NEW SEASON ON THE HORIZON

Disappointment as the Longridge Floodlit Singles contest was cancelled due to the very wet weather leaving an unplayable surface for the first night's qualifiers. Whilst out running on the Moors that afternoon in probably the best of a bad day (squally heavy showers) never did I consider the day's deluge would have such consequences in the more fairweather world of crown green. 

Running has finally started to progress back on to the hills recently. This particular run was on the back of an unusually heavy mileage week by modest standards these days. 35 miles were rounded off with a run to Chorley and back with woods in my backpack and an hour of bowling practice being the sandwich of an unusual run-bowl-run duathlon, then returning to the Astley Park green on Monday morning to keep my eye in for that competition that was sadly postponed.
Being able to get back running off-road with John Horrocks is on the one hand a blessing, but John is sixteen years my junior and currently knocking out very similar times and performances that I was once accustomed to, so there are also some feelings of a cruel nature at times, such as chasing one's former self. I thought this as John tottered easily up a boggy steep climb with wind and rain belting in our faces, whilst I was clinging on twenty yards behind giving it everything I had!
Back to the bowling though, and after a further fortnight of poor conditions, practice could get proper again as our Eagle & Child green reopened for business.
Although eagerly down there twice in the first weekend, I've not had a lot of time on my own just rolling which is what I need. Instead I've suppressed my anti-social side to engage in practice matches which haven't gone well. Three defeats, practice or not, cries out the need to knuckle down, concentrate and get my house in order and especially as one of our league seasons start much earlier now. 

Fortunately I got the opportunity on the Monday afternoon to whizz some bowls around alone for an uninterrupted 75 minutes and restored some belief. It was quite possibly my most satisfying practice session yet. But getting in to a flow during practice needs to manifest itself in to matchplay and there lies the challenge ahead for the new season. 

GOOD WINS WITH BANKSY AND CAPTAIN
Happy with the way I was playing, and particularly from the back rather than leading. I had a cracking 21-12 win with Steven Banks, wrapping up a four on the penultimate end with Banksy belying his supposed weakness at reaching long marks to send two close ones, before I cosied them up with two more. 

A week later, two wins in a night with Steve Marginson as we caught up on postponed fixtures. Both close, but decisive as our other pairing also picked up enough points to guarantee a top three spot with one to play.
Two wins with the captain, but a feeling my form was just starting to wane in those games as I blew hot and cold and frustration crept in.

MEEK EXIT TO YORKSHIRE'S FINEST
Fox Lane again, but this time the second half of the draw for the Fox Lane Doubles tournament paired Jack Dickinson and I up against, in the words of the knowledgeable Steve Wilson, "Two of Yorkshire's finest".
Even in my short time of taking interest in the game, I've heard of these two so I knew we were to be exposed to a serious gulf in class.
Nothing less than top form bowling from Jack and I was going to penetrate much out of these opponents and unfortunately, despite believing we could make a game of it, neither of us sparkled on the day. 

Although restricting this illustrious pairing to mainly two's and one's early on, once the finishing line was in sight at 5-14, we were despatched meekly over the next three ends.
Jack was celebrating his 21st birthday, but it wasn't to be a memorable one on the bowling green. 

Whilst the birthday boy did show glimmers of his ability, I was particularly disappointed with my own showing. My mind didn't feel fresh, perhaps I gave our opponents too much respect as I was nervous and just not confident in what I was doing.
It's difficult in doubles, in which you can't really get a rhythm going as well as in a singles match. Going on cold with no practice, if you don't feel the green straight away, you might not get chance to if you're playing top county players.
Gary Wyke came over with two consolidating pints and gave five minutes of his time to ask how long I've been playing and proceeded to give a brief history of Chris Mordue's trophy winning resume - basically he's won everything there is to win at least once - how long they've both been playing, including five years as a pairing picking up top tournament wins along the way. I explained to him I knew they were top players and that I'm nowhere near, but that I like to have a go. He nodded and said, "Nowt wrong with that. You'll learn". That'll do for me.
Whilst some of my bowling peers don't quite understand my reasoning, nobody has said playing top players and getting tonked is a bad thing. In fact feedback has been positive and particularly from those top players themselves.

WINTER ENDS ON LOUSY FORM BUT TEAM HIGH
I hadn't lost in partnership with Nigel all season, but once again I didn't play particularly well or certainly consistently enough to help us over the line in this tight match against Pleasington Pluckers. 

I've seen Nige play much better too, but we ambled along keeping our noses in front when a useful score of three helped us to 19, and then on to 20-16.
We just couldn't shut the match down though and both our opponents finished the game strong with Ben leading well and Ian dangerous at the back to mess up our good work. It became a frustrating 20-21 defeat as my final bowl didn't quite make the trip. 
I think that's 8 wins and 4 losses for matches involving myself in this debut doubles season (the three losses comprised of two against the elite pairings of Westhoughton, one against a very good and well oiled home green partnership and this annoying loss that could and probably should have gone the other way) So no disgrace whatsoever.
Despite that final night's hiccup, Harry and Steve won well enough and secured runners-up place in the team's maiden season of top flight bowling activity, sealing qualification for Premiership Finals Day four days later.
And so, another chilly Sunday morning on Fox Lane's main green we took on The Painters - cream of Hoghton bowling club's crop - from the Monday night league for a place in the semi finals. Partnering Steve Marginson again, much like last Sunday's tournament match against those top notch Tykes, my game just wasn't happening and it was a big ask for Steve alone to drag us through against two quality bowlers who gave very little away. 

We went down 6-21, with Nigel and Andy Sexton not having much more joy in their match either as our team Misfits were dumped out of the end of season showpiece in unceremonious fashion.
The initial deflation was later appeased on reflection of an excellent first season in the Wednesday night Premier.
Despite the personal low of hitting some sort of psychological barrier and unable to roll a decent length in recent weeks, Winter league doubles has definitely been worth the cold and discomfort. It's added to some much needed experience, playing mainly good players and some great ones in a good team that wants to do well.

LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING SINGLE AGAIN
Crown Green doubles has actually been much more enjoyable and far more compelling than I imagined. But I'm looking forward to getting back to one-on-one action and also some proper practice time as Spring begins to break and talk is heard of our club green opening soon.
The league season starts around the end of April, although my first match is next week at the Longridge Spring Floodlit Singles competition.
Although not overloaded with confidence on the back of latest doubles matches - which sending a decent length had become a frustrating failure - it's a clean canvas and I've got a bit of previous experience there so the aim will be to relax and make a good account of myself.