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.