Page 22 - Autumn 2017

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22 Their numerous victories and how to correct this imbalance has occupied many an
hour at past Annual General Meetings. The appendix in the rule-book could be the
longest chapter. It is with this in mind that anyone considering the introduction of handi-
caps must make sure that the handicap rules are ‘watertight’.
Looking back over the years, it is quite comical to see what has happened. Team ‘A’ were
playing and losing a triples game, in one of their matches. They agreed a change of order of
play with their opponents, turned the game around and won. This ‘tactic’ was questioned at the
next A.G.M. It is now prohibited in the C.V.I.B.T. to change the order of play in triples games!
John Downs

Ed - I have listed the relevant National rule below. Let me get this straight a team is play-
ing legally by the National Rules of our sport but a bunch of losers were not happy with them fol-
lowing the rules, so you have agreed to break the rules of our sport. Don’t you think this is the
road to chaos? If every loser changed what they don’t like, this would destroy our sport and thus
what’s the point of having rules in the first place?

Hi Bob,
Club Handicap events (AL), At Sidford we run a handicap competition and it seems to work
very well. I would suggest trying the following:- Last year’s winners off scratch, League players
get 1 shot, Club/non-league players get 2 shots, Over 85’s get 3 shots and New players get 4
shots. This would be for an 8 end game

Fender Fixing

I would just like to say that if the fender is of the maximum permitted depth then adding Velcro
underneath it may raise it above the maximum permitted level which could maybe prevent a fir-
ing shot going over the fender whereas it would of if the fender was the correct depth.
Ed - not that many fenders are legal are they? The rules basically state a fender shall not
be less than 70mm high (2.75 “) nor more than 75mm high (3”), so there is a quarter inch of dif-
ference and Velcro would not make that much of a real difference, especially as you can’t really
get 3” wood as it is normally planed down and is less than 3”. I have seen all sorts of fenders
over the years..

Singles Marking

One rule query.- In a singles game it states that the marker will measure only when requested…
.does that mean the players can measure if they like or does it mean that if a measure is re-
quired that the marker is required to do it? It seems that it is generally accepted in league
games that the marker always measures and the players stand back.
Evan Williams

Ed - there is of course no specific rule on this and I have never seen players measuring in
these circumstances. If anyone reads the full rules on measuring you will see that there are very
good reasons why they shouldn’t. To me it does not matter who measures and there may be an
Umpire available but it should be remembered that the Marker may well be fully capable of
marking but may be unable to get down to measure. I am finding it harder to get back up these
days!