How did I lose that?

Second of this year's friendly matches against Kevin, ex-workmate. It's his home match at St Andrew's Bowls Club, Biggleswade. My bowls have been improving. Got down to focusing on the aiming point and weight of delivery. No looking at the jack after an initial assessment.

Certainly seems to be working. After an initial exchange, I cruise ahead. After ten ends it's 12 - 5 to me. The green has a marked incline. Generally plays heavy because the greenkeeper overwaters. So aways found it hard to get full length up the slope. But my new strategy of taking a small step forward when necessary as part of my crouched style works wonders.

By end 15 I'm within one good score to win, ahead 17 - 9. A couple of ends later Kevin gets a three. Not worried, still comfortable at 18 - 12. The next end to me, now 19 - 12.

Then Kevin stages a quite remarkable recovery. The next seven ends are his. On several he stays in the match with his last bowl. Every one is a single to him. Can he really stand such pressure? He certainly can as the score is now 19 - 19!

End twenty-six is Kevin's with a 2, and the match. What a comeback! I've got no complaints over my form. This result makes the overall score now 6 - 5 to Kevin. Summary below, scorecard at the bottom.

Date	Location	Result	More info
Sep 2014	Biggleswade	Kevin 21 - 14 John	Click here
Sep 2015	St Ives	John 21- 16 Kevin	Click here
Sep 2016	Biggleswade	Kevin 21- 19 John	Click here
Apr 2017	St Ives	John 22 - 15 Kevin	Click here
Sep 2017	Biggleswade	Kevin 21 - 9 John	Click here
Jul 2018	Biggleswade	John 21 - 18 Kevin	Click here
Sep 2018	St Ives	John 21 - 18 Kevin	Click here
Jun 2019	Biggleswade	Kevin 21 - 14 John	Click here
Sep 2019	St Ives	Kevin 21 - 1 John	Click here
Jun 2020	St Ives	John 22 - 16 Kevin	Click here
Sep 2020	Biggleswade	Kevin 21 - 19 John