Pennant bowls is organised club-versus-club competition, often the weekly backbone of an Australian bowls season. A newcomer can find the language confusing because the match involves more than one team and local rules vary.
Side, rink and match
A club enters a side, usually divided into teams or rinks that play separate games against another club. Individual rink results contribute to the overall side result. The number of players, ends and points awarded depends on the league. Check your district’s current conditions of play rather than assuming a format used elsewhere is universal.
What happens on match day?
The side manager confirms the team sheet, venue and start time. Players check the assigned rink, equipment, clothing requirements and any trial-end allowance. After play, the scorecards are reconciled and the side result is submitted through the league’s normal process. A clear scorecard matters even when the side result seems obvious.
How to prepare as a first-time player
Ask your skip which position you will play and what the team expects from the opening end. Bring approved footwear, your bowls and a measure if your role needs one. Arrive early enough to read both hands and meet the opposing rink. Keep the conversation between deliveries short and useful.
Where rules come from
World Bowls laws provide the sport’s framework, while domestic regulations and each league’s conditions of play decide many competition details. For example, eligibility, substitutions, points tables and weather procedures can differ. Read the local document for the current season before making a rules claim on the green.
Sources: Bowls North West 2026-27 conditions, World Bowls laws.
For a clearer look at a close club head, explore WGTS on iPhone or Android. Follow your competition's official measuring procedure for the result.