Matchplay Doubles Maldon

This is our 6th ranking event of the year and one that is close to home. After only getting back from Denmark a week ago  i had mixed feelings about playing this event. I felt like i was still mentally tired and needed a break from a bowl for at least week. However i couldn't let my team mate down. As this was a doubles event i played with another up and coming bowler Hayley White who had recently been selected to play in the world youths in florida in july. As we are playing in with the men we each received 5 pins a game bonus excellent. The format for this event is as followed. 8 games qualifying changing lanes after every game. top 24 teams qualify for the final with the top 4 seeds after qualifying gaining byes through the early rounds. 

In practice i felt very unsettled and uncomfortable. I only got my equipment back an hour before play from Denmark with some surfaces that i needed changing back. However i felt that i didn't have enough time to adjust the surfaces back to how i wanted them. In practice i found a look with my Brunswick Ultra Zone and started the 1st game with this. I shot 215 and my partner shooting 234 plus our 10 pin bonus. Hayley used her twisted fury for most of qualifying going to her Fury Pearl in the last game. 

Game 2 and i struggled i found that the ball was not rolling right in the mid part of the lane. I need to do something quick as i was going to struggle to make 150. I changed to  the Ebonite Big One and shot 180 and four in a row to finish the game. From then on in i didn't change ball and used this all through qualifying. I felt i didn't have to move much at all maybe 1 or two boards left with my feet and target. However i found the the right lane always played that little bit shorter than the left and  i was always two boards further left with my feet. 

After qualifying i finished up with 1669 for 8 games with a 208 average and Hayley finished with 1704 average of 213. We had a grand total with bonus of 3453 and made the top 24 finishing in 14th place.

After a re dress we went into the final round and first match we played Liam Dicks and Ash Iacona. We kept our line up the same Hayley lead off and then myself. We shot 436 and they had 409. Hayley had 216 and my self shooting 220 without bonus check us out!!!! We both used the balls we had been using Hayley and her twisted fury  and myself The Big One.

Our next match was against Sean Croke and Adam Scott. Now this was going to be an interesting match especially when bowling with Sean as he has quiet a good sense of humour!! We moved to the over the side of the bowl which is a lot cooler which was lovely. Although Hayley and myself made good shoots they just kept coming with them and they shot 469 to our 411. This ment that we were out and cashed a little bit of money 

The winners of the event were Matt Chamberlain and Jon Zadel from Power Play Pro Shop. We played with them all through qualifying and they played well so well done boys!!!!

After this ranking event i'm currently 3rd in the English Rankings. Next event up Euro 5's can't wait!!!!!

Take care 

Jem x

Day 9 Masters event

As i wasn't in this event i came down very early and watched the girls bowl. Lisa got knocked out frst round but she played fantastic she played Kamillia from Denmark and she just pipped lisa. Jenny however injured herself and was unable to compete. Zara made the last 8 and was knocked out by all event champion Helen Johnsson from sweden. The final match was between Nina flack from Sweden and Mai Ginge Jensen from Denmark. This is was being played over in the local leisure centre were VBS bowling had set up two lanes. Excellent! Before the Match started two PBA bowlers had come over from  the states. Hammer Staff Player Doug Kent and Columbia Staff player Chris Barnes and player of the year, to do some show bowling and to promote the sport of Ten Pin Bowling. 

After they had done there show bowling it was back to the match  and with it being in denmark there were loads of danish supporters. However sweden did let that bother them. 

Nina and Mai had played well and it went to 3 games. Nina had to sealed a strike in the 9th frame to shut 

Mai out and be named European Champion. well that is exactly what Nina did and there was a lot of tears. 

Well done to Nina  

Day 8 Long Oil Team Event

Well after the Swedes and Germany played yesterday afternoon we finished the first block of 3 games in 3rd place with Denmark and Sweden in front.

Our spirits were high and we all knew that we only need to get in the top 4 places and we had a medal.

I choose to play with my Brunswick Blast zone as this gave me the best look in practice and through most of the way through the long oiled squads.

We came out of the blocks with a 1048 game which kept us in 3rd place not bad and we all felt comfortable and again were behind each other all the way, We moved pairs for our second game in which we meet the Germany team who have many great plays including Patrica who is just brill on the long. So we knew that this was going to be a great one to win and we knew if we could keep ahead of them then we had a great chance. Well we did just that our second game we shot 1001 and Germany shot 1032. 

We moved to lanes 1 and 2 the score boards flicked over and well there was not many pins in it at all and now Finland were just behind us too. We knew that if we could just stay in front of both then we would have a medal.

This however wasn't the case. I struggled a lot this pair and shot a very low game now i look back on the days event i didn't make big enough moves moving 2 boards was not enough. I wasn't the only one that struggled a few of us seemed to find them difficult we tried our hardest and we fought all the way. It was just a bad day at the office.

Sweden went on to win the event Finland 2nd and Germany and Denmark 3rd

However lisa, Zara and Jenny made the top 24 and are in the master final tomorrow. Good luck girls ill be there watching 

Jem x

Day 7 Short Oil Team Event

Well this the event everyone wants to win and the event i love to play in THE TEAM EVENT

It was an early start today as we were in  the first squad today at 9am. The Line up is Jenny, myself, JoJo,Lisa and Zara.

Today it was the short and i didn't seem to be having any difficult in practice and was able to get the ball of my hand clean:-) This was a great feel and something i had been struggling with all week. The ball i used for this block of 3 games was the ebonite Cross fire and i didn't have to change balls at all just make adjustment with my feet and target. The lanes this time unlike in the trios on the short played like they did for the doubles which was great and the rest of the girls were very happy about this.

Our team spirit is excellent and we support each other 100%. We got off to a very good start and shot 1063 not bad at all we thought and boosted our confidence. We moved pairs and we went and played against Denmark. We kept with them for the majority of the game and managed a 1042 game but Denmark had a massive score with Kamilla shooting a 290 game which i have to say was a great game and should have been 300. We moved pairs again and had 1070. We all executed good shots and felt very happy with how we played . We had a grand total for 3 games of 3175 which put us in second place the before next squad. The Swedish team play this afternoon as do the Germany's.

Will let you know how tomorrow goes off to watch Nicki now

Bye 

Jem x

Day 5 & 6 Trios event

Hi guys. Well Nicki, Jenny and JoJo played the first squad and finished 81 over as a team.

Myself, Lisa and Zara were are up next. This first lot of games were on the short oil. We have all had a good look on the short so far, however this was not the case today and we all struggled. We finished under for the trios on the short. 

After our squad our other girls team was lying in 7th place and not far off of a medal. As we finished early today we decided to go and have a girl afternoon this involved shopping (little too much for me as spent lots), going to watch Sex In The City and finished it off with a nice meal.

After last night we all felt much relaxed and more positive. Lisa, Zara and myself knew that we needed to all shoot telephone number to get to 4th place this didn't happen so we made sure that we got as many as we could and made moves ready for the team event on the long oil.

Our other Trios team finished in 6th place two places short of a medal.

Team starts tomorrow on the short oil. Nicki is playing the booster in the afternoon and the rest are playing 9am in the morning for out first block.

Write soon 

Jem x 

Day 4 Long oil Doubles

Today was the next 6 games of doubles but on the long oil.  JoJo and i were in the second squad which ment 9 am as nicki and Jenny had already bowled there's yesterday. JoJO and i were feeling comfortable on the long and had many options to choose from. 

I used my Ebonite the big one for about two  games and then felt that i need to go to a shiner ball so i went to my brunswick ultra zone. My Ultra zone gave me a better read of the lanes and and more consistant reaction. 

We both felt that we made good shots and gave everything 100% but today wasnt our day and we finished the doubles event with a combined score of 4775 putting us in 21st postion.

Next up was Lisa and Zara and they were in a shout for a medal. However today they just fell short by 15 pins and finished in tied 5th place with the Fins! Next event girls.

This event was one by the Swedish duo of Helen Johnsson and Nina Flack (L-R).

Next event up is the trios.

Nicki, Jenny and JoJo 

Myself, Lisa and Zara 

Well keep you updated

Jem  x

Day 3 Short oil Doubles completed

Well this was the last squad for the short oil in the doubles event and there was some very impressive bowling. Helen Johnsson and Nina Flack came out with  a massive set in the doubles breaking the european record  for 6 games 3games and Helen broke the 3 game record with 794 and with a 6 game total of 1546 

Our english girls in this squad were Zara and lisa and they were fantastic they are lying in 2nd place after all the squads combined having a combined total of 2693

Zara Glover 226 258 236 228 245 172  1365

Lisa John 182 237 215 259 235 200    1328

After the short oil round Nicki and Jenny are lying in 24th JoJo and i are in 12th place and little and large aka Lisa and Zara are in 2nd place.

Will update you all tomorrow

Jem x

Day 2 Short Oil Doubles

Today was the start of the tournament. Nicki and Jenny bowled the 9 o'clock squad this morning. As we had to bowled this afternoon we had a late breakfast and got ready in our own time. We got down the bowl about 1130 and managed to watch the last game and and half. Nicki and Jenny both through great shot were just unlucky with carry they finish with 

Nicki Ainge  183 200 180 213 149 219 = 1144

Jenny Bilingham 182 172 227 210 226 200 = 1217

Next up was JoJo and myself. JoJo and i had felt comfortable on the lanes during official practice and were looking forward to bowling doubles today. We got 10 minutes practice for the doubles and both of us were struggling with getting the ball off our thumbs more so me then JoJo! Anyway we both found a shot and were quiet happy. 

Game one and one that JoJo and i would like to forget about. I had a 135 game in which i managed to hit my ankle again not once but TWICE and had two gutter balls which is  not the best start to have JoJo had a great 174 in which she got tapped loads. So JoJo and i started with a shocking 309 game.

We had great atmosphere between us and our coach Chris Buck . He asked  us what we thought of the lanes and helped us make decisions and kept our fighting spirt going! 

Jo Allesbrook 174 212 212 232 256 193 = 1279

=2492

Jemma Smith 135 191 235 238 190 224 = 1213

In the end JoJo and i finished 92 over for the doubles and are lying in 6th place after two squads of doubles on the short we were very proud ourselves considering the start we had and left the lanes feeling positive and my ankle being very sore and swollen!!!!!!

We left the bowl and found a lovely restaurant in which everyone enjoyed. We a great evening with many funny moments. 

After dinner Lisa, Nicki, Zara and myself walked back to the hotel. I wanted to loosen up my ankle and the walk certainly helped it. It was the perfect way to end the day.

I have  a day off tomorrow so will keep you up to date with how the others do!

Jem x

Day 1 Official Practice Opening Ceremony

Today was the start were we played on both of the tournament patterns. We are playing on a 34ft pattern for the short and a 44ft pattern for the long. We were in the first shift for practice today so we were first up in the morning. We all played for just over an hour changing lanes after every 10 minutes playing across the centre. I felt practice went  well considering i wacked my ankle twice with the ball but i did manage to stay on my feet  (always a drama with me lol)!!! I had eight balls in total with me and you are only allowed to register six so i have gone with for the long

Brunswick Blast Zone

Ebonite The Big One

Brunswick Ultra Zone

On the short i Have chosen

Ebonite Cross Fire 

Ebonite The One.

Oh yeah and my spare ball 

After the session we had a team meeting where we were told our doubles pairings. Iam bowling with Jojo. Nicki and Jenny and Lisa and Zara. Jenny and Nicki are up first in squad one tomorrow followed by Jo and I in Squad two. Lisa and zara have the day off tomorrow.

Later on during the day we had our opening ceromony and a welcome party afterwards. Then bak to the hotel for a quick change and off for some food.

Ill Keep you updated

Jem

European Womens Championship Denmark

Hey, well after a very long and tiring day travelling getting all different types of transport we finally made it to our destination!!!!! After grabbing something to eat we all went down the bowl to familiarise our self and to have a nosey. A few of us played too loosen up and to get a feel for the centre. We all grabbed something to eat in the bowl and then  back to the hotel for a much needed sleep as many of us were up at 4am to start a day of travelling.

Jem x

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog. This is the place where you can be nosey and see what i'm up to. You can read about my tournaments and equipment i used and where about i used them. As well as seeing pictures and videos of events.

Hope you enjoy

Jemma xxxx