Nationals Pattern Not as Advertised ?
- Thread starter jimcross
- Start date
Michael Little
Active Member
I have played on plenty of 3:1 patterns and even 2:1 patterns where the shot has been wide open with a good area to hit, just because a ratio is such does not mean the shot is hard or easy. Once this pattern opens up after the fresh, it is quite high scoring, 90% of the decent scores have been shot on the carry down squads.
As for the pattern playing differently? No idea, when does a pattern ever play exactly like the chart say? It is a touch different to the sports series a couple of weeks prior however there is a constant stream of wash and oils each and every day, but the pattern plays reasonably similar, just a lot more lively on the backend without so much carry down, still making similar moves, using similar equipment at around the same times during various games. There just isn't the uncertainty of missing the breakpoint now due to extra friction, which is giving a few of the guys with straighter releases that struggled previously a new lease of life and some extra bounce.
jimcross
Active Member
Thanks, Michael, but I didn't explain what I meant very well. My fault.
What I was told ( and I don't know if it is so, or not ) was that the pattern being laid is actually a different pattern. In other words, a decision was made to CHANGE THE PATTERN, from that advised.
I realise that that is highly unlikely, but my sources, in this instance, are normally credible.
What I was told ( and I don't know if it is so, or not ) was that the pattern being laid is actually a different pattern. In other words, a decision was made to CHANGE THE PATTERN, from that advised.
I realise that that is highly unlikely, but my sources, in this instance, are normally credible.
Michael Little
Active Member
If different, it is replaced with one reasonably similar or a variant, maybe it has been modified slightly as the backends are potent compared to previous, who knows, could just be the wash and oils, tonnes of people in the centre and the temp being higher.
jimcross
Active Member
Yes Michael, what you say sounds very likely, especially oils and temperature. Oils aint Oils ??
jason_doust
The Bowling Geek
As usual, I think Michael is on the money. We've just got some Kegelitis kicking in. Repeated washing makes the backends positively electric on the fresh. Because the pattern is so short, everyone plays out-ish, so the backend remains pristine inside this zone. Miss left and it goes a long way left. Miss right and and who knows what will happen? Depends on the pair and the timing of the squad and who was there ahead of you.
I know the adjustment I need to make and can't quite seem to pull it off. It's called "throw it better".
Although there was a squad last night that I caught a crummy pair on the fresh and it was diabolical. I shot a 122 game to start a colossal 483 series. At least I had the pleasure of bowling with Robert Smith who shot 142 to start his 500 series. I didn't feel so bad after that. That pair was something else... He shot 760 or something crazy in the next squad on the very next pair. As he said to me; "What a difference a pair makes!"
I know the adjustment I need to make and can't quite seem to pull it off. It's called "throw it better".
Although there was a squad last night that I caught a crummy pair on the fresh and it was diabolical. I shot a 122 game to start a colossal 483 series. At least I had the pleasure of bowling with Robert Smith who shot 142 to start his 500 series. I didn't feel so bad after that. That pair was something else... He shot 760 or something crazy in the next squad on the very next pair. As he said to me; "What a difference a pair makes!"
Jim
Being as involved as I have been I can tell you
NO change was made to the pattern, Full stop end of paragraph
The pattern is a bit shorter to last year to enhance some backend
as last year they played very long
Michael Little
Active Member
It is a shame that the lanes were thought to have played too long last year, I don't think this was the case, this year was just friction city and not good for the shoulders lol
Tiger Bottomley
"Lord of the jungle"
I agree Mick. When I read that comment I started to wonder if I had bowled the same event as some of the apparent others last year. I didn't see anyone having an issue with them being to long last year.
That said, scores seemed up this year and if that is what they were after then job done.
That said, scores seemed up this year and if that is what they were after then job done.
Michael Little
Active Member
Carl, you would have loved this pattern this year, maybe not so much on the fresh, but lookout after that lol
I think the scoring was up this year due to
a) the international players raising the level and scoring pace across the board,
b) bowlers becoming a little smarter in how to play the lanes from the start and not just start swinging the ball in the middle with a super soaker
c) with the shorter oil, even before the lanes transitioned there was a bounce spot which probably helped a lot of players with limited rotation fare better than they otherwise would have
Personally, I was not a fan of the pattern, however for the purpose of the tournament, it fared alright, with the format it was fine, because it had a shelf life of no more than 6 games at best before it was just plain ugly, unless there was only one bowler to a lane and it would probably last the 9 games.
Michael Little
Active Member
lol, I can imagine if some of those guys couldn't repeatedly bowl the ball with some speed, it would prove difficult as there was a lot of back end friction.
