New Members

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.