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Alternate leading in 6-man Division 4
A fundamental aim of the Association is to enable as many veterans as possible, to enjoy playing as much bowls as possible, for as long as possible.
Time is a cruel bowls partner and as we age, for many, we increasingly struggle to reach the longest marks. For too many veteran bowlers health/mobility issues can limit their game and ultimately lead to them withdrawing from competitive bowling. A number of veteran’s leagues have recognised this issue and, for example, have a maximum distance for setting a mark.
Over winter some careful thought has gone into how our veterans league could possibly address the issue. There has also been useful discussion and consultation with YCCGBA and Bowls Development Alliance, who are keen to support this sort of initiative. In conclusion it has been decided, with the backing of the vast majority of clubs at the AGM, to trial a method of play that is know as alternate leading.
Alternate leading is not new and is particularly common at youth level. It sees opponents taking turns to have first attempt at setting a new mark regardless of who won the previous end. This helps balance a game and prevent “strength” alone being a deciding factor.
The trial will take place for the duration of the 2025 season but ONLY IN DIVISION 4 OF THE 6-MAN LEAGUE. The trial does NOT apply to the Julie Fuller competition in any way.
The league’s bye-laws have been updated to accommodate the trial, the changes being encapsulated in rule 8a) as below:
8a) All league and competitions games are governed by the BCGBA laws of the game, but for 6-man Division 4 league games where the rule 3.2 will be modified as follows: The winner of an end is the player whose bowl is nearest the jack or, if all the bowls of the opponent(s) are out of play, still has at least one bowl in play. The bowler or pair that had the last bowl to play in a completed end shall be the leader and have the first attempt to set a mark at the succeeding end. In this way the lead and first attempt to set a mark will alternate between opponents on each completed end. In pairs either of the pair may be the leader.
Taking turns to lead is the simply way to read the rule.
In all other respects the rules remain the same, such as in the case of failing to set a mark, or if there is a void or dead end. For those of you playing in Div 4 of the 6-man (or just interested to know) you will find a couple of ‘frequently asked questions’ below which cover the likely scenario.
We’d like to thank all the clubs and teams for their support, wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to having their feedback through the season.
FAQs
Q/ If the leader fails to set a mark, due to being short of the required 19m or having sent the jack into the channel, what happens next?
A/ Their opponent will then take the jack and attempt to set a mark. If the opponent successfully sets a mark they will still keep their turn to have first attempt at setting a mark on the subsequent end.
Q/ If there is a dead or void end, who has first attempt to set the next mark when the end is replayed?
A/ The first attempt to set a new mark, after a void or dead end, shall be made by the same player who set the mark in the void/dead end. If the leader failed to set a mark and it was their opponent that set the mark (as above), it will be their opponent who will have first attempt to set a mark when the end is replayed – and the opponent will still keep their turn to have first attempt at setting a mark on the subsequent end.