Short mat bowls is a relatively recent variant on the ancient sport of lawn bowls,
played indoors on a specially manufactured, pre-marked mat. The sport, which is played
socially and competitively in village halls and other community spaces, does not
require a permanent location as the portable mats are rolled up and stored when not
in use. The sport is played by all ages, sexes and abilities who can compete together.
HSMBA is the organising body for short mat bowls in Herefordshire. We are affiliated
to the ESMBA, the governing body in England, and we run leagues, county teams and
open competitions as well as generally promoting and developing the sport within
the county.
A good place to start for newcomers is our Introduction section where you can find
out more about the game, how to start playing or how to go about establishing a new
club. Enjoy looking around our website and please use the Contact page to provide
feedback or to find out more.
Latest News
This year’s Fownhope Open Fours raised a huge £735 for St Michael’s Hospice Story
Summer League fixtures have been confirmed and the Summer League Final will take
place at 7.15pm on Tuesday 22 August at Upton Bishop Millennium Hall Fixtures
The Presentation Evening photos have been added here. If anyone would like a higher
resolution e-mailed copy of any photo please contact Ian Roe or Merion Attwood.
Congratulations to the Ross team of Elaine George, Pam Park, Dave Watkins and Les
Williams on winning the Gloucester Open Charity Fours Details
The Association, in conjunction with the Hereford & Worcester Sports Partnership
and Halo Leisure, is running 6 short mat taster sessions at Bromyard Leisure Centre.
The sessions run for 6 weeks from Wednesday 3 May to Wednesday 7 June (10.30 - 12.00).
Can anyone who is prepared to help facilitate any of these sessions please contact
Ian Roe
Congratulations to all of our representatives at the National Championships, particularly
the 4 teams who progressed from their groups to the knockout stages, making it the
most successful championships for the county for several years - Ian Roe (Singles),
Shirley & Becci Cox (Pairs), Tony Vitale & Ian Park (Pairs), Ali & Ian Roe, Pam &
Ian Park (Mixed Fours). Congratulations also to Dominic Rogers who reached the semi-final
of the Under-18 Plate competition
Congratulations to the successful league teams: Division 1 - Champions Woolhope A,
Runners-up Ross A; Division 2 - Champions Fownhope, Runners-up Ross B Div 1 Div
2
The Bromyard Triples was won by the Ross trio of Elaine George, Les Williams and
Dave Watkins, defeating Fran Jones (Escley), Betty & Harold Aubrey (Weston) in the
final and making it 3 wins in 4 years for Ross (and Dave Watkins) Details
Congratulations to Woolhope on winning the LEH Tournament, defeating Ross in the
final LEH
The February 2017 edition of the ESMBA newsletter is now available through the link
on the left
Congratulations to Sue Stannard who received an accolade at the 2016 Herefordshire
Sport Awards. Sue was Highly Commended in the Services to Sport category in recognition
of her contribution to short mat bowling in the county. Well done Sue Report
The ICC Calendar page has now been updated for the 2017-18 season’s fixtures
Both of the county teams were eliminated from the ICC competition at the Preliminary
knockout stage. The premier team lost 26-14 to Essex whilst the A Team lost 25-15
to Kent Premier A
A set of Size 1 Almark Sterling bowls has been added to the For Sale page
