My Ponder List

  • "Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill

Friday, May 29, 2009

VIEW FROM THE ATLANTIC RIM- LAURA HAWRYSKZO

I had an e-mail visit with Laura after her return from South Africa and competing in the Atlantic Championships.
It is always interesting to talk to a 'rookie' after participating in a new experience and especially one of this magnitude.

" I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to go with. Walking on the green at the opening ceremonies, meeting lifetime friends, to throwing my last bowl. I wouldn't change a thing. "

Final scores don't always tell the whole story.

" Harriette ( Pituley ) and I had a great first game against South Africa. We both played quite well. Most of our games went well, luck was a big factor there. Greens weren't very fast and ' the up and in ' game was hard to defend. " { 15-19 final vs S.A. }.
Our fours team blended quite well. I think we all made key shots in every game.

Laura touched on her personal results feeling that overall she played well but spent most of her words on talking up her teammates.

" Harriette is a super positive player that never gives up. 
Marlene ( Cleutinx ) made some fantastic shots to save some points. 
I watched David Anderson play England in Singles. What great bowls. I don't think I have seen a better game, both ways. Sam from England had good bowls and was lucky, David played great bowls and had no luck."

Numbers give you a taste but being there adds the full course.

" In the quarter finals against Wales, we were down 2 coming home, sitting one and if Marlene takes out the open second shot we would be sitting 4 or 5. Her drive popped the jack instead of the bowl. The jack goes 8 feet forward and we are down 3. Sad moment but we were there, could have been us. "
{ Wales went on to win the game 14 -19, played the USA in the semi-finals and won the gold medal. }

A great opportunity for one of our young up and coming bowlers to step onto the international stage and make discoveries about her game in the context of representing her country.
I sense a recognition by Laura that she can compete at this level.  
High level bowls is all about consistency. 
This trip to South Africa could be be the motivator and springboard to the ways and means of keeping her bowl's suitcase packed.