Rain AND shine

Somewhat apprehensive before this evening's club Mixed Singles quarter final. Not at my best recently, and I'm playing a County player, one of the club's top performers. Will I be slaughtered in the best of three sets?

Thinking positive at the start. There's been light rain throughout the day. I've picked up that my opponent likes short ends and a fast green. Conditions are more sympathetic to my long ends style.

So positive, I'm happy to dispense with trial ends and get straight into it. Glad I did. Although it's his jack, I win the first by two. Even better on the second end and my long jack, another three to me! With only seven ends to play in each set, it's important not to let your opponent get too far ahead. So I'm really happy with the start.

Finding the line and length really easily, whereas he is short on too many bowls. A couple of single ends to him, but I win the rest with bowls consistently rolling up close to the jack. Even knock his shot bowl out on a couple of ends. First set 11-2 to me!

My jack for the start of the second set. Another long end wins me three. He again wins just two single bowl ends. Second set 9-1 to me. The quarter final is mine, 2-0 in sets!

Without doubt the best I've played all season and my most significant career win yet. In fact, so good my opponent asked if I'd partner him in next year's County Pairs, and with another County player in the County Triples! Skipped off home feeling on top of the world. Even happier after a whisky and a couple of sherries. Of the six club competitions entered, I'm in two semi-finals, two quarter-finals and have been knocked out in two quarter-finals. Finals Day is just over three weeks away. Gulp!

Thinking of getting the scorecard framed. Here it is.