Tips:

• 🧭 Watch your lead – they are your green’s thermometer.

• ⛏️ Keep your delivery consistent – do not over-correct.

• ⚖️ And remember: no good ever came from the words, “Just a bit more weight.”

📏 New Bowlers’ Brief – The Two-Metre Rule

Ever wondered why skips pull out a tape measure before you have even bowled? It is the two-metre rule: the jack must be at least 23 metres from the mat — and cannot be within two metres of the ditch.

Think of it as the Jack’s personal space.’ Respect it, or you will be re-delivering in front of a giggling and pleased opposition.

❓ Your Questions Answered

Q: Is it rude to cheer your own bowl?

A: Not at all — but if you cheer the wrong one, we will tell everyone over tea.

Q: Why do skips frown so much?

A: Because every time you say, “I’ll just try something different,” a skip dies a little inside.

🗣️ Heard on the Green

“I am not short – I am just tactically placing blockers.”

“Your bowl is on a lovely line – just two rinks over.”

“Nice length – Thanks, shame about the direction.”

🧁 Final End

With the season turning the corner and the club buzzing with friendly banter, it is the perfect time to remind ourselves why we bowl: for the challenge, for the chuckles, and yes, for the tea and cake at the end.

Stay focused, stay fair, and always stay “On the Jack.”

This week on the Green – Club News and Activities.

Weekly Report – Week Ending Sunday, 13th July 2025
By Alan Paterson, Press Officer

Marine Gardens bounced back to winning form this week with a closely contested Stracey Shield home fixture against Worthing Pavilion. Victory was clinched on 3 rinks to 1, with a final scoreline of 62-58 reflecting the nip-and-tuck nature of the contest. Top Rink honours were earned by the impressive quartet of Nick Sinden, Wendy Wilson, David Barlow, and Ivan Godsmark, securing a hard-fought 19-14 win. It is always satisfying to get a result against an experienced Pavilion team—well done, team!

Further success followed in our WSBL clash at Worthing, where rink wins were shared 2 apiece, but Marine Gardens edged ahead on shots to take the match by a single point—58-57, earning 6 out of the 10 available points. The cornerstone of this narrow victory came from Leon White, Trevor Punnett, Duncan Gayler and Graeme Poole, who posted a commanding 21-8 scoreline. A determined final push from one of our losing rinks, which claimed the last 5 ends, highlighted the club’s trademark grit. The spirited afternoon was rounded off with warm hospitality and a hearty snack—thank you to our gracious hosts.

Not every result went our way, though. We faced local rivals Goring Manor in the Brodie Tray, with the match ending in a 2-1 loss, alongside 1 halved rink. A bright spot came from the pairs game, where Bob Cole and Ivan Godsmark delivered a resounding 24-8 victory, reminding us of all that resilience comes in many forms.

☀️ Sadly, our scheduled visit to Billingshurst was cancelled due to extreme heat. A rare case of sunshine stealing the spotlight. Cooler days ahead—we hope.

And as we roll on into another week, let us keep our heads cool, our shots precise, and our teacups steady—because at Marine Gardens, even the weather cannot outshine our spirit.