From ancient times some form of bowling has been in evidence. Egyptian inscriptions
portray a type of bowls, in Roman times it is reputed to have its foundations in
the soldiers of Rome its origins in the Italian Alps. In more modern times the oldest
Bowling Green is to be found in Southampton and dates back to the thirteenth century.
There are many forms of the game played in many parts of the world today, Long Green,
Crown Green, Carpet etc.
The variation of bowls known as Short Mat, although relatively modern, its origins
appear to be wrapped in a mystery of folk lore. One rather nice story relates that
the game had its birth in the nineteen twenties, out of the travels of two itinerant
South African workers who came to the UK. They found themselves far from their native
homeland, weather, and bowling green. So it was that, in the dampness of the South
Wales climate, they sought to alleviate their homesickness, by playing bowls on the
carpet of a local church hall. They tried to replicate all the parameters of a full
size rink, finding as they developed their game that they had discovered a new, enjoyable
pastime.
However!
It must be stated that most Ulster players pour scorn on the Welsh connection and
the story of the South Africans is dismissed out of hand. It is maintained that Short-mat
Bowling came about almost by accident in 1926 when, on a rainy day, the members of
the Victoria Bowling Club in Belfast found refuge in the nearby Strand Presbyterian
Church Hall.
A couple of restless spirits began to roll their woods on the bare floor, soon others
joined in and the suggestion was made that a piece of carpet would help to improve
the play. From herein there is a period when reality is clouded by myth. However
in 1929 the Presbyterian Minister at Ballymacarret was photographed bowling a wood
along a piece of carpet, giving credence to their claim to be the very first Short
Mat Bowling Club!
Again the mists descend and obscure dependable evidence of any development towards
the game we know today. It is after the Second World War that tangible evidence is
available, and records may be found relating to a growth of Short Mat Clubs throughout
the province. Belfast was the stronghold but following establishment of the first
Northern Ireland league in 1951 other leagues were formed from 1954 to 1961. From
records available it appears that every league had its own set of rules (if any)
including width of carpet, fenders and markings.
Dimensions of the playing mat were finally decided by the general width of carpet
made and the size of Church and Village Halls in Northern Ireland. Thus carpet of
six feet wide and forty five feet long became the norm, although some use of nine
or even twelve foot wide carpets is known.
It was clearly apparent that there was an urgent need of standardisation if progress
was to be made. By 1961 the growth and popularity of Short Mat Bowling in Ireland
demanded its recognition as an established sport. This development is illustrated
by the fact that a meeting called to inaugurate a governing body was attended by
some three hundred representatives from the clubs of Ireland. Out of this gathering
a committee was selected to formulate a set of rules for the conduct of the game.
The value and quality of their work is shown in that today we play by rules which
hardly vary from the original (but there are no extant copies).
Whatever the truth regarding the commencement of Short Mat Bowls in Northern Ireland,
it is certain that they showed the way forward in promoting the game.
The Game Today
A special carpet, of green, measuring 40-45 feet x 6 feet, forms the playing area.
Essentially it is a miniaturised version of a full-size rink. However, the size is
such as to allow normal full sized bowls to be used in play. To prevent any heavy
straight drive, and promote the use of bias, a wooden block, 15 inches long by 2
inches wide and 3 inches high, is situated across the middle of the rink mat. Any
wood touching this block during delivery, is considered dead and removed from the
rink. Replicating an outdoor ditch, a one foot deep area is marked at the ends of
the Rink Mat, delimited by wooden fenders, which mark the end of the rink. One restriction
is that delivery mats are always placed in a specific section of the mat, which is
clearly marked with white lines. Otherwise the rules are similar to outdoor bowls.
Short Mat Bowling is a demanding sport requiring as many, though different, skills
and disciplines within play as other forms of bowls. Indeed, some players of the
long mat variation find it almost impossible to cope with the demanding parameters
of the sport which requires a delicate and skilful approach needing a very high quality
of concentration. The 26,500 registered players (and many thousands of unregistered
players) in England, would undoubtedly agree with this.
Although generally the game is played indoors using facilities of village halls etc,
one new and exciting development in Short Mat Bowling is the establishment of outdoor
rinks.
The ESMBA
In 1984 there were enough clubs in England playing this type of bowls to warrant
forming an association to govern the sport. On Saturday 10th March of that year a
meeting was held in Pall Mall, London and the ESMBA was born.
The English Short Mat Bowling Association held its first full meeting at Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffs, on Sunday 29th April 1984. It is required that all clubs and players wishing
to play in county league, national and international competitions, must be affiliated
to and play under ESMBA rules.
International
Short Mat Bowling is by no means restricted to the UK and Ireland and thriving national
associations exist in, for example, Belgium, Sweden and Norway.
