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Entry Instructions

NATIONAL FOURS HEAT ENTRY 2024 2

NATIONAL PAIRS HEAT Jan2025

NATIONAL SINGLES HEAT 2024

NATIONAL TRIPLES HEATS 2024

Constitution

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Wrexham & District Short Mat Bowling Association 2025/26

Welcome to the Wrexham & District Short Mat Bowls Website

2024/25 Season

Important Dates:

Latest information:

Hello Everyone,

Hopeing that youv`e all had a great season outdoors, and are now ready for the Short Mat Season.

So just one thing to mention at the moment,

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL LEAGUE GAMES START AT 1.OOPM, WITH THE EXEPTION OF St MARGARETS SAINTS  AND MAGPIES WHERE THEIR GAMES MUST START AT 12.30 PM PROMPT

Hope to see you all at the AGM at Johnstown on MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2025 at 2.00pm.

Regards

Peter Kempster

Chairman / Admin

Hello everyone,

It won"t be too long before the league starts. and i`m hoping that you`ve all got your teams ready,        but in the meantime. Chris Davies from Montgomery is running a competition in memory of his young daughter.

If you are interested in playing, you can find the detais below.

Regards

Peter K

                                                         ELIN DAVIES

                                                  CHARITY PAIRS 

                                                      28.09.2025

                                                  £320 Prize money

                                                Entries: £20 per pair

                                             Entries limited to 32 pairs

                               Entries via email:- elindaviespairs@hotmail.com

                                                      Proceeds to

                                             THE LILY FOUNDATION

                   The Flash Leisure Centre, Salop road, Welshpool SY21 7DH

                                              Entry fee via B.A.C.S 

Hi All,

Isycoed are stuggling with a team for the new season, apparantly they have lost 5 players

but still want to continue in the league.

So we would like to ask if there are any players out there that would consider joining them in order

to keep them in the league.

So if you could let myself, Moira or Francis know of anyone that`s interested that would be great.

Let`s try and keep this long established club in the league.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Kind Regards

Peter K

Admin

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well

Hello Everyone,

Just to inform you all, that our new afternoon Short mat afternoon league will be starting on July 24th to August 28th

between the hours of 1.00pm and 3.00pm during the school holidays.

More details will follow shortly.but in the meantime, if anyone has any queries, then please contact

Julie or Moira, who will be only too happy to give you more info.

Regards

Peter Kempster (Admin)

Good Morning All,

I have some truly fantastic news to share with you all, 

Moira has been selected to play in the Ladies Championship Squad Team of Ten playing Skip in the pairs,

in January 2026 when she will be flying to Belfast with the team.

As you can all realise, this is of course a big event not only for Moira, but also for WDSMBA,

and i know that Moira will give her all to let all the selecters know, that we have a lot of quality lady bowlers

in Wrexham to choose from.

Moira is so amazing, she puts her total heart,soul and commitment into her bowling,not only for herself but for

her bowling club, but more especially the County.

So let`s all wish Moira all the very best, and hope she helps brib back a trophy from Ireland.

Go Moi, Go 

Regards

Peter Kempster (Admin)

,

Harlech Charity Shield

Sunday 22nd June 2025  

The competition with a twist!

Trefor (Gwynedd) shortmat bowls will be holding its annual charity competition on Sunday 22nd June 2025.

this is a doubles competition, sponsored by Harlech Food Services Ltd. 

Registration is 9:30 am to start playing by 10am. Registration Fee £7 per team.

The competion will be played in group stage with winner of the group going forward to Semi Finals.

Each game will be 7 ends, should the result be a draw then a further 3 ends to be played.

Everyone is welcome please email names to me no later than Friday 13th June

braniffa@hotmail.co.uk 

Regards

Peter Kempster Admin

Hello Everyone,

I have just recieved information of Wallace (Wally) Dutton`s funeral.

The funeral will be held at St Johns Church, Burwardsley, CH3 9NY

at 11.00 am.

The Family have requested that no dark clothing to be worn.

After the service, you are all invited to join the family for refreshments

at Pryors Hayes Golf club CH3 8NL.

No flowers, but donations will be going to the Church and to assistance dogs.

Thank you all 

Peter Kempster

Chaiman / Admin

Good Morning All,

It is with great sadness that i have to inform you all that Wallace (Wally) Dutton, husband of Delia Dutton

who plays for Farndon, passed away peacfully in Hospital last night.

A very successful business man, Wally was a very keen follower of Short Mat Bowls, and was often

seen supporting his wife Delia when she was playing.

Wally was always having a laugh, and you could have a very good conversation with him as he was

a very knowledgable man.

About 12 months ago he started having health problems, and had to finish work, which he did not like 

as he was used to working long hours.

During his illness, Delia was a truely magnificent rock in her care for Wally, her care, love and support

was second to none.

I`m sure you are all going to miss seeing Wally at the Short Mat Bowls events ( I for one will )

R.I.P my friend.

On behalf of the officers of the league, we would like to send our very sincere condolances to Delia andher

loving family on your very sad loss.

Sincere Regards

Peter Kempster 

Chairman/Admin

TUESDAY AFTERNOON LEAGUE

Well done to the Johnstown Eagles Team on winning the 2024/25 WDSMBA league for the second year in succession,

Second place came the St Marg Magpies, who with a strengthened team, put pressure on the top three teams all season,

Third place was Trevor, who unfortunately lost a key member of the team, but are now regrouping.

Tmanks must go out to the Captains,Players And and markers for making the league as competitive as it is.

Thank you all

Peter Kempster

Chairmsn / Admin

                                   2025 Open Pairs Competition Report.

What a day we had at the 2025 open pairs comp in Ruabon. The Ruabon venue is proving
to be a very good move. The event attracted entry of 20 pairs the biggest since playing in
Plas Madoc back in the day. We had entries from 4 counties, Cheshire, Montgomery,
Gwynedd and of course Wrexham.
The bowling was excellent and enjoyed by all. Four groups the winners of each group going
on to be semi-finalists. Our very own Steve Jones and Francis Brady playing Maurice and
Alan from Gwynedd, a hard-fought battle with Steve and Francis the victors winning 8-6 and
making the final. The second semi played by Steve and Ryan Marks from Cheshire and
Danny and Dianne from Gwynedd again saw some tremendous bowling with Steve and
Ryan winning 10-2 our second finalists.
The Final was very exciting with Steve and Fracis storming a head then Ryan and Steve
making a comeback, a very tough game played in good spirit, again the standard of bowling
was excellent. Congratulations to Steve and Francis the victors winning 9-7
Thank you to all who donate prizes and bought raffle tickets all the proceeds will be donated
to the Alzheimer’s society a cause very close to several bowlers hearts in the Wrexham
area.

Julie Kempster

REMINDER

Just a notice to everyone that uses Gresford Centre for Short Mat bowling or other activities,

that the final date to play at Gresford will be Wednesday 5th March 2025.

Good afternoon all,

We will be holding an open pairs competition at Ruabon school (post code LL14 6BT) on Saturday afternoon the 8th March 2025

@12.30pm entrance fee £17.00 per pair.

If you want to enter, then please send your entries to Julie Kempster (email julie.kempster@outlook.com) or Moira Griffiths moigriffiths58@outlook.com

The closing date for entries is Tuesday 4th March.

Thank you

Peter Kempster (Admin)

pp Julie Kempster

     Moira Griffiths

                           VIC JONES MEMORIAL MIXED DRAWN PAIRS

                                           sponsored by Roy Bebbington

Today the Vic Jones memorial mixed drawn pairs was held at Johnstown Community centre,

with a fantastic turnout of 16 pairs.

There was a lot of good bowling throughout the day, and in the final

Celia Watkins & Steve Wilson beat Pauline Wilson & Ian Griffiths.

I would like to thank the following people:-

Roy Bebbington for sponsoring the event.

Moira, Julie. Steve, Umpires, Markers, Johnstown BC.

Without these people this very important event would not have been possible. 

Thank you all

Peter Kempster Admin

Chairman

 Hello everyone,

It is with deep regret that the practice / coaching session that was due to take place at Johnstown Community centre

on Sunday 16th February 2025, has unfortunately had to be posponed due to lack of interest.

Regards

Peter Kempster Admin

p,p Peter Taylor

 Good Morning Everyone

For all the players that have participated in the trials for Llandrindod and indeed anyone
who would like to be involved in this next season.
There will be a practice/coaching session at Johnstown Community Centre on Sunday
16 th February 11am until approximately 2:30/3pm.
Dependent on numbers it will be £2:50 per person including refreshments.
Can you please let Moira know ASAP

Thank you

Regards

Peter K (Chairman / Admin)

Firstly Happy New year to all our members from the officers of Wrexham and District Short Mat Bowling Association..

Seconly, It is with great saddnes that I have been informed by Higher Kinnerton Bowling Club, 

that they announce the death of Roy Griffiths. 

Roy's funeral was held on the 20th December 2024,

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and Higher Kinnerton bowling club.

Peter Kempster

Chairman / Admin

The draw for the National finals was taken place today at the WSMBA executive meeting in llandrindod wells.

As Gwynedd have entered 2 teams in the rinks and 3 in the pairs,triples and rinks some counties have been placed as reserves in each of the disciplines.

Hello Everyone, after a couple of problems over the last two weeks, I thought that i`d display the emergency 5 player format, to try and make it easier for you all to see and digest.

Regards 

Peter K

Admin

EMERGENCY 5 PLAYER FORMAT

The format for playing with 5 players looks complicated but is relatively easy to
follow.
Choose which players you need to have in groups A and B (just two in each). These
two groups will play their three group games as normal
The fifth player will be a single player in group C
e.g.
GROUP A TOM DICK
GROUP B HARRY WILL
GROUP C BILL

The first two games will be from the A and B groups and should be played as
normal.
If the team with only five players are the home team then for the first C group game
the opposing captain should choose one player from the home team B group.
So the C group for the second session of games will be BILL and let’s say HARRY.
For the second C group game, the opposing captain should then choose a player
from the home A group, let’s say BILL and TOM
For the third C group game, the away captain can then choose one of the A or B
group players that hasn’t been chosen previously, so let’s say BILL and DICK or
BILL and WILL.
This means that some of the A and B team players will have played an extra game
than normal.
If the team with only five players are the away team then the format is slightly
different. It just means that the first C group game will have an A group player, etc.
It looks complicated but if you write the names down and work on the above format,
you’ll see it works well.
BUT YOU MUST REALISE THAT THIS FORMAT SHOULD ONLY BE USED IN
EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES AND IDEALLY ONLY ONCE DURING THE
SEASON . . .
!!THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THE EMERGENCY FORMAT!!

                                                                                          IMPORTANT MESSAGE

                                                 National singles report

There were ten entries in the singles and some excellent bowling all round.
The final for 1 st /2 nd position was won by Francis Brady who beat Steve Jones. The 3 rd /4 th play off was
very close but was won on the last end by Peter Taylor who beat John Jones.
Many thanks to Celia and Brian for turning up and for marking and measuring during the day.
Also many thanks to the players themselves for putting out (and putting away) the mats and
equipment. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Moira

           Dates for your calendar – at Llandrindod Wells

Saturday13th January - National fours final (against the other Welsh counties)
Sunday  14th January. - National singles final (against the other Welsh counties)

Sunday 28th January. – Border Challenge Cup
(Up to 20 of our county team players in a ‘fours’ format against Shropshire, Herefordshire, Brecon
& Radnorshire and two teams from Montgomeryshire)

Saturday & Sunday 3rd & 4th February
County Team challenge against the other Welsh counties in a fours format (for this we require 20
players)

Saturday 24th February – National Triples final (against the other Welsh counties)
Sunday 25th February – National Pairs final
(Against the other Welsh counties)

                             *****************************

The following events are at Plas Madoc

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE DATES!!
Sunday 21st January – National Triples heat
Sunday 11th February – National Pairs heat

Moira

                        BORDER COUNTIES CHALLENGE CUP

Hi all
On Sunday 28 th January at Llandrindod Wells, Wrexham & Dist Bowls Association will be taking part
in the Border Counties Challenge Cup against teams from Shropshire, Herefordshire, Brecon &
Radnor and two teams from Montgomeryshire.
We took part in this competition for the first time last year and it was very enjoyable and a fabulous
experience for those who had never competed against other counties.
We need to provide a team of 16 players (minimum) but are hoping to take more.
We have been told that we will get 5 games during the day so there is plenty of chance for everyone
to have a few games. The format is fours or rink games as they like to call them!
If you would like to be part of our county team on this occasion, then please speak to Peter
Kempster or Moira Griffiths. This is a wonderful chance to gain experience before we travel down to
Llandrindod wells on the following weekend for our national county games against the other Welsh
counties.

Moira

                                                                    National 4s Report

There were 6 teams entered in the heat at Plas Madoc and the results were very close during the
group games.
Although the games should have started at 9.45, it was actually nearer to 10 o’clock before we got
under way. The games consequently ran late but we managed to finish before 4 o’clock.
The winner team was skipped by Mike Seenan and the second placed team was skipped by Peter
Kempster. Steve Jones took third position and Geoff Haffenden’s team were fourth.
These four teams will now represent Wrexham at the National fours final at Llandrindod Wells on
Saturday 13 th January.

Well played everyone!

Moira

Good Evening,

The National Triples Entry form is now on the website ready to download, it can be found in the drop

down list on the left hand side of the main page under the heading NATIONAL TRIPLES ENTRY FORM (1)

and NOT the link titled Triples Entry Form.

If anyone has any problems then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards

Peter

Good Evening,

The National Triples Entry form is now on the website ready to download, it can be found in the drop

down list on the left hand side of the main page under the heading NATIONAL TRIPLES ENTRY FORM (1)

and NOT under the link titled Triples Entry Form.

If anyone has any problems then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards

Peter

Hi all 

Final update for Sunday 3^rd December. 

I require everyone to turn up between 9.30 and 9.45 as we need to start promptly at 9.45 (or as near as possible please!)  The mats need to be put in place too!  There will be seating along one side of the hall so once you’ve got your shoes changed, please make sure that bags are stored under the seats out of the way of players walking past. 

There are two groups of 3 so everyone gets a minimum of 2 games.  However, we will be having two extra mats out for the two teams (1 from each group) that will be sitting out each session, so that they can have a practice on the spare mats and get a feel for the number of ends, or even have a few ends against each other.  We will be playing 9 (nine) ends and this should take approx. 72 minutes per game. I’m hoping we can keep to schedule and don’t overrun each game or we won’t be having any breaks in between . . . 

The teams that sit out in each session should make good use of refreshment time, i.e. get your lunch when you can, and remember that food SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE PREMISES.  If you bring your own lunch, then you will have to go out to the car to eat it.  Food is available on the premises from 10.30am to 3.30pm, after which time the café upstairs will close. 

Once the group games are finished we will have a session whereby the two group winners play off against each other for the final first and second positions.  At the same time, the runner’s up from the two groups will play off for the final third and fourth positions, as we need four teams to represent Wrexham down at Llandrindod. 

I know I’ve said this before but I have a habit of repeating myself as I always get someone emailing/texting me to find out what is happening, even though I’ve tried to explain it in detail. 

Those who qualify can get county stickers for their bowls from me, if they haven’t got them already. 

Also, I need to know if there are any more entries for the singles heat at Plas Madoc on 10^th. 

So far I have 16 entries, but I will bring a list with me so that players can confirm their intention to play and maybe others will enter if they haven’t already. 

Anyway, we can discuss this more on Sunday.   If I've missed anyone out please could you pass these details on to them for me please.

I look forward to seeing you all then. 

Regards 

Moira  

 Tuesday Afternoon League

                                                                    IMPORTANT NOTICE

 Foot faulting

There have been a few incidents lately of players not standing properly on the mats and foot faulting
during games.
Most times when this happens the player’s bowl usually has a positive impact when it gets into the head
and can alter the score quite dramatically.
Players should make sure their foot is TOTALLY on the mat (not over the end or side, not even by a
millimeter) and should be TOTALLY inside the delivery lines (again, not touching them at all!). Players
who step forward when bowling are usually the guilty ones as when they stand with their toe near the
front of the mat, it usually goes over the end as they step forward.
Team captains (or preferably an umpire if present) should call a fault and stop the bowl before it reaches
the head.
Any team members, sitting out can warn their team who are bowling at the time, so as to stop any faults
occurring.
I know this might sound petty, but we play to the British Isles rules…
I didn’t make the rule, but I will make sure it is adhered to.

Moira

                                              CHRISTMAS DRINK AND QUIZ

ROY BEBBINGTON FROM JOHNSTOWN, HAS ARRANGED A CHRISTMAS DRINK AT THE SUN INN IN RHOS,

ON THURSDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2023 AT 2.00PM.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ, TO KEEP YOU ALL ENTERTAINED.

IF IT`S ANYTHING LIKE LAST YEAR, YOU WILL ALL BE IN FOR A TRULY ENTERAINING AFTERNOON.

REGARDS

PETER KEMPSTER

                                                                   GRESFORD BOWLING       

THE WEDNESDAY PRACTICE SESSIONS AT GRESFORD SHORT MAT BOWLING CLUB, WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2023,

AND RE-OPEN  AT 1.00PM ON WEDNESDAY 03RD JANUARY 2024.

THANK YOU

PETER KEMPSTER

pp Francis Brady     

                                                         COUNTY TEAM 

HI EVERYONE, 

WE ARE RUNNING ASSESSMENT GAMES FOR ANY PLAYER WHO IS INTERESTED IN PLAYING FOR THE COUNTY TEAM.

IT WILL BE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS ON SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2023 FROM 10.00AM TO 12.00PM AT JOHNSTOWN.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE.

REGARDS

PETER KEMPSTER

COUNTY TEAM SELECTION COMMITTEE

Good Morning All,

Our County team is in jeopody due to the fact that we have lost some players due to personal reasons.

We were unfortunately in this postion a few years ago, and we had to pull the team out of County competitions.

After a long struggle and hard work, we managed to ressurect the team and eveyone, including other Counties, were adsolutely delighted with what we had achieved.

So we are now looking for new players to join our team,I know that we have got some very good players

that are capable of playing in the team, so if anyone is interested could you please send your names to  myself or Moira as soon as possible, so that we can arrange a County trial as soon as possible.

Thank you All

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR COUNTY NEEDS YOU

Kind Regards

Peter Kempster

(County Selector)

                               IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL  TEAM CAPTAINS

Good morning all,

Can all team captains please make sure that all their team details are correct.

During one of the matches played yesterday (7th November) a players name was entered twice for the same game.

Though i can accept that it could have been a mistake, i must stress that it can cause a real headache for admin and opposing captains to get it sorted.

It is the responsibility of the home captain to make sure that all names and scores are correct prior to posting.

Incidently, all captains can alter the names and scores in their relevent games for up to 24 hrs after the match (just as in outdoors) after which time you would have to contactact myself.

If anyone has any problems etc,regarding the website please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Peter Kempster

(Admin)

Open Competitions

Hi All,

Here are the reports from the two recent open competitions held at Johnstown. . .
Last week’s triples competition had a few upsets and I can only apologise for my part in those
mistakes.
Julie and Peter ran the competition on my behalf and had a headache from the start. However I
believe everyone enjoyed their games, even though they overran.
Well done to the winners, Anthea, Peter and Mike and to the runner’s up Geoff, Doug and Roy.

The Open pairs was very well attended with five teams of players from further afield.
The games were played well and the final was a bit of a cliff-hanger. Well done to Chris and Carys
from Montgomery who managed to pull it out of the hat, beating Andy and Freda on the very last
end. A truly outstanding performance from all concerned.

Moira