning of each set. If someone wins the first two sets the game is over.
The Lightfoots Cup is different again, in that it is the 1st player to 60 points which are scored 4, 3, 2, 1 for the 4 nearest woods to the jack. In the event of a drawn end the winner of the last winning end takes the mat. 1 extra end if scores tied with the 1 wood nearest the jack winning.

Last Update November 2022

: Last Updated: 20 November 2022