Attempt Twenty Nine

LAST MEAL: Pork chops and creamy mash with green beans.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: More long marathon training style runs.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Target assurance in a non-profit environment.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 3

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 41

Bad news, Ocean Bowl fans. I have decided to take a short break from trying to get a perfect score for the next six weeks or so. This isn't a coincidence; it's mutually beneficial for the bowl as they are exceptionally busy in the Summer months and it also means I can take my children to the beach and the castles and the steam trains and the go-karts...

This meant I had to work really hard to go out with a bang, a plan that went out of the window as soon as I realised that I had left my new ball at home and so had to rely on my faithful green companion. A good start meant I lost my focus a little and dropped vital points by not dropping vital pins. My score is therefore a perfect graph of overconfidence followed by attempting to regain said confidence.

I let myself down, I let you all down but, worst of all, I let myself down again. I did get a strike though and I haven't seen one of those in a couple of weeks.

Attempt Twenty Eight

LAST MEAL: Ribs in a home-made sauce.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Long marathon training style runs.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Using a new ball.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 4

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 41

I have begun training properly for Amsterdam marathon. This has made me tired. I am allowing for this.

This week I also managed to secure a loaned ball so I don't have to suffer the embarrassment of asking people if I can borrow a ball that's on their lane. They always look at me like I'm a bit simple and this way no-one ever needs to know that I am.

I had a couple of games to get used to the movement of the new ball and I think my positioning needs to stay the same. Whether I'll remember this or not is yet to be seen.

Attempt Twenty Seven

LAST MEAL: Sausage and bacon cous-cous for logistical reasons. I wouldn't normally eat cous-cous.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Watching children bowl in Exeter.

METHOD OF FOCUS: High-fiving a small person after each strike.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 7

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 39

Once again I'm actually fairly happy with my score and two strikes per week over the last two weeks is helping towards that. I dropped slightly this week but a four on frame four, which I'd like to say is in honour of someone or something but I can't, will do that. 

I have been gifted a ball which I will endeavour to get hold of before next week, although that may lead to a period of adjustment. Hey, I can't be this super-fantastic every week.

Attempt Twenty Six

LAST MEAL: Roast chicken and veg.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Cricket tour in Bath.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Watching Spain play Italy in Euro 2016.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 5

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 37

I was all over the focusing this week. Watching football is a great way to zone out and the big screen at Ocean Bowl with a bowl of chips makes bowling come alive.

I was even fairly happy with my score by the end. I was robbed of a strike in the first frame and that may have put me off a perfect game but we'll double check that hypothesis next week. For now I'm off to watch England play Iceland.

Attempt Twenty Five

LAST MEAL: Lamb shank and mashed potato.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Driving to Wales and not coming back in time.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Holidaying.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 4

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 37

I'm cheating a little this week. Although I'm in Wales until tomorrow I did manage to sneak in an extra game at Ocean Bowl to cover the fact and here it is in all its glory.

There's something about getting away for the third time in a year that really focuses a bowler and I'm sure after next weekend, when I'm in Bath for three days, I will be all about the bowling - not least because I'm going on a cricket tour. Hey, I have to bowl in the cricket, the action must transfer a little.

Attempt Twenty Four

LAST MEAL: Slow cooked gammon, rice and peas.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Walking at the weekend. Hey, I don't have to push it every week.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Looking at cars to buy.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 4

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 36

I'm going to shadow the England football team's performance in the European Championship. That is, I set out to do well this evening yet my performance led to an unsatisfying conclusion. This is quite common in a few aspects of my life.

There was a small child bowling on the lane next to me and he was loving the atmosphere in Ocean Bowl. He cheered every ball he bowled and high fived his Mum when she got a strike, something I'd love to do with my family but unfortunately I take the game far too seriously. My children sit in a darkened room when we return so that they don't have to look at my gloomy face.

Here's the score that compliments a heavy weekend on the beer ever hopeful of an England win. Come on lads, I need that perfect game.

Attempt Twenty Three

LAST MEAL: Traditional roast chicken with all the trimmings.

SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING: Bowling at a different venue.

METHOD OF FOCUS: Sliding along the floor.

LUCKY LANE NUMBER: 8

BEST SCORE TO DATE: 164

CUMULATIVE NUMBER OF STRIKES: 34

Yes, it's true. I cheated on Ocean Bowl with a venue in Mansfield while I was away. I wasn't proud but my score proves that it's not Ocean's fault I'm such an awful bowler.

As ever I felt pretty tired and vague while bowling and I think it comes back to the Monday night thing - I've been busy all weekend, I may have had a bit to drink, I'm often tired after the weekend but it's the only day that I have free so I don't have too much choice in the matter. If possible I will chuck in a few late week bowls to test the theory. 

That said, another couple of strikes in the bag. The top screen is my official score for this week, the other a filthy reminder of why you should always stay faithful to the Bowl.