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BOWLING IN SCOTLAND - from my experience. November 2006

In the summer of 2005 when we had made the decision to move to Bonnybridge we thought it would be nice to visit our new team playing a friendly match against local rivals Allendale. On arriving at the club my first comments were “they must play a different format in friendlies here because 2 are playing rinks, one pairs and the other singles”. Thinking nothing of it we went into the clubhouse to buy a drink and bumped into a guy we knew. “Not playing today” says Mike “Oh yes” - says John we’ve just nipped into the hospitality room for a quick half. (of Whisky that is),  Over the next 15 mins we started to get the gist of what a friendly match consists of here in Scotland. Everyone enjoys there afternoon out and gets a few ends of bowls and a nice meal as well.
It is much different to what I was used to in Berkshire.
So here is a run down of a typical friendly, normally played at weekends.
Dress for the day is Club Blazer, Greys, White Shirt and Club Tie not much difference there - except for “no whites”.  On away games - no matter how close or far the away team resides Bonnybridge always have a coach to take them there and of course deliver them back home.   Teams normally consist of 4 rinks playing 15 ends and very rarely have tea at halftime. So the game begins, visitors jack no trials just one shot on the first end.  On the second or third end the lead (or any other member of the team) will vacate to the bar, with his neighbour, for a quick half; returning, sometimes, in time to start the next end. Then throughout the entire match and from any rink any amount of players from 2 to 8 can be seen either on the rink or in the bar.  Some make only a couple of visits during the game others more.  Now we know why they use a coach!!  Now don’t get me wrong the games are still fairly competitive but the accent is on enjoying you day out.
Having spent my first season here I have noticed that most teams playing at Bonnybridge arrive by coach.  Suffice to say that the bar takings are up on match days.  Luckily or unluckily I don’t drink spirits but still make a couple of visits for soft drink or a bottle of beer (depending on whether or not I have the car).
 It’s a different story when you play in Trophy or League games here the accent is on winning and Bonnybridge did their fair share of that this season winning one and being runner up in the other league they played in.
Now for the good bit as individuals we pay no green fees and nothing for our transport. All this is paid for out of our membership fee and the bar profits. (Membership costs about 50% more than what I paid in Reading).

Another factor which makes this game so different, in my experience, here in Scotland is that for bounce or Bunnet games (which I formerly knew as Roll-ups and points) the dress code is casual. You can wear anything you like except Football Colours and Shorts.  Even Jeans are accepted but not worn by many in our club. Now isn’t that a sensible dress code!!!

Our clubs bunnet (points) night is friday and we get an average of 6 rinks each week. After the bowls the majority stay for a drink and a chat or a game of cards, pool or dominoes. The bar stays pretty full until 11.00 ish and sometimes later. A few stay till much later.

To be continued