Cambridgeshire Short Mat Bowls

Cambridgeshire Short Mat Bowls

GERRY RUSSELL

It is with enormous sadness that the CSMBA committee announce the passing of our former chairman Mr Gerry Russell.

Gerry passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 22nd November 2023 surrounded by his immediate family and friends

Gerry was a former member of Sutton St Edmund SMBC and also played as an associate member at Walpole Highway.

He represented the County team on a number of occasions and was also the previous Captain of what is now referred to as the county seniors team.

For some years Gerry held the position of Chairman of the CSMBA and, to save the association money, kindly held committee meetings in the barn at the rear of his home.

The CSMBA committee send its deepest condolences to Gerry’s wife Janet who, being a fine bowler herself, gave up the sport to look after Gerry as he bravely battled his long yet personal fight against serious illness.

The committee extends its  condolences to Gerry’s family, friends and the many fellow bowlers, both past and present, that knew him.

To our former chairman, may he rest now in peace.

ESMBA Minutes
Copies of all the ESMBA minutes including those from the AGM have now been updated on the website.
What is Short Mat Bowls?

Welcome to the website for the Cambridgeshire Short Mat Bowls Association (CSMBA) where we hope you will find all the information you need to enjoy short mat bowls at any level.

If this is a game which you have not played before here is a brief overview.  Please also play the video above which shows a game between Alex Marshall and Ceri Jones.

Short mat bowls is played on a portable mat which is between 40 and 45 feet in length and 6 feet wide.  It is played indoors and can be accommodated in village halls, schools, sports and social clubs etc as the mats are rolled up for storage so do not need a permanent area.

You bowl to a smaller ball called the jack and the object of the game is for your woods to be nearer the jack than the opposition. However this involves skills and tactical knowledge which are gained the more you play.

The England Short Mat Bowling Association is the national body for the sport and was formed in 1984 with a nucleus now approaching 20,000 members. The game arrived in Cambridgeshire at this time and the CSMBA was formed. We currently have 18 member clubs with a membership over 400.

All our clubs adhere to the principles laid down by our Child Protection Policy and provide a safe and social environment for all ages.  For the competitive minded there are opportunities to play in various leagues and enter open competitions.

Bowls is an excellent way to keep fit, it can be played by all ages, sexes and abilities and is a very enjoyable way to spend your spare time and make some new friends.  

Why not give it a try - what have you got to lose?


AVAILABILITY
I just want to make sure that you all know that you can show your availability for games in the calendar by using the website.  

Click on the drop down arrow next to your name at the top right hand corner of the front page once you have signed in and you will see "Match Availability".  Click on this and another page will come up with all matches and it gives you the chance to mark as appropriate.

This facility is useful to the County Captains when choosing their teams so the more of you who fill it in the better.

Linda
Two Players from Doddington SMBC Selected for England Ladies Squad

Following the trials for the England Ladies squad which were held in April two players have this year been selected for the team, both Cambridgeshire players being from Doddington SMBC.  Congratulations to Hazel Spry who has earned her place at the first attempt and Linda White who has kept her place for the seventh year.  In the year of the first Ladies British Isles Championship this will be an exciting year for the pair.

SAFE BOWLS STATUS FOR COUNTY VENUE AT MARCH IBC




I am pleased to say that we have now gained a Safe Bowls Status Certificate for our county venue which means everything is in place for us to bowl in safety.  It has taken a while but means competitions can be run and we are approved to take part in the ICC as well.

SAFE BOWLS STATUS FOR SECOND COUNTY VENUE



We have now gained Safe Bowls Status for us to use Tydd St Giles as our second County venue.  

CHANGING YOUR PASSWORD

I know that some of you wish to change the automatically generated password which is sent to you as it is very complicated to remember. To do this log in using the password which you have been given then click on "My Profile" under the log in box and go across to "Update my Profile".  Where it asks for your password enter the one which you wish to use in both boxes and then "Save Details".  You will now be able to use your own choice of password.  Any problems please contact me.
Linda

COUNTY PREMIER TEAM SQUAD
County Premier Team Squad 2023/2024

Angela Randall
Barry Fox
Billy Chapman
Brenda Waling
Charlie Waling
Colin Buck
Chris Plaice
Craig Buck
Dave Bignall
Dave Wilcox
Dawn Fincham
Derek Retchless
Hazel Spry
Jane Stanford
Jayne Thorpe
Jean Retchless


Jeff Saunders
Joe Peters
John Boddye
Josie Charter
Kevin Stanford
Linda White
Lynn Bignall
Mary Fox
Maureen Bell
Phil Spry
Rob Bonello
Roly Fincham
Rosemary Cooper
Rosemary Richardson
Steph Stanford

THE LADIES SQUAD
Ladies Squad 2023/2024

Anyta Francis  Judith Bendon
Angela Jordan
Brenda Waling
Edna Ruggles
Gwen Siggee
Hazel Spry
Jackie Saunders 
Jane Brady 
Jane Spriggs
Jane Stanford
Janet Goff
Jayne Thorpe

Jean Retchless
JeanThorpe
Josie Charter
Joyce Needham


Linda White
Liz Mitchell
Lynn Bignall
Margaret Pearce
Mary Fox
Maureen Bell
Rita Payne
Rosemary Cooper
Rosemary Richardson
Sandra Smith
Steph Stanford
Tori Stanford
Val Ware
Viv Hempsell
Yvonne Monaghan



SENIORS SQUAD
Seniors Squad 2023/2024

Alan Francis John Boddye
Anyta Francis Josie Charter
Barry Fox Judith Bendon
Barry Stanford Kevin Stanford
Brenda Waling Linda Cave
Brian Beecham Linda White
Charlie Waling Lynn Bignall
Colin Buck Lynn Boddye
Dave Bignall Malcolm Spriggs
Dave Wilcox Margaret Pearce
Dawn Fincham Mary Fox
Derek Retchless Maureen Bell
Geoff Ward
Phil Spry
Jane Stanford Richard Kinghorn
Janet Goff Rob Bonello
Jayne Thorpe Rosemary Cooper
Jean Retchless Steph Stanford
Joe Peters Val Ware
John Goff Wayne Locke