You’ve just entered your first singles competition and as the home player you’ve been told you need to get a marker, but you are not sure why. So what does a marker do, and why do you need one?
A marker is required in a singles match in bowls to control the head and ensure that it is not disturbed by wayward bowls from other rinks. They answer questions from the two players when asked, mark touchers and woods or jacks in the ditch, measure any shots if required, and keep the scorecard and board up to date.
So therefore it is important to get a marker for singles, and the more competent the better as you need to have confidence in them.
Table of Contents
What does a marker do
A marker can make a good game great, but there’s lots to do. Let’s take a look at the role a marker plays in the game.
Before the game starts
The marker should check that there are mats at both ends and a jack available on the rink. He should also ensure that there are ditch markers at each end to mark the position of the jack and any touchers that are live in the ditch. He should also ensure that he has chalk to mark touchers and a measure – it’s often advisable to have an umpires kit close to hand to cover any possibilities.
The marker will write up the scorecard with the name of the competition, the date, and the names of the two players. Once the start time is reached and both players are ready, the marker will introduce himself if not already done so, and toss a coin to see who will get the choice of going first. It is good also to advise the players of when touchers will be marked with chalk – immediately once they come to rest is advisable, although some markers will choose to do when the next bowl is en route.
During the game
At the start of the game it is usual to play 2 trial ends to aid the players getting used to the speed of the carpet. The marker will move each bowl in trial ends to the side, usually with each player’s on opposite sides. He will indicate to the players how far or how short the bowl finished.
Once the trial ends are over the players will start the game proper. The first player will roll the jack up the green and the marker will centre it, with the help of the player to confirm it is straight. This will continue on every end.
As the players take turns to play their bowls, the marker will mark any touchers with chalk (usually spray chalk these days, although a stick of chalk can be used). If a player has a question, the marker will answer it, without giving extra information away.
Once all the bowls have been played in an end, the marker will allow the players to decide who is holding and how many shots have been won on that end. If there are any doubts either player can ask the marker to measure. He should prop up any standing bowls with wedges and measure the shots that are in question. The players should watch and agree the marker’s measure, but if there are any doubts then an umpire can be called if there is one present.
Once the players have agreed the shots, then the marker should update the scoreboard and scorecard. A good marker will also advise the score to the players before he walks back down the green.
If one of the players plays an attacking shot and hits the head, then the marker must be aware if the jack is hit by that bowl. This isn’t always clear if the wood is fired down quickly, so he must have good reactions to get into a position where he can see clearly.
If the jack, or any touchers, are pushed into the ditch within the rink markers, then he will mark their position with a disc that can be seen from the other end. This will act as a guide for the players with their remaining bowls to come. Any woods that are pushed off the sides of the rink, whether they be touchers or not, should be recovered and placed on the bank as they are no longer in play on that end.
At all times the marker should be aware of what is going on in the rinks to either side. Maybe their jack has been moved to the side and so drawing woods may encroach onto the rink, potentially affecting the head. It’s also possible that the players on rinks next door may fire and hit woods or their jack across, so the marker must quickly protect the head of the rink he is marking.
So as you can see, there’s lots for a marker to do, and be aware of, and so he should never sit down whilst the match is on and should be ready to react to the surroundings. He should be alert and ready to answer questions at any point.
A good marker can make a game or indeed a bad one can indeed ruin one by disturbing the flow of play and the players’ concentration. He should stand to one side and stand still, not walking about, when the players are on the mat so that he doesn’t distract the players. But once the bowl is released then he should feel that he can get in the best position to see what is happening if needs be.
After the game
Once the game has finished and a winner has been decided, the marker should ensure the scorecard is complete and that both players sign it. He should then pass it to the umpire for checking if there is one, or return it to the winning player if the scorecard is to be sent off to the organising body.
He should then shake hands with both players and congratulate them on a good game. After a game the players often stay for a drink afterwards, if time permits, and the marker should be offered a drink as well as he has played his part in the match.
Conclusion – What does a marker do in bowls
As we have seen, a good marker can help make a good game great by quietly but confidently presiding over the head. So choose your marker wisely, and if you are asked to mark a game of singles, then I hope these tips will help you to do a great job. Some of the top players will use the same marker for their important games as they know that they will do a good job and also relax them.