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 has started to issue a monthly newsletter - The Extra End. The latest edition
will be available to view via the link on the left of this page - the September edition
is available now
Congratulations to the County Premier Team who progressed to the finals of the ICC
Rinks Competition by winning their qualifying group, beating Surrey and drawing with
Essex. The A team did not progress from their qualifying group following defeats
to Devon and Somerset Details
The draw for the 2016-17 LEH Trophy is here. The first round is to be played by 30
November
Congratulations to Woolhope A who defeated Gorsley Chapel 1 in the Summer League
Final to take the trophy for the second time Details
The Bill Mackie Cup was retained by Gloucestershire, who won the first leg at Fownhope
28-12, although Herefordshire performed well in the second leg at Bells, Coleford
to earn a 20-20 draw Scorecards
A number of our members are on a waiting list for a Level 1 ESMBA coaching course.
If any other members would be interested in attending this course, as and when the
ESMBA are in a position to deliver it, then could they please let Merion Attwood
(mda@merion.co.uk) know. It is hoped that with enough interest the course can be
delivered locally.
We are pleased to welcome 2 new clubs to the HSMBA. Golden Valley SMBC are a new
club playing socially at Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall. St Martins Bowls Club in Hereford
have played short mat bowls for some time but can now accommodate 2 mats as a result
of a clubhouse extension and have entered 2 teams in the winter league
The Rules and Constitution have been updated for revisions passed at the recent AGM
The photo gallery from the Presentation Evening has now been added here
The Winter League season has completed. Congratulations to the division winners Woolhope
A and Llangarron and the runners-up Ross A and Escley. Division 1 Division 2
The final county competition, the Mixed Fours, was won by Elaine George, Ian Roe,
Pam & Ian Park (Ross) who defeated Hilary Carpenter, Dominic, Sandra and Anthony
Rogers (Woolhope) in an extremely tight and tense final which went to an extra end.
Details
A measuring kit (spray, measure and a black pouch of chocks and chalk) was left on
the front of the stage after the mixed fours. Contact Ian Roe
Congratulations to Gloster Knights on their victory over Tewkesbury in the LEH Final.
A tight and exciting contest was only decided by an 11 shot win by the Knights in
the fours discipline after close contests in the singles, pairs and triples left
the 2 sides equal overall LEH Scores
