Categories
Categories
Short Mat Triples Competition Report
Tuesday 10th March 2026 6:39 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat, Club Competitions
The final short mat competition of the season took place on Saturday. It was great to see so many people, especially new members, enjoying playing or watching the game.
Final Short Mat Match Report: we 01/03/26
Monday 2nd March 2026 1:05 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
Spitfires vs Aylesham Starlings 26.2.26 (Home) The Spitfires have had a stroke of good fortune this week. A discrepancy in the league table was identified which was to Spitfires benefit. Points earned at their match against Canterbury Bells had not been added. This meant 4 points were due and when added brought their total to 39 points before today’s match. This took the pressure off Spitfires and took them out of the relegation zone.
Short Mat Singles Competition Report
Tuesday 24th February 2026 6:58 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat, Club Competitions
The first HBBC Short Mat Singles Competition took place on Saturday. A very long but enjoyable day was had by all. Many thanks are needed: firstly, to all those that took part to make the day an enjoyable event, special thanks go to Glenis McNeely, Chris Stuart and Vicky Lewis who stood in at the last minute to replace people who withdrew for various reasons. Secondly, to all members who kindly came to cheer on the competitors, your support added greatly to the atmosphere of the occasion and was appreciated by all, so thank you.
Short Mat Match Report: we 22/02/26
Friday 20th February 2026 11:00 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
17/2/26 Lancasters vs Boughton Courtenays (Home) The Lancasters played the home leg of their last fixture of the Short Mat Season on Tuesday. Addy Sanni, Shaun Green and Dave Prior unusually played on the Blue Mat but had a very strong game winning by 20 points to 8. On the red mat, Jane Lee, Dave and Chris Stuart had a very close game. After 13 ends they stood 9-14 down; but dug deep to score 5 points in the last two ends to draw the game. Lancasters took 5 Leagues points from the 6 available for the game. This moved Lancasters into 4th position in Division 3, just 3 points behind 3rd position. The final return, away match will be played next week.
Short Mat Match Report: we 15/02/26
Friday 20th February 2026 10:58 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
Hurricanes vs Swalecliffe Seagulls 9/2/26 (Home) With their final two games having been voided by the withdrawal of ARCA from the league earlier in the season, the Hurricanes played their last match of the Short Mat League and had a runaway win against the Seagulls at home on Monday. Jacqui Cooper, Angie and Brian Gisby won eleven of the fifteen ends with a final score of 28-5 whilst Dave McNeely, Dave Knight and Russell Cooper won twelve of their fifteen ends to win by 30 points to 3. The overall score of 58-8 gave the Hurricanes the 6 match points they needed to secure the top spot in the Division. They can now not be beaten even if the two closest teams win all of their remaining games. Well done Hurricanes, Division one Champions!
Short Mat Match Report: we 08/02/26
Tuesday 10th February 2026 10:28 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
After a two week break all three teams were eager to return to play.
Results of the Diane Wiltshire Pairs Competition
Wednesday 4th February 2026 11:27 am
Short Mat, Club Competitions
Our 3rd Short Mat Pairs Competition took place on Saturday. Thirty-two members, 16 pairs, competed for the shiny trophy and the title of Herne Bay Bowling Club Short Mat Pairs Champions!
Short Mat Match Report: we 18/01/26
Sunday 25th January 2026 8:06 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
12/1/26 Hurricanes vs Sturry Squirrels (home) With two games to play this week, both home & away, Hurricanes hosted Sturry Squirrels on Monday. With Jacqui Cooper, Angie & Brian Gisby on the blue mat and Dave Knight, Dave McNeely & Russell Cooper on the red mat, both teams secured runaway victories over the Squirrels 26-4 and 26-8 (including a ‘hot shot’) respectively. This maintains the Hurricanes top position in League Division 1.
Short Mat Match Report: we 11/01/26
Monday 12th January 2026 11:14 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
Aylesham Magpies vs Spitfires 6/1/26 Having not played since the beginning of December, the Spitfires were eager to restart their matches in the short mat league, playing away to Aylesham on Tuesday. Aylesham play mat on mat; this makes the mats slower which can make it more challenging for us as we play on very fast mats. Spitfires took 2 points from the match with Jane Chubb, Derek Hewett and Colin Tobutt winning 14 – 11. Unfortunately, Maureen Tobutt, Marianne & John Offer struggled with the pace, losing 17-6. Hopefully they will pick up points on the return match next Thursday. Spitfires are standing 4th place in Division 2 with 25 points.
Short Mat Match Report: we 21/12/25
Sunday 21st December 2025 3:17 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
15/12 Hurricanes vs Broadstairs Buzzards (Home) Hurricanes played host to the Buzzards on Monday evening. Having won the away match 0-6 last week, Hurricanes felt secure in having a strong position for the home leg. On the blue mat Jacqui Cooper, Dave McNeely and Brian Gisby got off to a very strong start only dropping 1 point in the first 11 ends. They went on to win 20-4. On the red mat however it was a close-run game. Dave Knight, Angie Gisby and Russell Cooper made a strong start, but the Buzzards pulled back in the mid-section of the game to overtake the Hurricanes, leading 6-10 with 3 ends to go. Fortunately, the Hurricanes listened to their skip who urged them for 3 strong ends to finish. They picked up 2 points on each to take the game. Final score 12-10 to Hurricanes. This was an important win, Hurricanes keep the top spot, against the Capel Kiwis who lost their game to the Swalecliffe Oysters during the week. This keeps the pressure on the Kiwis who now only have one game in hand with the Hurricanes just 1 point ahead. All to pay for in the second half of the season.
Short Mat Match Report: we 14/12/25
Tuesday 16th December 2025 6:51 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
Division 1- Hurricanes vs Broadstairs Buzzards 9/12/25 (Away) Hurricanes faced Broadstairs Buzzards away this week on Tuesday. On arrival at Broadstairs, you are faced with two mats laid on board and pushed right to the end of the clubhouse, there is nowhere to stand other than at the sides of the mats. This can be a bit off-putting as you can see people to the side of you as you bowl. Despite this Hurricanes secured a decisive victory (33-10) which solidified their top position in the League. Match points 0-6 to Hurricanes which maintains their lead on 37 points, closely followed by Capel Kiwis on 30 points with games in hand.
Short Mat Match Report: we 08/12/25
Monday 8th December 2025 12:53 pm
Match Reports, Short Mat
1/12/25 Hurricanes vs Boughton Acorns (Home) The Hurricanes played their first match of the week against Boughton Acorns at home. Dave Knight, Brian Bridges and Russell Cooper got off to a terrible start on the red mat, going 8-0 down after just five ends. Fortunately, they then scored a 5 which brought them back into the game. From then on, the tables turned and the home team won 6 of the next ten ends, each with a score of 2, 3 or 4 totally reversing the trend. Final score 21-12 to Hurricanes.
Short Mat Match Report: we 30/11/25
Monday 1st December 2025 11:05 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
24 /11 Barham Bears vs Spitfires On Monday Spitfires visited Barham. Pat Knight, Marianne and John Offer got off to a slow start but managed to win 7 of the 15 ends. Unfortunately, the Bears had the greater shot difference winning 22-15. Spitfires second team struggled with the Barham mats and went down 15-10. No excuses but Spitfires reported that the floor at Barham had been re-laid and there was a physical drop between the original part of the hall and the extension which meant going up or down a lump in the middle of the mats. This must have made playing there very challenging. Match points 6-0 to the Bears. Despite their loss Spitfires maintained their fourth position in Division 2.
Short Mat Match Report: we 23/11/25
Monday 24th November 2025 11:47 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
Barham Berches vs Lancasters (Away 17/11) With Jane Lee away and Christine out until after Christmas the gauntlet fell to the remaining team members to play the first of two Lancaster games this week. Unfortunately both triples struggled with the slow mats away and the Berches won 6-0.
Short Mat Match Report: we 16/11/25
Wednesday 19th November 2025 9:36 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
Capel Kiwis vs Hurricanes (Away 13/11): Capel le Ferne is the furthest away venue of the league and it is also one of the most difficult in the calendar as they have very strong players. In addition, Capel had new mats which proved to be quite challenging. Despite their best-efforts Hurricanes lost 6-0 but maintained their top position in Division One.
Spitfires vs Sturry Seals (Home 13/11): Sturry bought 16 visitors with them to view the match which may have seemed overwhelming and intimidating but the Spitfires took it in their stride. Pat Knight, Jane Chubb and Derek Hewett dominated their match winning 11 of the 15 ends with a score of 24-8. Whilst on the second mat Maureen Tobutt, Pauline Hougham & Colin Tobutt won 9 ends out the 15 with a score of 20-7 overall. Final result 6-0 to Spitfires moving them up in the table to 5th.
Short Mat Match Report: we 09/11/25
Wednesday 12th November 2025 11:13 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
In the return matches, Lancasters were first up playing against Boughton Challengers at home on Tuesday 4/11. On the blue mat with a change of position, Graham Packman played skip to Jane Lee's lead and Janet Packman two, they won 6 of the fifteen ends, unfortunately going down 15-9. On the red mat, with Dave Prior this time taking Chris Stuart's place as skip, with Pam Head 2 and Dave Stuart lead they made a tremendous start being 11-1 up after 6 ends. Unfortunately, they then dropped the next five ends but maintained the lead 11-10 after 11. The last 4 ends were neck and neck with each team winning two ends and each picking up 3 points. This meant the Lancasters held the lead overall by one point to win the red mat 14-13. Unfortunately, the bigger point difference on the blue meant the Boughton Challengers took the overall points. Final score 4 points Challengers, 2 points Lancasters.
Short Mat Match Report: we 02/11/25
Wednesday 12th November 2025 11:13 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
The Hurricanes played their home match against the first of the two Swalecliffe sides in division one on Monday evening 27/10. Dave Knight, Brian Bridges & Russell Cooper were victorious over the Swalecliffe Oysters 21-6 on the red mat, whilst on the blue mat, it was neck and neck for 10 ends before Jacqui Cooper, Dave McNeely & Brian Gisby let it slip to go down 13-8. Thanks to the decisive victory on the red mat, the combined score meant Hurricanes took 4 points to the Oysters 2. In the division, Hurricanes and Oysters are tied at the top, both with 10 points, however, Hurricanes have only played 2 games to the Oysters 3, so maintain first place for now.
Short Mat Season Opener Match Report
Monday 27th October 2025 10:55 am
Match Reports, Short Mat
Our teams have had a mixed start to the season.
Fixture 1: Spitfires were first up playing Minter Hinds away. Unfortunately, Minster won both mats (28-4 & 25-6) so took the 6 points, but Spitfires are hoping to fare better in the home return match.
East Kent Short Mat League
Tuesday 21st October 2025 10:30 am
Short Mat
The East Kent Short Mat League for 2025-26 has begun. The league consists of 26 teams from 14 clubs which are divided into three divisions. Herne Bay Hurricanes are placed in division one, Spitfires in division two and Lancasters in division three. All teams play each other Home and Away during the season which runs from 1st October to 31st March.
So Close but Yet So Far, Champagne but No Cigar
Monday 22nd January 2018 3:32 pm
Short Mat
East Kent Shortmat Bowling Association Men's and Ladies Singles Competition
The League Singles took place at the Hawkinge Community Centre on the 20th January. Herne Bay were well represented in both the Men's and Ladies Section.
Shortmat End of Year Tonic
Tuesday 2nd January 2018 10:19 am
Short Mat
The WOODPECKERS SHORT MAT BOWLING CLUB OPEN PAIRS COMPETITION was held at Bobbing Village Hall on the 30th December. After playing four games and convincingly winning three of them DAVE KNIGHT and MELISSA COOPER picked up the winner's trophy having won by having a far superior shot difference than any other team.
County Short Mat Success in the Fours, what a Christmas Cracker
Tuesday 19th December 2017 9:28 am
Short Mat
On the 16th December the County Short Mat Fours Finals Day took place at the Howard School in Rainham. The club was represented by EDDIE ALLEN, GRANT ALLEN, JOE KELLY and DAVE MASON who fought their way through the competition against very strong opposition to clinch the title.
Meanwhile in the East Kent Short Mat Bowling Association League as of the Christmas break our Division Two team the HURRICANES stand top of the division. The SPITFIRES in the Third Division are currently in second place.