Last week, on a cool and blustery day, I went to check out the international series held at the home of British bowls, the Royal Victoria club in Leamington Spa – home to 6 pristine lawns. England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Jersey were battling it out – men’s and women’s teams – competing as singles, pairs, threes and fours. Some bowling 2 woods, some 3 and some 4. There was very little white to be seen – but masses of brightly coloured red/yellow/blue and green shirts, with matching shorts/jackets/baseball and bucket hats. There were very few black bowls to be seen – but loads of red, orange, green, turquoise, blue, purple, some multi coloured, flecked or with designs – including blue and white for Scottish players – looking like piles of smarties nestled together on the grass.

Along with the (unexpected) background noise of pop music playing through speakers all round the clubhouse, there were excited shouts, worried groans, high fives, back slapping and hugs all over the place and participants jogging from end to end before threading their woods through tiny gaps to end up snuggled up next to the target jack. Huge skills were on show – and 98% of the players were in their twenties and thirties.

A total opposite of the general public’s impression of the game – including a friend who I took with me, who was questioned by his friends as to why one earth he wanted to go and see it. It was an eye opener and the games were genuinely exciting to watch.