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
The ESMBA have confirmed the suspension of short mat bowling for the duration of
the national lock down period, currently until 2nd December ESMBA Statement 4.11.20
ESMBA Update 25.10.20 Additional guidance has been issued which includes references
to triples play, intra-club competitions, affiliation and the Emergency Fund ESMBA
October Update
All of the previous updates from the ESMBA, together with all of the Back to Bowls
and Safe Bowls Status documentation can be found on our dedicated web page ESMBA
Coronavirus Information
The 19-20 Winter League has been determined based on average points secured by a
team in completed matches. Congratulations to Woolhope A on securing their club’s
16th consecutive title ahead of Ross A in the runners-up spot. St Martins club led
the way in Division 2 with St Martins Hawks winning the division from St Martins
Falcons Division 1 Division 2
At a meeting of the HSMBA Committee on 2nd September several outstanding and pending
issues were addressed. The full minutes of the meeting have been circulated to clubs
and can be accessed by members here. Some of the key points are as follows (any rearranged
events should be considered provisional and subject to future conditions and restrictions):
- Unless there are valid objections, the 2020 AGM is cancelled and the next AGM will
be in Spring 2021
- A number of key vacancies exist on the HSMBA Committee. In the absence of an imminent
AGM, the committee are seeking to co-opt to the positions of Chairman, Secretary
and Competition Secretary as a matter of urgency. Anyone interested in considering
a role on the committee should speak to a current committee member.
- The 2020 and 2021 Presentation Evenings will be combined in a Spring 2021 event
- The 2020 Bromyard Triples and Macmillan Competitions are cancelled and entry fees
will be refunded
- The 19-20 Winter League will be determined on the basis of average points from completed
matches
- HSMBA elements of 20-21 registration and membership fees will be waived but 20-21
registration will proceed for both clubs and players
- The 20-21 Winter League and LEH Trophy are cancelled. Consideration will be given
to alternative competitions later in the season
- Qualifiers for the 2020 Nationals whose finals were postponed will now play them
in April 2021
- Qualifiers will be held in early 2021 for the Mixed Fours and Over-55 Pairs Nationals
- Consideration will be given to County Competitions scheduling at the November committee
meeting
- The 20-21 ICC has been cancelled but alternative competitions may be introduced later
in the season
The ESMBA have announced a Community Emergency Fund to help clubs suffering financial
difficulties as a result of the Covid 19 situation. Member clubs are encouraged to
review the provisions and submit an application for support if appropriate ESMBA
Community Emergency Fund
