Strike! And new boy Troy was in again – with strike after strike guaranteeing him victory in the first game. But then, Big El struck back to grab game two and ianf2trappy unexpectedly took game three.
With scoreboard names picked by our youngest – the other names include L2bigjoe and Badmanevie@$+ – this was family rivalry at its most fun, a three-game summer holiday visit to the excellent ten pin bowling alleys at Bath Leisure Centre.
Ten pin bowling is one of the few activities that our whole family will happily enjoy together, encouraged by past rivalries and fuelled by Slush Puppies from the centre’s own café (other surgery concoctions were also available). We’d booked in one early evening and had the place pretty much to ourselves, although booking ahead is very much recommended, particularly when it’s raining.
Things have changed since we used to take the children along as littlies – gone is the requirement to swap shoes for those smelly ones offered by the centre, while our kids no longer need the barriers up or the rolling frames which are still available to help younger bowlers out.
So, in no time, we’re picking the best balls for us – they come is choice of weights and finger hole sizes – and are pin deep in competition.
Tactics and strategies varied from gentle rolling to make sure the ball simply gets to the other end without ending up in a gutter, to full-on whazz it down there as hard as possible and who cares what happens. Actually, the most successful technique appeared to be somewhere in the middle, although the whazzing choice was without the most fun.
And so the pins began toppling, the scores started racking up and in no time competition was in full flow. While Troy was clearly the class act, Big El was keeping it consistent and ianf2trappy threated a late comeback. With each strike greeted with whoops and high-fives, and gutter balls with sniggers and slightly sarcastic pats on the back, the games were hugely enjoyable and it was soon turning into a great family night out.
OK, for little ones three games might be pushing it, but the café closeby offers snacks and treats, while the adjacent soft play offers options for the next visit. For our group of older kids and oldies, it was a right laugh with rivalries re-joined and a promise of pizzas afterwards.
Bath Leisure Centre bowling opening times:
Mon – Fri – 10am – 7pm
Sat – 6.30am – 6.30pm
Sun – 8am – 6.30pm
Prices per game is £8.50 adult, £7.50 child.
For 2 games it’s £10.00 – Summer Holiday offer.
To find out more and to book a game, go to www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/banes/bath-sports-and-leisure-centre/bowling