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
A great start to the season for the county teams with both teams winning their first
match away at Avon. Premier won 23-17 and A won 24-16
League fixtures for the coming winter season have now been agreed Div 1 Div 2
The draw for this season’s LEH Two Counties Team of Ten competition is here
Congratulations to Ross Rockers on their victory in the Summer League Final against
Llangarron Details
The HSMBA is assembling a dedicated set of equipment that can be loaned to groups
who wish to try out short mat bowls. This will include 8 sets of woods. If any individuals
or clubs have spare sets of woods which they are prepared to donate to the association
for this purpose can you please contact Ian Roe. The intention is that these will
comprise a full range of sizes but with an emphasis on the smaller sizes which tend
to be most in demand for this purpose. Please don’t be offended if an offer of woods
is declined because we already have what we need in the size offered - storage space
is limited and we will hold only the targeted 8 sets.
The HSMBA Calendar and ICC Calendar pages have now been updated with the coming season’s
dates
The League Rules have been updated for the change approved by the 2018 AGM
Ross & Woolhope put up good performances in the TLH National Club Championships Report
Photos of this year’s Presentation Evening can be found here
Herefordshire had its best ever National Championships with the Mixed Four of Joe
Loveys, John Mills, Shirley & Becci Cox and the Pair of John Mills & Shaun Jones
each matching the county’s best ever result by reaching the semi-finals Report
The April edition of The Extra End, the ESMBA newsletter, can be viewed through the
link on the left
Congratulations to the Winter League winners: Division 1 champions Woolhope A, runners-up
Ross A. Division 2 champions Gorsley Chapel, runners-up Dewchurch Warriors Div1
Div 2
Congratulations to the Aston Ingham team of Mike Conway, Terry Darrington & Rita
Hancock on winning the Bromyard Triples tournament, defeating the Larruperz team
of Lorraine Pearce, June Pearce and Tony Vitale in the final Details
Congratulations to Woolhope on winning the LEH Trophy with a 4 shot victory over
Ross LEH Results
The county A team progressed to the semi-finals of the ICC consolation competition
with a convincing 29-11 win over London A. The Premier team exited the ICC main knockout
competition at the Preliminary round stage following a 31-9 defeat to Essex A Premier
