The Game

 

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The basics:
Outdoor bowls is played on squares of closely cut grass known as "the green" which is then divided into a series of separate strips on which matches are played, known as "rinks".

The green is surrounded by a small ditch to catch bowls which leave the green, behind which is a bank on which markers are placed to indicate the boundaries of each rink and the centreline.

Players deliver their bowls from a mat placed on the rink by the bowler whose turn it is to deliver the jack. The jack is a small white ball which is the target. Both the mat and the jack must be placed on the centreline.

Bowls are shaped so that they take a curved path towards the jack. The object is to get one or more of your bowls closer to the jack than those of your opponents with one point scored for each counting shot after each "end" has been completed.

There is a wide array of formats. Matches are most commonly played by singles or teams of pairs, triples and fours. The number of bowls each player delivers varies according to the competition.

Traditionally matches have been played to one single score, commonly 21 shots, or over a specified number of ends,

 

Come and join us, there is always someone on the green most evenings to show you the ropes, you will be most welcome.