Welcome to SLLIBA's Unofficial website.
The Association was set up in 2006 after it was handed over by the Sports Development Officer for the Local Council who initially started up the game in the area.
Where the game is played
Short mat bowls is an all-year sport unaffected by weather conditions and it does not require a permanent location as the rink mats can be rolled up and stowed away. This makes it particularly appropriate for small communities as it can be played in village halls, schools, sports and social clubs, hotels etc. where space is restricted and is also required for other purposes: it is even played on North Sea oil rigs where space is really at a premium.
How the game is played
The game is played in broadly the same way, and provides the same enjoyment and has the same attractions as lawn bowls and, indeed, many players participate in both games. The bowls themselves, and the smooth soled heel less footwear are the same as those used outdoors.
The object is for each player in a singles game or each team in a pairs, triples or fours to gain as many shots as possible by getting their bowls nearer to the jack than their opponents, and so outscore them.
The main differences in the playing conditions are the size of the playing area, the block that occupies the mid-position of the rink mat, and the ditch, which is actually a defined area of the mat surface. The intimidatory presence of the block, which prevents players from playing with force directly towards an opponents bowl to knock it out of a scoring position, and the narrow playing area, requires players to develop skill in using the natural bias on the bowls to bowl round the block. Bowls that touch the block, and those that come to rest in the dead area or in the ditch (other than those that touch the jack before going into the ditch) are declared "dead" and removed from the mat before the next bowl is delivered.
The primary skill requirement is in the fact that no two mats perform identically and all village halls have floors that are not perfectly flat therefore every competitive match is a measure of the ability of the visiting team to conquer an unfamiliar playing surface.
The Playing Area
 A game takes place on a long narrow mat called a short mat bowls rink, which measures approx 45 feet long and 9 feet wide
A small ball called a jack is placed at one end of the mat, a block of wood is positioned in the centre of the mat across the middle and a delivery mat is placed at the opposite end to the jack.
All of these must be positioned either on or within specific boundaries which are marked out on the mat by a number of white lines.
Playing the Game
With two feet on the delivery mat, each opposing player or team will take it in turns to send a bowl and attempt to get as close to the jack as possible. As the block of wood prevents them from playing directly down the centre of the mat, players must bowl around the wood and avoid touching it. (The purpose of the block of wood is to encourage more skilful play).
Players on opposing sides play their shots alternately until all bowls have been played by all players. This whole process is called an "end.”
The duration of a game of short mat bowls is usually pre-determined where a set number of ends is decided before the match begins.
In games involving more than one person on each side, an order of play is decided for each player on a team. This means that you have a “lead” player for each team who bowls first and a “skip” who bowls last. If there are 3 or 4 players in each team then the additional players are referred to as “seconds” and “thirds.” A second cannot bowl until the lead players for both sides have sent all of their bowls; and this rule follows for the thirds, and skips.
This website
was created on Sunday the 26th April 2008
The purpose of this site is to provide as much information and results to the league clubs and their members as soon as possible.
This website is published and edited by Craig Cummings and therefore can only go with the information that is received. I have the right to refuse any publication of any material .
I hope that this proves to be useful to everyone and can be a two way communication with the use of the feedback page.
If you have any comments on, or criticisms of the site, please let me know.
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