On the Jack – Blog #3 (New Season)

🟢 On the Jack – Blog #3 (New Season)

“The Sound of a Good Bowl”

Every sport has its soundtrack. Cricket has the crack of leather on willow, football has the roar of the crowd, and lawn bowls… well, lawn bowls has that sound.

You know the one.

The gentle click of wood against wood. The satisfying tap as a bowl nudges the jack. The collective “ooohhh” from the clubhouse veranda as a perfectly weighted shot glides into the head like it is following railway tracks.

It is the sound that keeps bowlers coming back season after season.

🎯 Music to a Bowler’s Ears

A good bowl does not just look right — it sounds right too. Experienced players can often tell from the moment the bowl leaves the hand whether it has a chance. There is a rhythm to it:

• smooth delivery

• balanced follow-through

• and that delicious final connection near the jack

Of course, there is another sound every bowler knows well:
the clunk of a bowl finding the ditch. Usually followed by someone quietly muttering,

“Well… I gave it a chance.”

🌱 Early Season Form

At this stage of the season, everyone is still rediscovering their touch. Some bowlers are already in mid-season rhythm. Others are bowling with all the precision of a shopping trolley with one dodgy wheel.

And that is perfectly normal.

Bowls is a game of feel, patience, and repetition. One week everything clicks. The next week your bowl seems personally offended by your instructions.

🤝 Etiquette Corner – Encouragement Matters

One of the finest traditions in bowls is encouraging good play — especially from newer members.

A quiet “good bowl” costs nothing but means everything to someone finding their confidence. After all, every experienced player remembers their own first decent shot… usually because they talked about it for the next six months.

☕ Clubhouse Chatter

• Roll-ups continue to attract excellent numbers.

• Several new members are already showing promising form.

• The tea rota is functioning beautifully.

• The biscuit tin, however, continues to suffer heavy losses.

Investigations are ongoing.

🌟 Final End Thought

There is something wonderfully calming about standing on the mat on a bright evening, bowl in hand, green stretching ahead, listening to the quiet sounds of the game.

The murmur of conversation.
The rustle of the trees.
And somewhere ahead…
that perfect little click.

That is bowls.

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, 10th May 2026
Alan Paterson, Press Officer.
This was the week in which Marine Gardens crowned its new Supreme Champion. After an excellent final, David Barlow lifted the beautiful trophy, overcoming Angela Neale in a match that kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish. Angela made the brighter start, opening up an early lead, but David stayed in touch, gradually applying pressure before pulling ahead in the final quarter to secure a 15–8 victory.

The standard of play was a credit to both finalists, and the warm applause from the many spectators reflected just how much the match was enjoyed. The presentation was followed by afternoon tea, our sincere thanks to Duncan and Anne who suplied us with delicious rolls and cake, before members enjoyed a friendly roll‑up—a fitting conclusion to a lovely occasion.

Earlier in the week, our bowlers returned from Lancing with four league points after a Brodie Tray match in which the rinks were shared two apiece. Lancing, however, claimed the overall honours 74–60. Top Rink for Marine Gardens went to Clive Wootton, Pam Duffield, and Tim Baldwin with an excellent 24–19 win.

Mixed fortunes followed in our two friendlies.
Norfolk proved too strong on the day, winning on three of the five rinks and taking the match 87–70. The home side’s bright spot came courtesy of Robert Wenman, Rob Hurst, Graeme Poole, and Jenny Ashman, who produced a fine 20–12 victory.

The week concluded with a much tighter contest against Tarring Priory, where the rinks were again shared two apiece. This time Marine Gardens edged the overall score 60–57—too close for comfort. Top Rink went to David Smith, Alan Paterson, Ken Leadbeater, and James Albon, who delivered an impressive 21–11 win.

Sadly, our Open Day fell victim to some much‑needed but very unwelcome rain. Even so, one brave couple ventured out, tried their hand, and have expressed a firm interest in joining us. Let us hope for kinder weather—and a busy green—when our next Open Day arrives on 24th May.