John Branfield’s request [1] for the mathematics of bowls was too tempting to resist. What follows comprises a simple model for the curve upon which the bowls move, an explanation of how and why they move as they do and an attempt to refine the model of the curve. The search for a model proved to be addictive and effectively displaced many other activities. One of the reasons for this was the way in which the investigation involved so many people with interesting contributions to make. In order to give a flavour of the investigation, I have taken the liberty of giving a somewhat personal rather than strictly mathematical account, the mathematics being no less important.

Since there is far more mathematics even quite elementary mathematics than anyone can carry in their working memory, it must follow that results which are unused will be forgotten, and are then often rediscovered after many years. A tour of some old haunts which are now being opened up again would therefore seem not out of place in a centenary number of the Gazette. Tourists, however, will need some preliminary briefing if they are to enjoy the tour fully.

The rationale for the introduction of the system of three points for a win in the Football League in 1981-82 was, presumably, that more reward for winning games would encourage more positive attitudes from teams and that the consequent more attractive and attacking football would bring in bigger crowds. Certainly the philosophy of many away teams, or at least their managers, that they began a game at 0-0 with one point to hang on for had become commonplace in recent seasons.