TEMPORARY ADHESIVE DISKS .....
It is the view of some bowlers that the temporary coloured stickers supplied buy their club, and required to be fixed by the R.V.B.A. for the purpose of identification whilst playing pennant, may be left as a permanent marking on there bowls. The general view is that, as the rulebook does not state that these disks must be removed, then it must be permissible to retain them.
However if we look at rule 9A, specifications is the operative word, and a specification is (a detailed description of requirements,) Any characteristic of a bowl not specified in this rule is outside the specification and is therefore illegal.
In order to find the conditions when temporary disks may be used we must look at rule 9D. This Section tells us that the controlling body may require disks to be attached. As the controlling body in must cases, (with the exception of pennant) is the club on whose green the game is being played (1A) and no requirement is made, then temporary disks should not be on any bowls used in that game. Is my interpretation of rule 9 correct? If not, I would welcome any suggestions on the subject of tempoary markings.
Jack Fernihough. 16th May 99
9A Specifications.
Bowls shall be made of wood, rubber or composition and shall be any colour acceptable to National authority. Bowls shall have a bias equal to or greater than the W.B.B. Reference bowl. Bowls made of rubber or composition shall have a maximum diameter of 131 mm and minimum diameter of 114 mm, and the weight shall not exceed 1.59. kg. Bowls made of wood (lignum vitae) shall have a maximum diameter of 134 mm and a minimum diameter of 114 mm and the weight shall not exceed 1.59 kg. All bowls shall bear a current valid stamp as determined by the National Authority.
9D Retesting of bowls.
The National Authority reserves the right to determine the frequency with which bowls in sets of four shall be retested and restamped.
9C Engraving of bowls.
Each bowl of a set shall bear the member's individual engraving, as a distinguishing mark, inside the smallest diameter grooved rings on each side, such marks to be proportional in size, identical in shape and colour and clearly visible from a distance of 1.5 metres. In addition to the manufacturer's name, a sponsor's name and/or a personal name may also be engraved on that same side of each bowl. If other grooved rings and/or dimples are coloured, each bowl in the set shall be coloured the same.
9D Temporary Markings.
The Controlling Body may supply and require players to temporarily affix a single adhesive marking to each side of their bowls in any competition game. Any marking under this law shall be regarded as part of the bowl for all purposes under these laws.