Taking it easy was what my uncles used to do when I was a 10 year old bowling to them (it's also what I did when bowling to them when I was 20). But in competitive sport I couldn't conceive of it. I played basketball (B grade in the local comp) and occasionly played very weak teams. On one occasion we did set ourselves the target of reaching 100, and failed; but at least it kept us focused. I know it's not possible to work as hard in a lop-sided game as it is in a nail biting final but I would never consciously back off. Somehow it seems disrespectful, and besides I was a greedy player.
