List of short mat bowls competitions

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Short Mat Bowls is a generally indoor based bowls sport, played on a carpet. Whilst the game is heavily played throughout the United Kingdom, it is also played throughout Europe, and also places such as India,[1] Australia,[2] New Zealand[3] and Japan.[4] National, and international level events are generally held for all disciplines, including singles, pairs, triples and fours.

Notable National Competitions[edit]

England[edit]

St Georges Cup[edit]

The St Georges Cup began in 2011, with 32 players from the North of England against 32 players from the South of England in a Ryder Cup-style event.[5]

Year Venue Winners Final score
2023-24 Solihull Indoor Bowls Club South of England 33 - 35
2022-23 Solihull Indoor Bowls Club South of England 29 - 39
2021-22 Solihull Indoor Bowls Club North of England 36 - 32
2020-21 Not Played - Covid
2019-20 Not Played - Covid
2018-19 Tamworth Indoor Bowls Club South of England 28.5 - 39.5
2017-18 Bromsgrove Indoor Bowls Club North of England 37 - 31
2016-17 Bromsgrove Indoor Bowls Club North of England 39 - 29
2015-16 Solihull Indoor Bowls Club South of England 25 - 43
2014-15 Bromsgrove Indoor Bowls Club South of England 20.5 - 43.5
2013-14 Bromsgrove Indoor Bowls Club Draw 32 - 32
2012-13 Tamworth Indoor Bowls Club South of England 26 - 38
2011-12 Wey Valley Indoor Bowls Club, Guildford South of England 20.5 - 43.5
2010-11 Erdington Indoor Bowls Club, Birmingham South of England 21 - 35

English Inter County Championship[edit]

The ESMBA organise an inter-county championship for teams of 20 players from each county. Most counties will enter two teams, a first 'premier' team, and an 'A team'. Winners of the premier competition are invited to the Top County competition, where the winners of the English ICC play the Welsh & Irish winners. Teams are made up of two teams from each discipline (Singles, pairs, triples & fours).

Year Premier Championship A Team Championship Premier Consolation A Team Consolation
2019 West Midlands West Midlands Somerset Dorset
2018 West Midlands Devon Somerset Dorset
2017 West Midlands North Yorkshire Dorset Stockport
2016 Norfolk Kent Northamptonshire Shropshire
2015 Hampshire Devon Dorset Norfolk
2014 Cheshire Kent Northamptonshire Hampshire
2013 Cheshire Kent Dorset Hampshire
2012 Cheshire Devon Cornwall Cornwall
2011 Cheshire Kent Hampshire Cornwall
2010 Cheshire West Midlands West Sussex Cheshire
2009 Cheshire West Sussex West Midlands Cornwall
2008 Cheshire West Sussex West Midlands Hampshire
2007 Cheshire Kent Shropshire Cornwall
2006 Staffordshire Kent Cheshire Hertfordshire
2005 Kent West Sussex Warwickshire Gloucestershire
2004 West Midlands Herefordshire Cheshire Gloucestershire
2003 Kent West Sussex West Sussex Staffordshire
2002 Kent Kent Shropshire London
2001 Kent West Midlands Norfolk Northamptonshire
2000 West Midlands Devon Worcestershire Northamptonshire
1999 Kent Essex Hampshire Hampshire
1998 Kent Essex Shropshire Lancashire
1997 Staffordshire Somerset Shropshire Northamptonshire
1996 Norfolk Staffordshire Cornwall Cheshire
1995 Kent Cheshire West Midlands
1994 West Midlands West Midlands
1993 Staffordshire

International Championships[edit]

World Short Mat Bowls Championships[edit]

The Short Mat World Championships is held every two years in one of its member states. Whilst this may usually be inside the United Kingdom, teams such as India and Italy also compete; and thus could host the championships. Unlike the British Isles championships above, the world championships allows nations to enter up to two teams to each discipline; as there is no team event. There is also a knockout system in place after the first round-robin round. These tournaments are run by a group known as the World Short Mat Bowls Council.[6]

Year Venue Singles Champion[7] Fours Champions[8] Pairs Champions[9] Triples Champions[10]
2024 Belfast, Northern Ireland  Gary McNabb (IRL)  Aled Edwards, Alan Evans, Andrew Evans, Michael John (WAL)  Saul Featherstone, Ryan Knight (ENG)  Jack Pye, AJ Brown, Adam Smith (ENG)
2022 Aberdeen, Scotland
Alex Kley (ENG)
Eddie Curran, Daniel O Kane, Michael Gallagher, John Quinn (IRE)
Jonathon Gladstone, Andrew Hudson (WAL)
Llian Llewelyn, Jamie Stiles, Andrew Jones (WAL)
2020 (Played in 2022 due to Covid) Herentals, Belgium  Jonathan Payne (BEL)  Stephen Buckett, Mitchell Young, Alastair Mccrea, Ben Pay (ENG)  Jonathan Gladstone, Andrew Hudson (WAL)  Mark Thorpe, Alan Evans, Andrew Evans (WAL)
2018 Stromstad, Sweden  Jonathan Payne (BEL)  Gareth Davies, Alan Jones, Dom Reed, Chris Willies (ENG)  Jonas Häger, Joel Häger (SWE)  Danny Langdon, Ryan Knight, Adam Smith (ENG)
2016 Leigh, England  Raymond Stubbs (IRE)  Derick Wilson, Jonny Wilson, Eddie Campbell, Andrew Leckey (IRE)  Peter Hore, Christopher Willies (ENG)  Derek McCallion, Mark Sproule, Aiden Corrigan (IRE)
2014 Cardiff, Wales  Kevin Conroy (IRE)  Chris Mcwinnie, Jack Edwards, Andrew Jones, Nick Evans (WAL)  Pauline Beattie, Joe Beatie (IRE)  C. Hill, W. Lennox, A. Paul (IRE)
2012 Ballymoney, Northern Ireland  Stephen Williams (WAL)  Kevin Conroy, Fra Dillon, Michael Hand, Billy Taffe (IRE)  Dave Newsome, Ben Render (ENG)  Paddy Hanlon, Gerry McCabe, John Murnahan (IRE)
2010 Dumfries, Scotland  Stephen Williams (WAL)  Ronnie Stubbs, Gordon Stubbs, Keith Morrison, Raymond Stubbs (IRE)  DJ Wilson, J Wilson (IRE)  Glen Smith, Damian McElroy, Colum McHugh (IRE)
2008 Herentals, Belgium  Colum McHugh (IRE)  Leigh Hall, Trevor Brown, Craig Burgess, Stephen McAllister (ENG)  Babs Morokutti, Jody Frampton (ENG)  Simon Pridham, James Smith, Lee Toleman (ENG)
2006 Hopton-on-Sea, England  Chris Grocott (ENG)  Paul Hudson, D Hudson, Ben Haddon, Richard Hinkin (WAL)  James Trott, Mark White (ENG)  James Smith, Simon Pridham, Lee Toleman (ENG)

Short Mat Players Tour[edit]

Main article: Short Mat Players Tour

The Short Mat Players Tour (SMPT),[11] is a company responsible of events set up by Craig Burgess and Simon Pridham in 2011.[12] The SMPT are responsible for running events throughout Europe, the first to establish a world ranking system.[13]

Current Ranking Singles Events[edit]

Year UK Open Irish Open Norwegian Open British Open English Masters World Masters
2023-24  Alastair McCrea (ENG)  Gary McNabb (NIR)  Peter Roberts (ENG)  Matty Worden (ENG)  Mark Beattie (NIR)  Alex Kley (ENG)
2022-23  Pauline Beattie (NIR)  Joseph Beattie (NIR)  Peter Roberts (ENG)  Gary McNabb (NIR)  Mark Beattie (NIR)  Alex Kley (ENG)
2021-22 Not Played - Covid
2020-21 Not Played - Covid
2019-20  Mark Beattie (NIR)  Gary McNabb (NIR)  Benny Sjögren (SWE)  Gary McNabb (NIR)  Alex Kley (ENG) Not Played - Covid
2018-19  Alex Kley (ENG)  Raymond Stubbs (IRE)  Benny Sjögren (SWE)  Stephen Williams (WAL)  Stephen Williams (WAL)  Alan Paul (NIR)
2017-18  Sam Harvey (WAL)  Alan Paul (NIR)  Stephen Proctor (ENG)[14]  Nigel Nicholls (ENG)[15]  Jack Pye (ENG)[16]  Gary McNabb (NIR)
2016-17  Lawrence Moffat (SCO)  Alan Paul (NIR)  Mark Beattie (NIR) Not Played  Joseph Beattie (NIR)  Joseph Beattie (NIR)
2015-16  Gary McNabb (NIR)  Dimitri Payne (BEL)[17] Not Played  James Bucknall (ENG)  Gary Burke (NIR)
2014-15  Robert Martin (ENG)[18]  PJ McCrossan (NIR)  Stephen Williams (WAL)  Mark Beattie (NIR)
2013-14  Joseph Beattie (NIR)[19][20]  Andrew Leckey (NIR)[21]  Cecil Dillon (NIR)  Gerry McCabe (IRE)
2012-13  Mark Beattie (NIR) Not Played  Joseph Beattie (NIR)  Alan Paul (NIR)
2011-12 Not Played  Jonathan Payne (BEL) Not Played

Past Ranking Singles Events[edit]

Year Swedish Masters
2016-17  P.J. Gallagher (IRE)
2015-16  Marcus Almén (SWE)
2014-15  Cecil Dillon (NIR)
2013-14  Joseph Beattie (NIR)
2012-13  Morten-Andre Coll (NOR)
Year European Masters
2015-16  Joel Häger (SWE)
2014-15  Mark Beattie (NIR)
2013-14  Chris Mann (ENG)
2012-13  Jonathan Payne (BEL)

Current Team Events[edit]

Year World Fours Masters World Pairs Masters SMPT World Cup
2023-24  Pauline Beattie, Joe Beattie, Gary Moore, Mark Beattie (NIR)  James Shaw, Ian Hobson (NIR)  Ireland (NIR)
2022-23  Dick Almen, Eroll Morina (SWE)  John Lax, James Trott (ENG)  Stephen Buckett, Ben Pay (ENG)  Ireland (NIR)
2021-22 Not Played - Covid
2020-21 Not Played - Covid
2019-20  Ben Pay, Stephen Buckett, Alastair McCrea, Matty Worden (ENG)  James Shaw, Ian Hobson (NIR)  Ireland (NIR)
2018-19  Simon Pidham, Mikey Ivings, Craig Burgess, James Trott (ENG)  Alex Kley, Thomas Perris (ENG)  Ireland (NIR)
2017-18  Gethin Edwards, Aled Edwards, Cennydd Howell, Dafydd Howell (WAL)  Pauline Beattie, Joe Beattie (NIR)  Ireland (NIR)
2016-17  Ollie Hipkiss, Stephen Holdsworth, Danny Langdon, Ryan Knight (ENG)  Liam Smith, Peter Roberts (ENG)  Ireland (NIR)
2015-16  Michael Ivings, Paul Pomeroy, James Trott, James Smith (ENG)  Lisa Douglas, Jal Richardson (NIR)  Sweden (SWE)
2014-15  Andy Morrison, Jal Richardson, William Morrison, Lisa Douglas (NIR)  Michael Ivings, James Smith (ENG) Not Played
2013-14 Not Played  William Morrison, Jal Richardson (NIR) Not Played

International Short Mat Open[edit]

The International Open was the biggest open competition in Short Mat Bowls when it first started in 2010. The competition was organised by Craig Burgess and Barry Hedges of Essex; both of the trophies awarded are in memory of their fathers, John Burgess and David Hedges. The inaugural event was held at Kempston Indoor Bowls Club, Bedford, England, and had the biggest gathering of short mat bowls talent from all over Europe including England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Belgium and Sweden. In subsequent years, the John Burgess Trophy became a pairs event instead of the original triples format. The event finished in 2013.

Year Venue John Burgess Trophy David Hedges Trophy
2013 Havering Indoor Bowls Club, Essex  Allan Williams & James Trott (ENG)  Peter Fautley, Tony Elham, Steve Killington & Anthony Fautley (ENG)
2012 Havering Indoor Bowls Club, Essex  Joseph Newsome & Ben Render (ENG)  Sarah Beynon, Arwel Morgan, Tom Jones & Luke Haddon (WAL)
2011 Havering Indoor Bowls Club, Essex  Jack Shepherd & Chris Willies (ENG)  Steve Proctor, Andrew Beard, Gareth Stanway & Grant Soller (ENG)
2010 Kempston Indoor Bowls Club, Bedford  Marty Trainor, Alan Paul & Kevin Conroy (IRE)  Liam McHugh, Keith McCullagh, Damian McElroy & Colum McHugh (IRE)

British Isles Championships[edit]

Each year, winners of the national championships of each of the home nations (Although Ireland are usually represented as one country), along with a team selected by their governing body compete in the British Isles Championships. Despite being open to entry to all competition, the Isle of Man generally only competes in the singles competition. The winner is traditionally decided in a round-robin format, with the winner being the team with the most points, and shot difference.

The team competition for the British Isles championship is sixteen against sixteen; known as rinks. Each team deploys four teams of four over four mats, and the winning team is the one with the most combined shots over every mat. Although traditionally frowned upon, it is possible for players in the 'individual' disciplines, to also play in the team event. In this way, it is possible for players to win two British Isles titles in one season.

Current Champions:

Year Venue Singles Champion Fours Champions * Pairs Champions * Triples Champions * Premier Team Champion *
2016/17 Bromsgrove, England  Michael John (WAL)  Simon White, Keith Lackford, Stephen Proctor & Martin Walker (ENG)  Ben Render, Danny Langdon (ENG)  Raymond Stubbs, Jonny Wilson, Eddie Campbell (IRE)  Ireland (IRE)[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wiggins, Roy (2008). Short Mat Bowling (2nd Edition) - An illustrated guide to this challenging sport. New Generation Publishing. ISBN 9780755204489.
  2. ^ Colleridge, Roy. Short Mat Bowling Book by Ron Collingridge. Equipment, technique, etiquette, shots, rules.
  3. ^ "New Zealand Indoor Bowls - BowlsChat". bowlschat.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Taylor Bowls Catalogue 2017/18" (PDF). taylorbowls.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Hall of fame". St Georges Cup.
  6. ^ Weaver, Bob. "Short Mat Bowls". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Singles - worldshortmatbowls". worldshortmatbowls.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Rinks - worldshortmatbowls". worldshortmatbowls.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Pairs - worldshortmatbowls". worldshortmatbowls.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Triples - worldshortmatbowls". worldshortmatbowls.org. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Short Mat Players Tour". Short Mat Players Tour. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Short mat Players Tour LTD". Companies House. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Short Mat Players Tour - Bowls Chat". Bowls Chat. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Bowls: Stephen Proctor is top of the new world order". Crewe Chronicle. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Nigel Nicholls wins Short Mat Players Tour title in York". Falmouth Packet. 15 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Jack Pye wins the 2018 English Masters". shortmatplayerstour.com. 10 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Battling Andrew Morrison is edged out by Dimitri Payne at Short Mat Players' Tour Irish Open". Belfast Telegraph. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Short-mat bowls: Martin earns national title". Dorset Echo. 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Beattie and Leckey lift Irish and United Kingdom prizes across championship final meetings". Portadown Times. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Beatie returns to top of world rankings after win in Europe". Strabane Chronicle. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Bowls: Andrew Leckey faces stiff task in bid to retain SMPT crown". News Letter Online. Johnstone Publishing Ltd. 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  22. ^ "The English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA) - Premier Page". www.esmba.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-10-10.

External links[edit]

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