Employing both brain cells

Since the revelation described in Playing the right length, my indoor bowling experience seems to have improved markedly. Last week approached the mat with some trepidation. Not played for three weeks. Had my best game to date. Nevertheless lost to the second bottom team (we're bottom) in a tight match.

This evening it's the Royal Oak, two places above us. Right from the start at least one of my two bowls is near the jack. All four of us play well. Result? A 20-9 win to us.

So what's changed? Towards the end of last year's outdoor season, at last clocked how to bowl a consistent line. Bit more of a struggle indoors. Got really bendy bowls. Seems so wrong to aim more than half way across the adjoining rink. Having overcome a subconscious desire to bowl narrowly, don't need to expend so much thought on line. Out of thirty-two bowls delivered this evening, only two were off line.

With that degree of consistency, can focus all my brain power on the swing. No, not length. Certainly have a look at where the jack is, but after that I concentrate on a smooth backswing and follow through, adjusted for the length of the jack.

Result? A few ends played too long then overcompensated with a short delivery. But on most had a least one, sometimes two, bowls near the jack. Can't wait to get cracking on outdoor bowls four weeks on Saturday. Here's the scorecard from this evening.