Should the "giving away the mat" rule be changed?

[Nato Muzza Rulz]

I wanna know who the 2 people are who voted to keep the mat rule we currently have in place.
And I'd like to know the reason why those people enjoy this rule.
If you're willing to poll a vote, hopefully you're willing to tell us why.

I like it, y u ask, because it is a challenge, if u win the end then u should have the right to say/decide whether to keep the mate or give it away! Simple, people say bowlers are to good when they have last bowl, they will eventually not get the shot, then u have to be good enough to keep winning the end so u can have the last bowl.

[mickpacholli]

Hey, Nato...win the end... top advice man!

[Fatty]

I wanna know who the 2 people are who voted to keep the mat rule we currently have in place.
And I'd like to know the reason why those people enjoy this rule.
If you're willing to poll a vote, hopefully you're willing to tell us why.

I like it, y u ask, because it is a challenge, if u win the end then u should have the right to say/decide whether to keep the mate or give it away! Simple, people say bowlers are to good when they have last bowl, they will eventually not get the shot, then u have to be good enough to keep winning the end so u can have the last bowl.

I'm one of these people and it keeps the game interesting. Gives a team a choice. It add a bit more thinking to the game in my opinion. And that's right if you don't like getting the mat given to you just win an end and give it back. It is choice and giving it away is an option!!

[NoMitsyNo]

Hey, Nato...win the end... top advice man!

....and again.

[The Edge]

I hate the current rule. I'm sick of fronting up every Saturday and rolling down 50+ bowls and 25+ kitties. That's 25+ more deliveries than anybody else on the rink. It's just not fair. By the time I get to the bar, I'm too knackered to lift a heavy beer.

[Scottie]

I hate the current rule. I'm sick of fronting up every Saturday and rolling down 50+ bowls and 25+ kitties. That's 25+ more deliveries than anybody else on the rink. It's just not fair. By the time I get to the bar, I'm too knackered to lift a heavy beer.

You must had some horrific score-lines TE - the opposition wins the toss and gives you the mat, and the opposition give you the mat each time they win the end!

It's a good thing that the breweries make a drink for Metrosexuals and Girls - and poor knackered Leads in losing teams - its called light beer!

[papabear]

Giving the mat away and the 23 meter rule will both be changed back. If not world wide it will be a domestic reg change. Heard it from top official ( who will remain unnamed) at State event finals last week.

[sauce]

I hate the current rule. I'm sick of fronting up every Saturday and rolling down 50+ bowls and 25+ kitties. That's 25+ more deliveries than anybody else on the rink. It's just not fair. By the time I get to the bar, I'm too knackered to lift a heavy beer.

You must had some horrific score-lines TE - the opposition wins the toss and gives you the mat, and the opposition give you the mat each time they win the end!

It's a good thing that the breweries make a drink for Metrosexuals and Girls - and poor knackered Leads in losing teams - its called light beer!

Not to mention the fact that he doesn't even lead in pennant....

[Scottie]

Giving the mat away and the 23 meter rule will both be changed back. If not world wide it will be a domestic reg change. Heard it from top official ( who will remain unnamed) at State event finals last week.

Hopefully, both of these Laws will be amended when World Bowls meet in India in October later this year.

But don't believe your nameless top official.

Law 17.1 is very specific in respect to the aspects of the sport that Member National Authorities (of whom Australia is one) can make Domestic Regulations.

Law 18.4 and Law 23.1 are NOT within the ambit of Law 17.1 and therefore a MNA or State top official CANNOT create a Domestic Regulation in respect to these two Laws.

Law 18.4 (... the winner of the previous end should choose whether to ... tell the opposing player to place the matand deliver the jack and first bowl ...)
and
Law 23.1 dot point 3 (... the jack has been improperly delivered if it comes to rest ... less than 23 metres from the mat line ...)

[fossil]

Don't change the rule; I'm converted!
Played Pennants yesterday against a skip who was very effective with his last bowl. It was rare that we kept the mat for two ends in a row.
And our lead kept trying to throw long ends; plonked it in the desert and they ended up controlling the length most of the time anyway.
The opposing skip was just as effective on long ends so it didn't make much difference.
Our 'old school' skip didn't even contemplate giving the mat away and I think we paid the price.

[kiwi bowler]

So we should know in October of this year if the rule about giving away or keeping the mat is changed or not?

[mickpacholli]

So we should know in October of this year if the rule about giving away or keeping the mat is changed or not?

Yep

[eelynot]

So we should know in October of this year if the rule about giving away or keeping the mat is changed or not?

So it wont be changed this year if they,re meeting in October , they wouldn,t change a rule once the season has started.

[michaelw]

So we should know in October of this year if the rule about giving away or keeping the mat is changed or not?

So it wont be changed this year if they,re meeting in October , they wouldn,t change a rule once the season has started.

I've heard from a pretty good source that we'll be playing 'keep the mat' and 21m from the start of the Vic Pennant season - most likely as a domestic rule which will have the WBB blessing. 21m WON'T go international because it never was, but I've heard we'll be reverting to it here. Keep your eyes and ears open for further advancements!

[Keith Maniac]

... most likely as a domestic rule which will have the WBB blessing. 21m WON'T go international because it never was, but I've heard we'll be reverting to it here. Keep your eyes and ears open for further advancements!

Excellent news!!