Short mat bowls

History

The information pack sent to prospective new clubs by the Cornwall County Short Mat Bowling Association has given this information for a number of years. It has always been assumed to be correct.

The Short Mat Bowls game was first played in Wales by two South Africans who came to work in the area. They had played bowls outdoors in South Africa and, perhaps due to the poor climate and the long close season in this country, they began to play a simulation of the outdoor game on a strip of carpet in a church hall. Some time later, they moved to Northern Ireland and took the new game with them. Rules and conditions of play were drawn up and the game soon became well established in the Province. It was introduced into England by Irish expatriates, but development was slow until the 1980s when its potential as a low cost sport for people of all ages was realised. The [http://www.esmba.org.uk English Short Mat Bowling Association] (ESMBA) was formed in 1984, and is now the governing body of the sport in England.

Administration

The sport is administered in England at two levels, The ESMBA oversee administration of the National Championships and Inter County Championships in addition to running the National Squad. At a more local level, 28 County Associations arrange a series of League, One Day and Knockout competitions within their own geographical area. The latest figures from the ESMBA puts membership at 25211 bowlers in 928 clubs. The ESMBA rules of the game are followed by the affiliated clubs and also by most others. Most clubs arrange competitions among their own members as well as allowing time for those not wishing to take part in competitions to enjoy informal bowling.

Equipment

The foam or rubber backed rink mats, permanently marked with the required lines, can be purchased direct from the manufacturers or from sports equipment dealers, with or without the necessary mat furniture. The ESMBA specify a minimum mat length of 40ft and a maximum of 45ft. The width is 6ft. The cost of mats depends on the length required and also the quality of the material. The cheapest mats at present (2006) cost under £600 and starter kits, comprising one 45ft mat, two fenders, block, jack, two foot mats and two sets of bowls are available at around £900.

Where the game is played

Short mat bowls is an all-year sport unaffected by weather conditions and it does not require a permanent location as the rink mats can be rolled up and stowed away. This makes it particularly appropriate for small communities as it can be played in village halls, schools, sports and social clubs, hotels etc. where space is restricted and is also required for other purposes: it is even played on North Sea oil rigs where space is really at a premium.

How the game is played

The game is played in broadly the same way, and provides the same enjoyment and has the same attractions as lawn bowls and, indeed, many players participate in both games. The bowls themselves, and the smooth soled heel less footwear are the same as those used outdoors.

The object is for each player in a singles game or each team in a pairs, triples or fours to gain as many shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them.

The main differences in the playing conditions are the size of the playing area, the block which occupies the mid-position of the rink mat, and the ditch which is actually a defined area of the mat surface. The intimidatory presence of the block, which prevents players from playing with force directly towards an opponents bowl in order to knock it out of a scoring position, and the narrow playing area, requires players to develop a skill in using the natural bias on the bowls to bowl round the block. Bowls which touch the block and those which come to rest in the dead area or in the ditch (other than those which touch the jack before going into the ditch) are declared "dead" and removed from the mat before the next bowl is delivered.

The primary skill requirement is in the fact that no two mats perform identically and all village halls have floors that are not perfectly flat therefore every competitive match is a measure of the ability of the visiting team to conquer an unfamiliar playing surface.

English County Championship Winners

World Short Mat Bowls Championships

External links

;National Governing Bodies
* [http://www.esmba.org.uk English Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.welsh-shortmat-bowls.co.uk Welsh Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.iiba.co.uk Irish Indoor Bowling Association]
* [http://www.curvebowls.be Flemish Short Mat Federation]
* [http://www.manxshortmatbowls.com Isle of Man Short Mat Bowling Association] ;County Associations
* [http://www.csmba.co.uk Cardiganshire Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.ccsmba.co.uk Cornwall County Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.norfolkshortmatbowls.co.uk Norfolk County Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.osmba.org.uk Oxfordshire County Short Mat Bowling Association]
* [http://www.hsmba.org Herefordshire County Short mat Bowling Association]