Short mat bowls

Short mat bowls is an indoor sport in which players attempt to score points by rolling a heavy ball along a fairly flat surface, to gain as many shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them. The game is a modern variation on lawn bowls, from which the game is derived.

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 English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA) was formed in 1984, and is now the governing body of the sport in England. 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. In 2009 the ESMBA launched a new National Club Championship event. The Final's Day was played at Rugby Thornfield with Kirby Bedon of Norfolk beating Warren Heath of Essex in the final. In 2010 Donnington of Cambridgeshire were the winners followed by Bob Carter of Norfolk in 2011. In 2012 the title was won by a side outside East Anglia for the first time when Cheshire's Morley Green lifted the title. 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.

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. Administration The ESMBA specify a minimum mat length of 40 ft and a maximum of 45 ft. The width is 6 ft. The cost of mats depends on the length required and also the quality of the material. The cheapest mats at present (2010) cost £650 and starter kits, comprising one 45 ft mat, two fenders, block, jack, two foot mats and two sets of bowls are available at around £900.

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