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Thursday 9 October - short mat bowls quiz
As the short mat season gets seriously underway we have produced a light-hearted quiz to test your knowledge of the sport.
1.What is the maximum length of the short mat?
a. 45 feet
b. 40 feet
c. 30 feet
2. What is the purpose of the block in the middle of the mat?
a. to mark the half-way point
b. to prevent direct shots to the head
c. to allow advertising on the block
3. When a bowl is delivered from the mat one foot must be:
a. touching the mat
b. wholly on or over the mat
c. touching the fender
4. When a bowl with a previous toucher mark is bowled it should be:
a. regarded as dead and removed from the rink
b. given back to the deliverer for redelivering
c. cleaned as soon as it has come to rest
5. The width of a rink mat should be:
a. 4 foot 9 inches
b. 5 foot 6 inches
c. 6 foot
6. How many bowls does each player play with in a singles game?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
7. If a bowl hits the block after delivery it is:
a. regarded as dead and removed from the mat
b. returned to the deliverer for only one more try
c. regarded as dead and the playing team are deducted one point
8. The governing body in short mat bowls in England is:
a. Bowls England
b. Short Mat Players Authority
c. English Short Mat Bowling Association
9. The delivery area is defined by two white lines and a player who steps over either of those lines in delivering:
a. shall be warned and if repeated will be penalised one shot
b. must replay that shot
c. has that bowl declared dead
10. A player in a singles game may visit the head having bowled:
a. one bowl
b. two bowls
c. three bowls
11. What is the term for a bowl that touches the jack during delivery:
a. a toucher
b. a marker
c. a skip's bowl
12. Should a jack be driven into the ditch and rebounds back into a live area it shall be:
a. placed on the jack line closest to the ditch
b. placed in the ditch closest to the point that it had entered the ditch
c. left where it ended up and the game continues
13. In a competitive fours game the skip winning the toss and bowling first shall:
a. place the jack at the furthest end of the jack line
b. offer the jack to the opposition skip to place it where they wish on the jack line
c. place the jack anywhere they choose on the jack line
14. If a bowl enters the ditch and touches a jack already there:
a. it shall be marked as a toucher where it has come to rest
b. it shall be placed in the live area at the point of entry into the ditch
c. it shall be removed as a dead wood
15. If a player delivering a wood has any part of a foot in the ditch area:
a. the player should be warned not to do it again
b. the player should have their bowl returned before it reaches the head
c. a foot fault should be declared and the wood bowled regarded as dead
So there you have it. The correct answers will be published in a week's time. Anyone who believes that they have answered them all correctly should send them to the webmaster (via the contact us page) who will announce the name of this star when publishing the results.
Friday 3 October - short mat taster sessions
Club members who have never tried the skilful game of short mat bowls can turn up on two dates and give it a go.
The first date is tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 10am. The next date with be Sunday, 12 October at 10am.
Give it a try, over 60 club members play it regularly.
Thursday 2 October - more help needed
The gardens may not look as good as that now, but they will do next year if the cutting-back and other preparatory work necessary at this time of the year is carried out. Can you spare a little time on a Monday morning to help Jo Rigby and her small band of helpers keep on top of the tasks that need doing? Pop along and see what you can do.
Wednesday 1 October - recent changes
The following changes have now been made to sections on the website to reflect winter activity:
Competitions - here you will find the short mat diary and fixtures for the winter months
Club 2025/26 - here are the short mat tables and the competition sheets which will be updated weekly
Leagues 2025/26 - here are the two divisions of the external league in which our short mat teams participate
Events - here are details of the many events going on across the club this winter, short mat, bridge, line dancing, snooker and numerous socials and AGMs etc.
Monday 29 September - the transition from summer to winter activities
With the finish of the outdoor season, the Club gears up for the numerous activities which occupy many members during the winter months.
This website has to be flexible enough to make that transition and over the next few days, many sections will change.
Wednesday 24 September - memories of summer
Click on images to expand
Wednesday 24 September - a thankyou to our sponsors
Our Club is very lucky to have a wide and loyal range of sponsors with whom we have a partnership which is mutually beneficial.
In alphabetical order they are:
Boy's & Maughan - solicitors
Burgess Hodgson - accountants
Canterbury Auction Galleries - auction house
Chaucer Hospital - private hospital
Choose Leisure - motorhomes
Howden - insurance brokers
In Action Bowlswear - bowls supplies
McCarthy Stone - retirement homes
Mickle Creative - design, printing and websites
Shepherd Neame - brewers
Specsavers - hearing health
Tim Gower Building Services - building projects
Woollard & Kent - funeral services
Have a look at what they have to offer.
Monday 22 September - Ladies Monday night league winner
The Ladies Monday night league was a new innovation this season. It took place over 13 weeks and the best 10 results were needed to qualify for the top spot.
So congratulations are due to Sandra Swann who finished top of that league and becomes its first champion.
Sunday 21 September - Ladies closing day
This afternoon the ladies of the club put their collective best feet forward as they prepared to play their last game of the 2025 outdoor season.
Sunday 21 September - Celebration or celebratory?
In the last few years the dinner that we hold in order to award the prizes for the previous 12 months of sporting endeavour has previously been described as a celebratory or a celebration event. AI tells us that celebratory is a recognition of the achievement, whereas the use of celebration indicates the dinner is structured itself as such.
So now you are none the wiser you can focus on getting this year's dinner in your diary. It is always a jolly event made jollier if you managed to win something.
The price has been adjusted for club members and is now £25.
Saturday 20 September - Men's closing match
The season seems to have rushed past at an unseemly rate and so it came to pass that a good turnout of the men members assembled this afternoon for their last outdoor challenge of the year.
Thursday 18 September - winners all
Thanks to our photographer, Richard Close, we have almost a full gallery of winners and runners ups from our Final's Day. Some of the contestants had to battle the elements, but still came out smiling.
There is a certain amount of "same old faces" as you will see as you scroll down. It certainly appears that it is a good thing to aspire to being one of the captains as all that practice pays dividends.
Men's Singles
Winner
Tom Attaway
Men's Singles
Runner Up
Andy Ferguson
Ladies Singles
Winner
Lin Riches
Ladies Singles
Runner Up
Yvonne Gambrill
Ladies Pairs
Winners
Mandy Catt and Jenny Anderson
Ladies Pairs
Runners Up
Gail Hone and Deborah MacVean
Men's Pairs
Winners
Andy Ferguson and Bryan Nicholson
Men's Pairs
Runners Up
Mark Collison and Dixie Duricki
Court Cup
Winner
Andy Ferguson
Court Cup
Runner Up
Jim Catt
Men's 2 Wood
Winner
Andy Ferguson
Men's 2 Wood
Runner Up
Dixie Duricki
Winner
Ladies Challenge Cup
Julie Spooner
Ladies Challenge Cup
Runner Up
Deborah MacVean
Winner
Men's Handicap
Tom Attaway
Men's Handicap
Runner Up
Bob Moore
Ladies Handicap
Winner
Julie Spooner
Ladies Handicap
Runner Up
Karen Owen
Over 65's Cup
Winner
Dave Todd
Over 65's Cup
Runner Up
Mervyn Gulvin
Mixed Pairs
Winners
Karen Owen and Bob Moore
Mixed Pairs
Runners Up
Sue Trott and Bryan Nicholson
Ladies 2 Wood
Winner
Mandy Catt
Ladies 2 Wood
Runner Up
Chrissie Barr
Saturday 13 September - bowlers tested by conditions
Bowlers are tough and they need to be as the heavens opened this morning and heavy rain came down for over an hour. But with a crowded schedule, bowlers, markers, scorers and umpires just got on with it. The spectators were forced to shelter.
The sun will shine later we are assured.
The weather has improved and the prospect of a spot of lunch now seems attractive.
Meanwhile in Scotland, Canterbury's Joe Vandepeer was leading for England's under 25 team against Wales and coming out victorious.
A word for the organisers of the Final's Day who had to cope with their schedules being thrown out of kilter due to the weather, so well done to Barbara White and Alan Cornfoot.
Finally, a thank you to our official photographer Richard Close who will produce his usual high standard of photos of the winners in the next few days. They will appear on the website at that time.
A late entry appeared and literally took the Novices Cup by a large margin.
Friday 12 September - Final's Day
It only seems a short while ago that the opening days took place and now we have tomorrow a feast of top class bowling as the main competitions come to a conclusion. Food and drink available throughout the occasion. Come along and support all those who have battled through to the finals.
Wednesday 10 September - not only.....
Not only did the ladies of Canterbury win the Dover League, they also went on to the League finals day held at the Sandwich Bowls Club (who did a fine job in providing hospitality) and they won again. The four who represented Canterbury and overcame Victoria Park in their match have some familiar faces.
Jenny, Mandy, Yvonne and Sue
Monday 8 September - the marathon cup winner
The Major Carroll is one of those competitions which is a marathon rather than a sprint taking place weekly from 28 April to 8 September. It looks to shot accumulation over an individual's best 10 matches to provide the winner.
It was very tight at the top of the league and three contenders drew away at end, being Brian Carpenter, Bob Moore and Mike Sequenza.
It was Mike that just squeezed into the top spot and he is pictured below with Simon Willis who runs the competition.
Mike and Simon
Sunday 7 September - strike a pose
If you have nothing better to do on a nice sunny Sunday, then shame on you. However, in a spare moment you might want to test how observant you have been while watching, or playing with, a number of the leading players in the Club. How many can you identify? No prizes.
Saturday 6 September - the Matthew/Allen cups
A two cups competition today, one cup for the lead and one cup for the skip in a pair. Played after a random draw over three matches of nine ends, the two best performers then play a final for the win.
And the runners-up were Edric Churchley and Robert Green.
But the winners with the two cups, one each, were Bob Moore and Dave Anderson.
Friday 5 September - Friday night conclusion
So after 17 weeks of fierce, but fair, competition the men's Friday Night 2 Wood triples produced the final tables.
The Owls got beaten by Invicta, but still keep the title and the Choughs join the Magpies in Division One next year.
The last two teams will be replaced by the Ravens and Becket.
Premier Final
Division One Final
There is good banter, whether winning or losing, and with the prospect of a curry and a bevvy in the clubhouse afterwards (or before as a spectator) what could be better. Even the weather behaved itself.
Finally, a big thankyou to Bryan Nicholson for organising the teams, the fixtures, keeping track of the results and publishing the tables.
Saturday 30 August - well done Isaac (Jenner)
Becoming English National Singles Champion at age 21 takes some doing. So many congratulations to Isaac Jenner who was leading 20-9 and then left the watching supporters with shredded nerves as he stretched out the final, finally winning 21-19. We took a picture of the winning bowl.
Saturday 30 August - Friday Night league clarity
The newly promoted Owls can go into next week's final match knowing that regardless of the result they will be crowned Champions of the Premier League thanks to Invicta spoiling the chances of the Buzzards, the only team capable of overtaking the Owls.
The attention next week will be on the relegation issue. Magpies are already relegated, but who will go down with them? Cooper could theoretically be vulnerable but their shot difference advantage would save them. So it will be between the Choughs and the Doves, both of whom have tough last matches.
In Division One the Ravens, despite losing to the Kestrels last evening, will end up leading the Division due to their shot difference, even if they lost again next week. So the crunch match of next Friday will be the Kestrels against Becket, Kestrels needing the win, Becket a win or draw, to gain promotion.
Playing bowls on a warm late summer Friday evening also comes with some spectacular cloud formations.
Friday 29 August - Isaac Jenner into the men's singles final
We have featured Isaac Jenner on this website a number of times over the last couple of years as he has been the regular partner of Canterbury's Joe Vandepeer in Kent and England under 25 competitions and Isaac has played on our green several times in the last year.
Joe and Isaac last year
This morning in the men's semi-final Isaac produced an almost faultless display in defeating his opponent 21-6 and if you want to see this tour de force then it is available to see (and Sue Mates had the closest view of proceedings) here.
Isaac will play his final tomorrow at 1pm (live streamed) and we wish him well.
Joe and Isaac will both be playing in the Under 25 International Series in Scotland on 13 and 14 September which is likely to be live streamed.
Thursday 28 August - first streaming glimpse of Sue
Sue Mates, our international umpire, has been slaving away officiating at Leamington. For the first time tomorrow you can watch her as she takes charge of the Men's Semi-Final at 9.30am. It looks as if one of the players will be Isaac Jenner from Appleyard who won his quarter-final 21-20, having let a 10 shot lead slip.
Sue marking in the live stream in 2024
It's gruelling work over many long days. She is booked in to the bitter end as she is the designated umpire for the Middleton Cup Final on Sunday afternoon 31 August.
Wednesday 27 August - our neighbours in the Nationals
Our club participation in the National Finals may have ended but it is good to see bowlers that we see playing on our green most years doing well and flying the Kent flag.
Today, we see Hazel Larkin from Ashford Rail making good progress in the Women's Singles, while Isaac Jenner from Appleyard (and Joe Vandepeer's pairs partner) starts his journey in the Men's Singles. Later this afternoon (4.30pm) they are streaming the Men's Pairs Semi-finals where the West Wickham pair of Joe Sanford and Chris Smith are competing.
Monday 25 August - the search for new coaching talent
The Club searched high and wide for top quality coaching talent and a week ago we were lucky enough to observe the first masterclass of this young bowls guru.
His first tip to the assembled audience was to think carefully about the shot you are looking to play.
Having chosen the weight of shot needed to win the end he demonstrated the release position for a drawing bowl delivered by the right hand.
Finally, he showed the effort required for a strike bowl using his left hand, the speed of the shot turning the bowl into a blur.
The Club are hoping to sign him up for regular training sessions, but his fees in all forms of chocolate might be more than the Club can afford.
Thanks to the Ellis family for putting us in touch with this new resource.
Sunday 24 August - the mixed triples trophy
Over 40 bowlers turned out on a lightning fast green to contest the Dickins Trophy. It was good to see new joiners (and beginners) giving it a go and playing well. They must have wondered how much more difficult the greens are when baked by the sun, but there is an explanation for the extreme speed today - the greenkeeper has had to manage the greens with a broken water pump.
We were lucky with beautiful weather and with our laid back, but extremely efficient and high-tech, competition organiser Pete Foster.
Pete Foster
The format for this competition is a random draw to determine the opposition for all triples competing. All triples then play four matches of 7 ends against different opponents. The object to win all four.
As it happens several teams won three matches, but the team with the best performance in that group were Alison Macdonald, Wendy Wright and Brian White.
Alison Brian and Wendy
However, winning three matches was not going to be good enough to take the Trophy today. We had a four match winner and that was the very strong triple of Lin Riches, Paul Causer and Tom Attaway, pictured below with the Trophy.
Tom, Lin and Paul
Saturday 23 August - Friday night fever
The men's Friday Night League last evening produced results which throw the destiny of the Premier League Championship into doubt. The Owls, who have led the Premier for many weeks, lost to their nearest challengers, the Buzzards. There is now only one point between them with two games to go.
Marlowe continued their late resurgence (as last year) and dominated Cooper and thrust themselves into fourth place. Invicta overcame the Choughs and rise into third place but 4 points behind the Buzzards.
Next week Owls play the Doves who have slid down the League, whilst Buzzards take on the rising Invicta. These two games should determine where the Championship will lie.
Magpies will play their bowls in Division One next season. Who will join them? Choughs look the most vulnerable.
In Division One Ravens sealed their promotion to the Premiership by seeing off Becket, their nearest challengers. The Becket defeat gives Kestrels the opportunity to snatch the second promotion spot if they can defeat the Ravens next week.
Full tables are here if you scroll down.
Thursday 21 August - an occasional visitor
A couple of weeks ago a visitor came for a roll-up for the first time in almost 30 years. He was spotted playing rather well and outshining both Messrs Causer and Cornfoot his roll-up companions. Who was this very occasional visitor and former member?
He has not been playing outdoor bowls for very many years, as life got in the way of our sport. To give you a clue, he is one of the very few people to have their picture hanging on the walls of our clubhouse.
Another clue, he has two entries on our Honours Boards.
And the photo reveals his full name. We hope that he liked the experience and will not leave it so long before coming again.
Tuesday 19 August - live streaming of Nationals starts today
If bowls at Canterbury is not enough you can feast your eyes on some of the top bowling talent in England competing at Leamington as the live streaming of a selection of matches starts today.
You will have to put up with promotional stuff from Bowls England and Aviva before you can see the live event, but generally it is worth the wait. It looks like 3 matches per day.
This is where you sign up for it.
Saturday 16 August - one to celebrate today, another tomorrow?
Today was the day for the men's drawn pairs where the pairings are determined by lots. The competition is then decided over 4 games of 7 ends.
The winners were Brian White and Phil Denny.
Brian and Phil
Runners-up were Bob Keen and Tom Attaway.
Bob and Tom
There may be more celebrations for a Canterbury player, Joe Vandepeer. Joe is an important member of Kent's Under 24 team which is competing in the White Rose Trophy tomorrow in the National Championships. Joe is playing in both the pairs and fours in the quarter-finals as Kent take on Essex.
Saturday 16 August - Friday night run in
Typically, the final 3 weeks of the men's Friday Night League are the weeks which determine promotion and relegation issues. At this point all teams will have played each other twice, but in the final 3 weeks teams will play their nearest competitors once more. This is what makes late change a possibility.
In the Premier Division, can anyone catch the newly-promoted Owls? Can the Choughs drag themselves out of the relegation places?
In Division One, will Ravens draw further ahead? Can the Kestrels overtake at least one of the teams above them and snatch promotion?
Win your last 3 games and anything is possible!
Wednesday 13 August - National championships start today
The Aviva National Championships start today in Leamington. Streaming of selected matches does not start this week, so you cannot watch Mandy play at 10.30am today in her women's two wood. You can however see the live scoring in her match by going here however you will have to log in with an account first.
If you don't want to do that, we will post her progression on this website at intervals in her matches here.
Score at 10.40am Mandy 7-2 up after 6 ends; score at 10.50am 9-4 up 10 ends; score at 11.00am 14-5 up ? ends: score at 11.10am 15-7 up 17 ends ; match WON! Now on to the next match starting at 3pm when she will play Charlotte Emanuel from Cranleigh, Surrey.
And we are off for the next match. First report at 3.05pm Mandy 4-2 up after 4 ends; score at 3.15pm 6-2 up 6 ends; score at 3.25pm 6-5 up 8 ends; score at 3.35pm up 9-7 after 12 ends; score at 3.45pm down 9-12 after 15 ends; score at 3.47pm down 12-13 after 18 ends; now 12-14 after 19 ends; and it all ends for Mandy 12-15. What a fine effort!
The first match with a Kent interest was Grant Allen from Herne Bay in the men's two wood which started at 9am and which he won. Grant also won his second and third matches quite easily and is now into day two.
Canterbury "old girl" now living in Essex, Leah Bamford, got through two matches in the same event.
Sue Mates (Umpire officiating but not at Mandy's match), Mandy and Kent Women's President Claudia
It's not as if Mandy is battling on her own. Good to see that Jim is sporting the club colours!
Wednesday 13 August - Dover League champions!
Victoria Park defeated Sandwich meaning that Canterbury will stay top of the league regardless of further matches. Very well done to the ladies! More of that to follow when the presentation takes place in early September.
Monday 11 August - ladies Dover League update
We reported on 5 August that the ladies had a chance of capturing the Dover League title provided that they did the business today against Ash/River. And they certainly did that with Liz Long, Jenny Anderson and Mandy Catt winning at home 29-8 and Lin Riches, Maddie McConomy and Yvonne Gambrill winning away 32-7. For the moment that puts Canterbury ladies top of the league and we await other results to see if we can be overtaken.
Monday 11 August - some new creations
Monday mornings, as is well known in the Club, are the time when groups of members come together to get things done. This morning was no different.
Two of the gardening team use their hairdressing techniques to keep the plants between the greens up to shape; the treasurer is balancing the books; a new sponsor's board gets drilled and erected; and the volunteer workforce gather beneath newly purchased, and very cheerful, giant brollies to have a welcome mid-morning cuppa.
A credit to our gardening volunteers
Some also support us in other ways
