The SMPT have announced rule changes for their events scheduled to take place for the 2024-25 season. One of their changes is sure to provoke much debate in the short mat bowls world and it will be interesting to see how, or if, Short Mat Bowls Associations react. This rule change seems to be an effort to deter bowlers from attempting to ditch the jack with their opening bowl, something that has become more prevalent in recent times, and the SMPT’s statement says that this change has been made following discussions between the directors, player feedback and awareness of continued growth of their streaming coverage and presence. Any first bowl that is a toucher, played by both players in a singles match or by both leads in a team match, will be removed from the mat if it fully enters the ditch. On social media bowlers were quick to react with Scotland’s Sandy McDonald saying “Should be a world wide rule. Something I would like to see pushed by World Council” while Belgium’s Jonathan Payne replied “World Rules are being looked at as we speak…I think.” Nigel Charles commented “A positive step in my opinion” while Pauline Lowe of Essex applauded the move. Last week the SMPT announced that Emma Trott has been made a Director of the Short Mat Players Tour following many years of volunteer service.
SMPT Statement in full
The SMPT have been reviewing the competition rules ahead of the 2024/25 season. Following discussions between the directors, player feedback and awareness of continued growth of our streaming coverage and presence, we have a made a couple of amendments which will come in to effect from the World Cup in August 2024.
Rule Change 1
The first bowl delivered by both players in a singles match or by both leads in a team match, which touch the jack must be removed from play, if in the course of their natural delivery path, enter the ditch fully. Should the toucher come to rest on the ditch line and a portion of it is still live, then this bowl will remain in play and can be further moved into the ditch by any subsequent bowl or the jack. Should the jack be moved by the bowl, it will remain in its new position, even if this is in the ditch.
Rule Change 2
Both the Irish Open & World Masters ranking singles events, will now revert back to twelve ends instead of ten, to align with our other ranking events.
