On the Jack – Blog #10(New Season)

🟢 On the Jack – Blog #10 (New Season)

“The Measure of a Good Sport”

“The tape measures the bowls - Good sportsmanship measures the player.”

There comes a moment in many bowls matches when every player instinctively leans forward.

The bowls have all been delivered.

The head is complete.

The score could swing either way.

And someone quietly says…

“We’ll have to measure that.”

Suddenly, the chatter stops.

Players gather respectfully around the head, careful not to disturb a single bowl. The tape measure appears with almost ceremonial importance, and for a few seconds the entire green holds its breath.

Who knew a few millimetres could create so much excitement?

📏 Every Millimetre Matters

One of the beauties of lawn bowls is that there are no “close enough” decisions.

The bowl is either nearest the jack…

…or it is not.

Sometimes the difference is so tiny it can barely be seen.

That is why the measure has become one of the most trusted pieces of equipment in our sport.

It does not favour experience.

It does not reward reputation.

It simply tells the truth.

🌱 A Lesson for New Bowlers

If you are new to bowls, do not be disappointed if a measure goes against you.

Some of the finest shots ever played have been beaten by the smallest fraction.

That is part of the magic.

Today’s narrow loss often becomes tomorrow’s winning shot because every close measure teaches you something about weight, line, and consistency.

📚 A Little Bowls History

Long before laser measures and precision callipers, bowlers relied on lengths of string, simple tapes, and plenty of careful judgement.

While the equipment has improved over the years, the principle remains exactly the same:

Be fair. Be accurate. Be respectful.

Those values have always been at the heart of the game.

🤝 Etiquette Corner – Winning with Grace

When a measure is called, let the appointed player complete the task without distraction.

Accept the outcome with good humour, whether it goes your way or not.

A smile and a simple “Well bowled” are often remembered far longer than the result itself.

After all, the spirit of bowls is not measured in inches—it is measured in respect.

☕ Clubhouse Chatter

• The club measure has once again proved more accurate than four confident opinions.

• One member insisted their bowl “looked closer from my angle.”

• The tape respectfully disagreed.

• Tea afterwards restored complete harmony.

😄 This Week’s Green-Side Quote

“I only lost by a millimetre.”

“Yes…”

” …but I am counting it as a moral victory!”

🌟 Final End Thought

The measure settles the score.

Character settles everything else.

Every match will have winners and runners-up.

But the players who shake hands, share a laugh, and enjoy a cup of tea afterwards are the ones who understand what bowls is all about.

That is a standard no tape measure can ever record.

See you, “On the Jack.”

Your Rink-side Rambler, Norman Deegan.

THIS WEEK ON THE GREEN – Club News and Activities

🗞️ Marine Gardens Bowling Club Weekly Report

Week Ending Sunday, 28th June 2026
Alan Paterson, Press Officer.
In a week dominated by soaring temperatures — with two fixtures sensibly cancelled due to excessive heat — Marine Gardens bowlers still found time to shine. Our sole competitive outing took us to Goring Manor for a WSBL fixture, and the team rose magnificently to the challenge.

Basking in the sunshine, Marine Gardens produced one of their most emphatic performances of the season, securing a superb 4–0 rink victory with an aggregate score of 92–35, earning the full 10 league points. Every rink passed the 20‑shot mark, a testament to disciplined bowling and confident teamwork. The standout performance came from Bob Cole, Mark Charlottes, Perry Cairns, and Ivan Godsmark, who delivered an impressive 25–7 win.

Our hosts were gracious in defeat, offering warm congratulations and promising a spirited response when next we meet.

Sunday brought us back down to earth with a friendly triples match at home against Southwater. The contest was evenly balanced across the rinks, finishing 2–2, but Southwater edged the overall shot count 69–61 to take the honours.

There was, however, a lovely moment for Marine Gardens: our club photographer Betty Stevenson, who works tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the season, stepped out from behind the lens to feature on the Top Rink alongside Nick Sinden and Bob Cole. A well‑deserved highlight — well done, Betty.