The Vale Short Mat Bowls Friendly League, VSMBFL, consists of nine Buckinghamshire bowls
teams who compete with each other in ‘friendly’ matches from October to April each year. Current
member teams are Beacon, Chinnor, Thame, Marsh Gibbon, Stewkley, Wendover LG, Wendover DG,
Bierton and Winslow.
The matches are usualy played in the weekday evenings starting at 7:30 and completed by 10:30pm.
The day of the week is club dependant. Two clubs play matches on Monday evenings, five
Tuesday evenings and two on Wednesdays.
The VSMBFL matches consist of four teams of three people from each club playing ten
ends using three bowls. The format for the evening is four teams competing on two
mats, tea/coffee/biscuits break and then the other four teams play their games.
The clubs also compete in the John Robinson Memorial Shield where the clubs are split into two groups. The clubs
play against each other within their group and the highest scoring team from each group then compete for the trophy
in the final at the end of the season.
The JR competition consists of two games of singles, pairs and triples with the players names drawn from a hat to
determine which game they play in, which position they play and on which mat. So you arrive at the club not knowing
which game, position or mat you will play. Makes for an enjoyable evening.
Vale Short Mat Bowls Friendly League
Welcome to the Vale Short Mat Bowls Friendly League
Short Mat Bowls truly is the sport for
all. It is for all ages and abilities -
making it the perfect sport for all
members of a family to enjoy
together. Like all sports, the object is
essentially simple, but to be able to
play consistently well demands
determination, concentration and
practice. Bowls is a sport for life -
those who try it usually get hooked.
It has been medically proven that
bowls improves general health and
helps to strengthen the immune
system. Bowls is not only a sport, a
varied and active social life comes
with it. It is the ideal sport for
meeting new people, socialising and
meeting new challenges head-on
Make new friends.
All the clubs welcome new
members.
Don’t become isolated. Losing a
loved one often brings isolation,
joining a bowls club can help
enjoyment return to your life.
Feel safe. People feel safe in
familiar surroundings and
company.
Bowls can be a lifeline. New
friendships can be formed.
Community spirit. All members
of the community can enjoy
bowls and lead healthier life
style.
Bowls give muscles and joints a
good workout. The game
provides all round physical
activity for the body and the
social side boosts psychological
and emotional health.
Bowls is primarily aerobic and
provides valuable cardiovascular
exercise as well as stretching
muscles. Bowls exercises the
mind trying to outwit opponents.
All of this means during an
average game you will: Bend
more than 30 times. Walk 10
times the length of the mat.
Swing arms more than 30 times
to deliver a bowl weighing more
than three pounds.
Join a club and enjoy all these benefits
To try short mat bowls just go along to a friendly roll-up session at any of
the clubs. A friendly bunch of like-minded people will offer a welcome and
demonstrate how the game is played. All that’s needed is a pair of flat-
soled shoes or slippers and a willingness to have a go. There won’t be
any charge for your first few sessions.
There might even be a cup of tea on offer
Vale Short Mat Bowls Friendly League
The league matches concluded in April and will start again in October 2022
But you don’t have to wait until then, Rollup sessions are running at your local bowls club now. See
the CLUBS page for details of your nearest club.
New members are always very welcome, you don’t need any equipment, just flat soled shoes.
Coaching is available free
A sport for all ages
A place to make friends
Exercise and keep healthy