Lawn Green Bowling goes back to the 13th century. Played outdoors, it’s becoming
the game of British Summer with the season being from April to September.
Our very own Material Controller, Roy Clarke, entered in this
year’s Lawn Green bowling league. Roy has only been playing for two years after
retiring from golf. This was Roy’s first season being in the league and he
proudly got to 4 different finals. The two he won were Men’s Round Robin, which
Roy won having the best of 3 sets, and Men’s Pair’s, which he won with his
partner Ian Williams.
Winning two titles after only bowling for
2 years, we must give sincere appreciation to his 83 year old mentor, Brian
Foster. Brian has taught Roy everything he knows about Lawn Green Bowling,
including the line & right method. All
the action takes place on a standard bowling green, which is a flat square 40x40m.
This is divided into six playing areas called rinks.
After a coin toss, the first bowler (the
lead) places the mat and rolls the jack to the other end of the green as a
target. The jack must travel at least 23m and, when it comes to rest, it is
moved across to the centre of the rink. The players then take turns to bowl.
When all the bowls have been played, a
competitor or team gets one point for each of their bowls that is closer to the
jack than the opponent's closest bowl.
After all the bowls have been delivered, the direction of play is
reversed. This is the end of an end!
Lawn Green bowling was traditionally played by the older
generation. However, recently it’s becoming a popular game to younger crowds.
Roy is a proud member of the 100 year old Hewell Bowling Club in
Worcestershire.
The game itself is taken very seriously, including the etiquette
around the game. Specific rules are set for dressing during and after the game.
Such as for when playing on the green, one must where their all white kit, then
after one must wear club blazer and tie before saying grace at diner!
Well done Roy on your new trophies! We look forward to more
stories and more wins!
