Which action should be taken when a bowl falls short and comes to rest less than 2 metres from the front ditch?

When a bowl falls short and comes to rest less than 2 metres from the front ditch, the appropriate action is to remove the bowl from play. This rule is in place to maintain the integrity and flow of the game, as bowls that do not meet the minimum distance requirements are not considered to contribute validly to the play. In this situation, the bowl does not have any impact on the outcome of that end and thus should be declared dead.

The rules of lawn bowls specify that any bowl that finishes within the 2-metre zone from the front ditch is not playable and must be taken out of the game to ensure that players can continue competing with valid bowls that can affect scoring and strategy. Understanding this aspect of the game is crucial for umpires to enforce fairness and adherence to the rules.

Other options, such as allowing the bowl to remain, declaring it a toucher, or repositioning the jack, would not align with the established game regulations regarding short bowls, reinforcing why the removal of the bowl is necessary.