Short Mat

SHORT MAT COMPETITIONS 2025-26

It’s only a few weeks until the outdoor season comes to an end and the Short Mat season will soon be upon us, beginning immediately after we close the green on 21 September.  So, I am inviting all members to enter the club’s Short Mat Leagues and Knockout competitions, which I’m planning to kick off in the week beginning 6 October 2025. I’m proposing to continue with the changes to team formation and game formats introduced last season, as these were well received by most of you. 

As usual we will be playing the Pairs on Friday evenings starting at 6.00pm. Players will enter individually and then be drawn into teams. Pairs will be allocated into 2 pools, playing alternate Fridays and the leading teams will play off for the trophies at the end of the season. The game format remains with 3 bowls per player, over 10 ends. You can also put your name down as a reserve – you may find you get as many games as regular players!

Triples League games will be played on Wednesday evenings fortnightly, though this may vary slightly due to skittles matches. The format is 12 ends, 2 woods per player. As for pairs, players will enter as individuals and then be drawn into teams of 4 (which should allow for absences for illness, holiday etc.). The draw for teams (both pairs and triples) will be made at the club on the evening of Friday 26 September. 

Towards the end of the season we will play the knockout competitions, normally on Friday evenings, but will be arranged for other days, if not enough spare slots are available. The format of 2 sets, with a tie break end, if necessary, will continue. For the Pairs competition players can choose their own partner and enter as a team.

The club also enters the County’s Winter League (format is 2 rinks of 4), so we need players to sign up for that as well. We did pretty well in our first season in the 1st division, finishing 4th, but close to the top 3. We usually play 2 games per month, home and away and need at least 12 signed on to cover absences etc. If enough people are interested, we could enter a second team. I will try to make sure that everyone who signs on gets a fair share of games.

All fixtures will be posted on the noticeboard and the club calendar, and I will produce fixture lists for the regular games. 

If you need the practice or to get your eye in, the regular Monday and Wednesday afternoon roll-ups will be starting as soon as the outdoor season has finished: the first sessions will be on Monday 22 September and Wednesday 24 September.

Entry forms are available at the club now and when you have filled them in, you should place them in the box behind the bar together with the appropriate fees or hand them to me. You can also download and print a form from the links below - I will also accept emailed entries. Please note that the Management Committee have decided to increase the fee for Short Mat to £2 per session. The fee has remained unchanged for at least 15 years, but we have had to raise it to help cover to increased costs for heating and lighting.

 

Andy Todd

Short Mat Organiser