On the Jack – Blog #4(New Season)

🟢 On the Jack – Blog #4 (New Season)

“The Characters of the Club”

Every bowls club has them. In fact, no club would feel complete without them. The greens may be immaculate, the clubhouse polished, and the tea hot enough to remove wallpaper but it is the characters who truly bring a bowls club to life.

You will recognise a few of these immediately…

🎩 The Club Historian

Usually found near the scoreboard, the Historian can remember every competition winner since 1983 and still refers to matches from “that glorious summer of ’97.”

They begin most conversations with:

“In my day…”

…and somehow every story ends with someone bowling on grass “twice as heavy as this.”

🎯 The Perfectionist

One bowl six inches from the jack? Mild disappointment.
One bowl touching the jack? Acceptable.
Three bowls grouped perfectly around the jack? Finally, inner peace.

The Perfectionist spends more time studying the green than some people spend planning holidays.

☕ The Social Bowler

Now this is an important member of any club.

The Social Bowler enjoys the game enormously but is equally committed to the tea break, biscuit selection, raffle tickets, and clubhouse conversation. Their greatest strength is making new members feel welcome within about thirty seconds of arrival.

Every club needs these people.

📏 The Expert Measurer

Calm under pressure. Steady hands. The ability to crouch for alarming lengths of time.

The Expert Measurer approaches a close shot like a surgeon entering theatre. Silence falls. Spectators lean forward. Someone whispers,

“This is tight…”

Three minutes later the decision is announced with all the ceremony of a royal proclamation.

🌱 The Newcomer

We have all been this person. Nervous first delivery. Quiet uncertainty about the rules. Wondering whether everyone else somehow understands the mysterious mathematics of bias.

And then comes that first really good bowl.
The smile appears.
The confidence grows.
And suddenly they are hooked for life.

🤝 The Real Secret of Bowls Clubs

The truth is that bowls clubs are not just built on competitions and scorecards. They are built on personalities, friendships, encouragement, laughter, and shared stories.

That is why people keep coming back year after year.

Well… that and the biscuits and cake.

☕ Clubhouse Chatter

• Strong turnout again for roll-ups this week

• New members settling in brilliantly.

• One heated debate continues regarding the correct biscuit-to-tea ratio.

• No official ruling has yet been reached.

🌟 Final End Thought

Some clubs have fancy facilities.
Some have championship trophies.

But the best clubs?
They have characters.

And long may they continue.

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, 17th May 2026
Alan Paterson, Press Officer.
Members began the week in fine spirits with a well‑attended social evening on Tuesday, enjoying a lively shuffleboard contest at Worthing Indoor Bowls Club. Another excellent night of fun and camaraderie, expertly organised by our ever‑dependable social secretary, Wendy Wilson.

This week served up a trio of contrasting fixtures, with Henfield providing the friendly “sandwich filling” between two competitive encounters against our near neighbours, Worthing.

Marine Gardens opened strongly with a home victory in the Brodie Tray, winning 3–1 and securing an aggregate score of 68–57. Gerry Perch and Graeme Poole set the tone with an excellent 23–12 Top Rink performance, helping us bank a very welcome 8 early‑season points.

Later in the week, Worthing reversed the outcome in a Stracey Shield match, edging the contest by taking two rinks, drawing one and losing one. Their 66–52 aggregate win earned them 7 of the available 10 points.

Marine Gardens did, however, claim Top Rink honours in dramatic fashion: Nour Dissem, John Nettleingham, Perry Cairns and Tim Baldwin held their nerve to score two shots on the final end, sealing a 16–14 win and adding a little warmth to what proved a decidedly chilly afternoon.

Between these league fixtures we welcomed Henfield for a friendly comprising five triples. Marine Gardens won three of the rinks, but Henfield’s stronger overall scoring saw them take the aggregate 77–69, meaning bragging rights were evenly shared. The standout Marine Gardens trio were Peter Guy, John Nettleingham (again making his mark), and Trevor Punnett with a fine 20–11 win.

A week of mixed fortunes, competitive spirit, and some excellent individual performances, all signs of a season beginning to take shape.