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Barham Short Mat Bowls
Bowls sessions will commence in the village hall on Wednesday 7th October (14.00-1700) and Monday 4th
January (19.00-21.00). You are welcome to come along and try the game and as an introductory offer
your first three sessions will be free including coaching.
Membership of the club is £5.00 p/a, plus £2.00 per session.
Barham Bowls also play outdoor green bowls from April to September (additional membership
required)
Quiz Nights (open to non-members)
We will also be holding quiz nights within the bowls clubhouse, commencing at 19.00 on the Following
Fridays:- 20th November, 18th December, 15th January, 19th February and 18th March.
For further information please email [email protected]
Short Mat Bowls History
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 realized. The English Short Mat Bowling
Association (ESMBA) was formed in 1984, and is now the governing body of the sport in England. 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. 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.
Equipment (provided by the club)
Foam or rubber backed rink mats, permanently marked with the required lines. In addition each mat
comprises two fenders, block, jack and two foot mats.
Where the game is played
Short mat bowls is an all-year sport unaffected by weather conditions and it does not require a
permanent location as the rink mats can be rolled up and stowed away. This makes it particularly
appropriate for small communities as it can be played in village halls, schools, sports and social clubs,
hotels etc.
How the game is played
The game is played in broadly the same way, and provides the same enjoyment and has the same
attractions as lawn bowls and, indeed, many players participate in both games. The bowls themselves,
and the smooth soled heel less footwear are the same as those used outdoors.
The object is for each player in a singles game or each team in a pairs, triples or fours to gain as many
shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them.
The main differences in the playing conditions are the size of the playing area, the block that occupies the
mid-position of the rink mat, and the ditch, which is actually a defined area of the mat surface. The
intimidatory presence of the block, which prevents players from playing with force directly towards an
opponents bowl to knock it out of a scoring position, and the narrow playing area, requires players to
develop skill in using the natural bias on the bowls to bowl round the block. Bowls that touch the block,
and those that come to rest in the dead area or in the ditch (other than those that touch the jack before
going into the ditch) are declared "dead" and removed from the mat before the next bowl is delivered.
The primary skill requirement is in the fact that no two mats perform identically and all village halls have
floors that are not perfectly flat therefore every competitive match is a measure of the ability of the
visiting team to conquer an unfamiliar playing surface.