Latest News from Cornwall County Short Mat Bowling Association

Sunday 12th January 2025

County Four Wood Pairs

Over the weekend 36 pairs competed in the County Four Wood Pairs at Carnmoggas. 18 pairs competed on each day split into one group of six and three groups of four with the group winners qualifying for the County Finals on Saturday 29th March.

On Saturday Group One was topped by Sandra and John Worton (St Newlyn East) with 6 points +12 shots after defeating Lynne and Gary Davey (Liskeard) by one shot in the deciding game. Paul Symons & Percy Tripp (Helston) finished second in the group with 4 points +33 shots, a one shot defeat to the Davey’s costing them the chance of qualification.

Group Two winners were Elise Daniell & Peter Hore (Holmans) with 5 points +17 shots. John Worth (Luxulyan) & Brenda Sleep (Dobwalls) were second with 4 points +17 shots. Group Three saw Bob Banks & Geoff Risdon (Camelford & District) go unbeaten with 6 points +18 shots with Diane and Martin Williams (Penlee) second with 4 points +5 shots.

The result of Group Four came down to the last end of the last game with Chris Page & Charlotte Rollings (Duloe) picking up one shot to win 8-7 against Simon & Morgan Lees (Newlyn Trinity) to finish on 5 points +12 shots with Simon & Morgan on 4 points +17 in second place.

On Sunday Group One was topped by Steve Williamson & Austen Runnals (Luxulyan) with 6 points +18 shots after defeating Chris Jennings & Mark Williams (Camelford & District) in the final game of the group by 4 shots. Jennings & Williams finished second in the group with 4 points +17 shots.

Group Two winners were Leonard Lee & Mark Slack (Duloe) with 5 points +6 shots after a final game 7-7 draw against Paula & Rob D’Agostino (Kensey Vale) who finished second with 3 points +9 shots. Group Three winners were Rosemary Young & Rita Hancock (Blisland) with 6 points +20 shots who defeated Carol & John Dodd (St Newlyn East) 13-3 in the last game of the group. Carol & John finished second in the group with 4 points -5 shots.

Group Four was decided in the last game with John Thomas & Mike Dyer (Newlyn Trinity) winning 11-3 against Caroline & Alan Trubshaw to finish with 6 points +21 shots and the Trubshaw’s second in the group with 4 points +7 shots.

Inter County Championship

On Sunday Cornwall conclude their group stage matches in the English Short Mat Bowling Association Inter County Championship when they host Devon at Carnmoggas.

The Premier Team are tied with the visitors on 104 points going into the match and require 21 out of a possible 40 points. The reward for the winners will be a place in the Premier One Knockout competition and a Preliminary Round match almost certainly against Hampshire over the weekend of 1st & 2nd February. Defeat would mean a place in the Premier Two Knockout competition and a Quarter Final against West Sussex or Surrey over the weekend of 15th & 16th February.

The A Team go into the match with a target of scoring 31 out of a possible to 40 points to overhaul Dorset and Devon to finish second in the group and progress to the A Team Knockout and a Preliminary Round match against one of Essex, West Midlands or Norfolk on the weekend of 1st and 2nd February.

Short Mat Super Rinks

The local bowlers due to take part in the second day of the Short Mat Super Rinks competition at the Dorset Bowls Resort on Sunday 26th January learnt this week that the event has been cancelled with just less than three weeks notice.

In a statement issued via Social Media, a representative for the Short Mat Super Rinks said

Statement from Short Mat Super Rinks. We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel day 2 of the event.

We can’t fulfil the numbers and for the integrity of the event it has been decided that day 2 will not go ahead.

This means that The Bears are the winners of the first Short Mat Super Rinks event. Congratulations go to Chris and his team.

We will be releasing the highlights from Day 1 to show what a successful days bowling this was.

Hopefully we look forward to seeing you all next year!

The cancellation follows the recent news that England Team Manager Steve McAlister had stood down and applications were being sought by the ESMBA for a person to fill the post.

National Championships

The allocation of places in the 2025 National Championships has still not been confirmed to County Associations. Cornwall are expecting more places to be allocated this year after a significant increase in entries for the local qualifiers.

Short Mat Players Tour

Following the cancellation of the British Open the SMPT organisers have confirmed that any points accrued on Day One will be added to this seasons Order of Merit standings. The event will not however be included in the World Ranking Calculations.

Dates for the 2025/26 season have been announced.

World Cup – 22nd August 2025 at Falcon Indoor Bowls Club.
UK Open – 23rd & 24th August 2025 at Falcon Indoor Bowls Club.
Irish Open – 13th & 14th September 2025 at Belfast Indoor Bowls Club.
Norwegian Open – 18th & 19th October 2025 at Skien Fritidsparken, Norway.
World Fours Masters – 29th November 2025 at Falcon Indoor Bowls Club.
World Pairs Masters – 30th November 2025 at Falcon Indoor Bowls Club.
British Open – 10th & 11th January 2026 – Venue to be confirmed.
English Masters – 21st & 22nd February 2026 at Falcon Indoor Bowls Club.
World Masters – date to be confirmed at Belfast Indoor Bowls Club.

Entries will open 6 months before the event on the 1st of the month at 7pm.

UK Open entries will open on 1st March 2025 at 7pm. Set your reminders to not miss out.

Published by Cornwall County Short Mat Bowling Association

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12th January 2025