Seeking inspiration

Although it's a week since the last post, hasn't been a bowl-less one. Tuesday's social roll up was a struggle finding length, the green lightning-fast. And Thursday's solo practise was a wash-out, terminated by much-needed rain. So it's down the Club this evening seeking inspiration from some more practise. Keen to ensure I'm ready for my Men's Four Bowls semifinal and only chance to make Finals Day this year.

The quarter-final match is 'provisionally' being played tomorrow at 5.00pm. No guess where I'll be... with a ringside seat watching the outcome to see who my opponent is for the semi-final. Had a brain-wave. Why not check all the competition scorecards stored in the clubhouse to see which rinks are favoured by the two quarter-finalists? Rinks four and five. So that's where my two solo practise sessions are based.

Come away feeling positive, the result of ten ends with three or four bowls within three feet of the jack. And a few spectacular ones with three or more within two feet, as per above example. Okay, that's out of thirty-six ends. But hey... that's not a bad result!

Realise that by eradicating all body movement other than the arm, there's a greater tendency to bowl short. Without any forward body momentum, each bowl needs a harder push than in the past. Harder than my brain tells me is required.

Also clock that solo practise is never going to measure up to a real match. Found on Thursday that without an opponent to provide a break between each delivery, the tendency is to deliver four bowls machine-gun style. Result, too easy a repetition of the same fault. Seemed a much better session with a pause between each delivery.

Overall results this evening nothing to write home about. At least reached the target of 50% of bowls within three feet. Here's the summary and scorecards.