On the Jack – Blog #9(New Season)

🟢 On the Jack – Blog #9 (New Season)

The Last Bowl of the End

There’s a special kind of silence that falls over a bowls green when the last bowl of the end is about to be delivered.

Conversations stop.

Supporters teacups pause halfway to mouths.

Even the seagulls seem to pay attention.

Because the final bowl has the power to change everything.

A losing end can become a winning one.

A single shot can alter everthing.

And a bowler who looked perfectly relaxed thirty seconds earlier suddenly develops the expression of someone attempting open-heart surgery with a garden fork.

🎯 The Pressure Bowl

Every player remembers certain last bowls.

The one that drew perfectly onto the jack.

The one that trailed the jack back for a count of four.

And, inevitably, the one that looked magnificent until the final two feet.

That’s bowls.

Glory and heartbreak often travel side by side.

🌱 A Lesson for New Bowlers

New players sometimes think the skip’s final bowl must always be spectacular.

In reality, the best last bowls are often the simplest.

• Remove opponent’s shot bowl.

• Draw in for second shot.

• Guard the jack.

• Or simply avoid making things worse.

Experienced skips know that good decision-making is every bit as important as good delivery.

📚 A Little Bowls History

In traditional fours, the skip’s last bowl was often referred to as the “money bowl” because it frequently decided the outcome of the end.

Long before televised finals and electronic scoreboards, club members would gather around the head to watch the skip’s final delivery with exactly the same anticipation we see today.

Some things in bowls never change.

🤝 Etiquette Corner – Respect the Moment

When a player is delivering the final bowl of the end:

• Stand still.

• Stay out of their line of sight.

• Avoid commentary until the bowl has finished.

• Save the celebrations until the result is clear.

A well-respected bowls green is one where every player gets the chance to deliver under fair conditions.

☕ Clubhouse Chatter

• Several matches this week were decided on the final bowl.

• One skip claimed they were “completely calm.”

• Witnesses have disputed this, citing visible eyebrow activity.

• The biscuit tin survived until half-time, which may be a seasonal record.

😄 This Week’s Green-Side Quote

“I had a clear plan for my last bowl…”

“What was it?”

“I’m not entirely sure anymore.”

🌟 Final End Thought

The last bowl of the end is one of the great dramas of lawn bowls.

Sometimes it wins the shot.

Sometimes it saves the shot.

Sometimes it creates a story that gets retold for years.

And sometimes, after all the tension and careful preparation, it finishes exactly where the bowler intended.

Which is why everyone looks so surprised when it happens.

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, 21st June 2026
Alan Paterson, Press Officer.
Marine Gardens Bowling Club – Report for Week Ending Sunday 21st June 2026 by Alan Paterson, Press Officer

Marine Gardens participated in three competitive fixtures this week, all of which were closely fought and played in excellent spirit. Although the results did not fall our way, there was plenty of quality bowling and several standout performances.

WSBL v Crablands The WSBL match against Crablands could hardly have been tighter. The overall aggregate finished level at 61–61, but with Crablands winning three of the four rinks they secured 7 of the 10 points.
A determined late surge from Nour Dissem, Julian Ogglesby, Duncan Gayler and Graeme Poole brought them within just two shots of turning their rink into a match‑winning advantage for Marine Gardens. A fine effort.

Top Rink honours went to the impressive quartet of Brian Jones, Rod Smith, Ken Leadbeater and James Albon, who recorded an excellent 21–14 victory.

Stracey League v Worthing Another tight contest followed in the Stracey League, with the match finishing two rinks apiece. Worthing edged the aggregate 67–61 to take the 6 points. Top Rink for Marine Gardens came from Pat Hogan, Pam Duffield, Alan Paterson, and Bob Cole, who secured a well‑earned 21–17 win in a match played with great competitiveness and good humour.

Centenary Bowl – 1st Leg at Horsham the week continued with a trip to Horsham for the opening leg of the Centenary Bowl. Played in warm sunshine on an excellent green, the home side established a 15‑shot advantage to carry into the return leg.

Top Rink on the day was claimed by Nour Dissem, Antonia Dudley‑Smith, Alan Paterson, and Graham Ray. The disappointment of the result was eased by the superb refreshments provided by our hosts.

Captain’s Day The week concluded on a cheerful note with a well‑supported Captain’s Day competition. Roger Parrish, Linda Gayle, Ken Leadbeater and Angela Neale emerged as Top Rink, while Albert Leatham took the honours in the Spider competition. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon all round.