With the resumption of competitive matches following the pandemic lock down, Midsomer Norton Short Mat Bowls Club (home venue The Somer Centre) entered a team in the Bristol and District Short Mat Bowls League.

Matches are played with two teams of triples, scoring two points for a win per mat plus one point for overall score. The season started in October 2022 with a home loss against Saltford by only six shots and an away loss against Winterbourne Hatters by an agonising one shot, dissapointing but encouraging being our first time in what is a very competitive league.

Following a couple more close losses, we achieved away wins against Whitchurch Beetles, Winterbourne Beavers and a home draw against Wellsway Hawks.

The new year started in the first week of January with a home win by two shots against Winterbourne Hatters. The following week, the club went on their annual trip to the TLH complex at Torquay, playing three days of competition against teams from several counties across the South of England. The club entered three teams of four’s playing a total of six matches per team, results were, Team A three wins and both Team B and Team C achieved four wins each.

As well as the remaining games in the Bristol and District League to look forward too, at the end of January the club has a team playing it’s first game in a new competition, The Avon Challenge Cup and being played over three rounds at the Bristol Indoor Bowls Centre.

Are you looking for a new interest, then why not come along and give Short Mat Bowls a try.

The club welcomes new members of all ages, beginners and experienced players.

Club days are Tuesday’s and Friday’s, arriving in time to start at 2pm and finishing at 4pm with a tea and coffee break half way through.

The club has several sets of bowls of different sizes for beginners to use, all you would need to supply yourself is flat soled shoes or slippers to protect the mats playing surface.

For further information please contact either Peter on 01761 418400 or Roy on 07596 890827.

Roy Kerely