Crown Green Bowling

Watch this video about the club and bowling.

Crown green bowling is different to lawn bowls because, in lawn bowls the game is played straight up and down on a flat area whereas the crown green game is played on a green with a mound on it. The crown green game is also played in any direction across the green and the shape of the green affects the way the bowl travels.
The game is played with a pair of bowls which have sizes and weights to suit each individual player. A smaller bowl called the Jack is used as the target and a small rubber mat is used as the start position.
The bowls and the jack are made so they have what is called a bias. This makes them curve as they are rolled across the green. The bias amount is equal on both the bowls and the Jack.
The game commences with the mat placed on the ground and one foot placed on it. The placed foot will depend whether the player is left or right handed. If right handed then the right foot is placed on the mat if left handed then the left foot is placed on the mat.
With the foot on the mat the Jack is rolled across the green and must reach a minimum of 19 metres. Whilst the foot is still on the mat the first bowl is rolled towards the Jack trying to get as close as possible. Still with the foot on the mat the second bowl is sent towards the Jack.
When playing an opponent each player takes it in turn to play their first bowl and then their second bowl. The player whose bowl, or bowls, finishes nearest the Jack wins that end. Ends are played until one player reaches twenty one points.

Before player one rolls the Jack he must tell his opponent which side the bias on the Jack is. This is refered to as “Finger” or “Thumb”.
The Jack will have three dots and a small circle on one side and a small circle on the other side. The small circle is the bias side. If this is nearest the thumb it is a “Thumb Peg”, if it is nearest the little finger then it is a “Finger Peg”.
The bowls themselves will have a dimple on one side which denotes the bias side. If the dimple is close to the thumb that is “Thumb Peg” if close to the little finger then it is “Finger Peg”.

Although this may sound complicated, once a couple of games are played it all becomes clear.