On the Jack

Post #6: Ends, Ends, Ends – And the People Who Survive Them

The Anatomy of an End

Every end is a tiny epic. There’s drama, strategy, subtle glances, and someone who steps on the mat just as someone else is measuring.

Here is the average lifecycle of an end:

1.  Mat placed with all the seriousness of a moon landing.

2.  Jack rolled – ideally straight, sometimes resembling a drunken ferret.

3.  Lead delivers – quietly confident, hoping not to hear “a tad heavy.”

4.  Seconds grumble, thirds pretend they knew the line all along.

5.  The skip arrives, looks around like a detective at a crime scene, then says: “We’re one down, but we’re holding second... unless that’s theirs.”

The Mid-End Conversation Breakdown

-  “Is that ours?”

-  “Whose bowl is that?”

-  “Did that get a touch?”

-  “How many have they got in?”- “Wait... who’s bowling next?”

By the time everyone agrees, the shot clock (if there were one) would be weeping.

Endless Ends

Some ends just... go on. Someone has gone to get a measure. Someone has gone to the toilet. Either way, the action halts. Tensions rise. Teammates start whispering things like: “I swear we started this end last week.”

Legendary Ends in Club History

Every club has That One End:

-  The one where the jack was knocked virtually into the next rink and still counted.

-  The one where four bowls touched the jack, bounced off the bank and were still in play.

-  The one where someone’s phone rang during delivery... and they still drew a shot.

-  The one where nobody could agree on the score, so they just gave it a tie and went for tea.

Ask the Skip: Your Questions Answered

Q: “How do I stay focused in long ends?”

A: Long ends are like family dinners — you need patience, snacks, and the ability to nod along like you know what is happening.

Stay hydrated. Stay cheerful. And most of all, pretend you have been listening to the skip’s instructions even when you have not

Final End

Ends define our game — from the quiet two-bowl openers to the chaotic sixteen-bowl nail-biters that could decide a championship…or just who buys the drinks.

So, whether you are playing a short game in the sunshine or still battling out End 17 as the daylight begins to fade. 

Hold your head high, your delivery steady, and keep it firmly “On the Jack.” 

This week on the Green

Alan Paterson, Press Officer – Club News and Activities.

Weekly Report Ending Sunday, 25th May 2025

Marine Gardens' impressive winning streak came to a halt on a cool, blustery afternoon at Crablands, as the home side secured a convincing 3–1 rink victory (75–52) in our first West Sussex Bowls League fixture. With this result, they claimed 8 points, while Marine Gardens salvaged 2 points thanks to a determined performance from Bob Cole, John Nettleingham, Perry Cairns, and skip Ivan Godsmark. Their hard-fought 17–13 triumph earned them Top Rink honours—a testament to their resilience on the green.

However, there was cause for celebration as Marine Gardens edged out Lancing in a tightly contested Stracey Shield fixture. While the rinks were evenly split at 2–2, our superior shot tally of 80–61 secured 6 of the 10 points available. Top Rink accolades went to Leon White, John Nettleingham, David Barlow, and skip James Albon, whose masterful display resulted in a stunning 32–9 win, complete with a Hot Shot moment that will be remembered! A superb effort all around.

The week concluded brightly, as sunshine graced our Open Day. Here's hoping we welcome some enthusiastic new members in the coming days!