Pointless

Men's Fours league match this evening, away against Eaton Socon A. After last week's disastrous performance for the A Team, I'm playing third for the B Team. Three rinks, each side of four bowlers throwing two bowls each.

On our rink we're in trouble from the start. Drop a five early on and never look forward. At times we're embarrassingly behind until we pick up a few towards the end. Lose 21-30.

Some heads disastrous, bowls counting one or even two yards away from the jack. Only their skip and my opposite number three play decently. Poor considering it's their home green. At times the bowl suddenly straightens out or develops a strange kink. To add to our misery, lose narrowly on the other two rinks. End up with no points, 0-7.

Beginning to think it's also pointless playing for the Men's League teams. Committed every Thursday evening. Other evenings taken up too. Playing a cup match tomorrow, another next Tuesday evening. You only play two bowls per end, then wait ages before the next two. Even if you play well, any close bowls are invariably knocked out by the opposition skip.

And the cheese and ham rolls. We had them served up again this evening for 'tea', the rolls a particularly cheap version. Eight bowlers sat around a table trying to drum up something to say.  All of us wishing we were off home. Didn't get back until 10.15pm.

So seriously thinking of playing for one of the Over 60s teams instead next year. Wednesday afternoons. Triples. Tea and biscuits at half time. Much more civilised. Probably better for my bowls too.