SKOGS. Being played at Takaro in Palmerston North and I was being an honorary bloke as our Club was a bit short of male players. We were down 14-18 with one end to play. We had two shots near the jack – and I was the skip who hadn’t contributed much to the game at all. By now all the other teams had finished and everyone had wandered over to watch the last end of our game…all watchers and players were blokes except me.
Pete was playing for the boys at Hokowhitu and his mobility is pretty manky these days. We had just purchased a walking stick that could be used on the green to keep him upright. And, as most of you know, he uses a swinging mechanical arm to heave the bowl toward the jack. The sun was beating down on Palmerston North and it was rather warm. (That’s an understatement!)
So, whilst Pete swung his metal bowls launcher at Hokowhitu and I hurried down to the mat at Takaro with my feet moving in time to my racing heart the world…well, Foxton and Beach Bowling Club was sort of dependent on our efforts. Our team needed 4 for a draw but, preferably, 5 for a win. This meant my three bowls all had to count for the win. The oppositions skip skinned his green. I breathed out in relief. I took my line (I hadn’t found it in the last 17 ends so why would this time be any different?) and sent my bowl on its way. Yep! Now we had 3 counters. My opposing skip was off the mark. I took a breath, took my line, took my shot…4 counters on the head. Yay! Again, my opposition missed his line. I tried not to look at the gallery watching quietly up at the head. I hoped Pete was managing to last the distance in the heat at Hokowhitu. And finally, the mat, the breath, the line…and I let my bowl go with a bit of unintentional, unnecessary weight. (an adrenaline shot). It got to the jack, passed it, waddled a bit and leaned on a counter. We had our five shots for a win!
Who know how that happens? I sure don’t know but I am very glad that it does. 17 ends of very little to be proud of and then out of the bag pops just the right shots. I am very grateful to the bowling Gods! When I heard Pete being dropped off at home I went down to the gate to give him a hand because I knew he would be struggling. He was tired, a bit stumbly, but elated. He had played well and they had a BIG win. So, all in all, for Foxton and Beach Bowling Club it was a good day.
Now I have to get my act together to play the final of the mixed pairs at Levin as soon as the other two semi-finalists get their game over and done with. Then it’s the Womens Crow Triples in Picton, the over 65’s Champion of Champions and the over 65’s semi finals mixed pairs at Foxton. I tell everyone I am a professional lawn bowler playing for the government. One of the perks for getting old – because the aging process has very little going for it. It’s not for the faint hearted that’s for sure! But I’m beginning to wonder if all the stress is shortening my life!
