Walking on air

Quarter final of the Two Bowl Club competition. Had a really good win in the previous round against one of our top bowlers. Going into this evening's battle feeling optimistic.

Crazy really. My opponent is no less than the National Two Bowls Singles Champion for 2001 and 2017. A study in concentration, his routine is exactly the same for every bowl. Same few seconds of concentration. The follow through gives the impression he's reluctant to release the bowl. Not ashamed to say I've mirrored some of my delivery on his style.

His choice of rink. Graciously gives me the choice. Rink five again. When the marker asks if we want trial ends and my opponent says he doesn't need them, I'm somewhat hustled into agreeing. I'm two down after the first end. Been raining throughout the day so the green is heavy and my two bowls are short.

Recover with a single on the next end, my second right on the jack. But I'm struggling with length, trailing through the first half of the match. Playing much better by the second half. Weight much more accurate, getting a perfect line on the wide hand.

I'm discovering one of my opponent's strengths. On several ends I'm sitting with both bowls right up to and in front of the jack, considering I've got a safe two. Each time he delivers an inch-perfect last bowl to squeeze past mine for a single. Easy to understand how he must demoralise the opposition.

By end twenty-three I'm down 13-17. Then play a long jack. Get perfect weight. Full length ends are starting to trouble my opponent. The last five are mine and a 22-17 win. This certainly ranks as my best win in the seven years I've been bowling. In a daze all evening. Here's the scorecard.