Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Potters Short Mat Bowls Cup at the weekend with a "Drinks & Draw" reception featuring Potters legend Mark Brewer along with Potter’s Groups representatives. In the late 1990s NCSMBA Officers Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith were approached by Potters Resort to promote and organise a short mat tournament at the resort and that proved to be just the beginning of their annual short mat bowls tournaments at Hopton-on-Sea that have proved such a tremendous success. Initially these consisted of one day tournaments but these quickly grew into weekend events and eventually two Monday to Friday short mat competitions were added. These group events have enabled short mat bowlers to enjoy the very special magic of Potters Resort at over £200 per person below normal brochure price and experience an all-inclusive holiday with short mat bowls at its heart. This year’s Potters Cup saw Wymondham’s John Jeffery, Debbie Sparham & Jon Sparham attempting to win the cup for the third year in a row but their hopes were shattered after their great start was spoiled by defeats in the third and fourth sessions. With one session remaining just four triples were still on maximum points and fighting for places in the finals. All four triples maintained their 100% record in the last session and places in either the Potters Cup Final or the Potters Shield Final were decided on shot difference. Leading the way with a shot difference of +44 were Jenny Walker, Dorreen Cooke & Derek Barley who had moved up from third place with a big win in their final game to claim their place in the Potters Cup Final. Val Vardy, Carol Taylor & Bob Taylor’s one shot win in their last game left them on +42 shots which proved just enough to claim their place in the Potters Cup Final. Hayley Osborne, Steve Easter & Val Easter had held second place going into the last session but a narrow one shot win left them in third place on +40 shots and a place in the Potters Shield Final against Claire Cranston, Gavin Grey & Jack Grey who finished with +34 shots. In the Potters Cup Final Bob Taylor’s triple took two shots on the opening end but Derek Barley hit back with three shots on the second end and a single on the third to lead 4-2. On a series of extremely tight ends Val Vardy, Carol Taylor & Bob Taylor were kept under intense pressure by Jenny Walker, Dorreen Cooke & Derek Barley on a slow mat that forced all six players to maintain their concentration to try and avoid falling short of the head. Going into the last end Bob Taylor’s triple led by just one shot and the result was in doubt up to the final bowl when Derek Barley’s forcing short missed its intended target leaving Bob Taylor’s triple celebrating victory. In the Potters Shield Final Hayley Stratton, Steve Easter & Val Easter made a solid start moving into a 3-0 lead after two ends. But Claire Cranston, who had won the Potters Shield last season playing in a different triple, was determined to keep hold of her title and with Gavin & Jack Grey in great form they fought back and won all the remaining ends to win 11-3. The Presentation Ceremony for the Potters Cup was presided over by Mark Brewer of Potters Entertainment Team assisted by Teresa Goldsmith. The Potters Cup raffle was run as efficiently as ever by Joan Costello. The Potters Cash Pairs played on Sunday was won by Maria Kitchener & Ivan Lunn with Wymondham’s Debbie & Jon Sparham finishing in second place. Andy George & Alan Stafford finished third. Popular Essex bowlers Carol & Bob Taylor looked favourites to add a Cash Pairs success to their Potters Cup win earned the previous day but a narrow loss in the last session left them out of the prize positions by just one shot. Next season’s Potters Cup Weekend will take place from Friday 18th September to Monday 21st September 2026 and details can be obtained by emailing Teresa Goldsmith on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
POTTERS CUP AND POTTERS SHIELD PHOTO-CALL
Val Vardy, Carol Taylor & Bob Taylor are the Potters Cup winners 2025
Dorreen Cooke, Derek Barley & Jenny Walker - Potters Cup runners-up
Jack Gray, Claire Cranston & Gavin Gray won the Potters Shield
Hayley Osborne, Steve Easter and Val Easter are Potters Shield R/Ups
Most Relaxed Triple were Sheila Sims, Sue Colledge & Caralyn Walker
POTTERS CASH PAIRS PHOTO-CALL
Potters Cash Pairs winners Maria Kitchener & Ivan Lunn
Potters Cash Pairs runners-up Jon Sparham and Debbie Sparham
Potters Cash Pairs third place went to Andy George & Alan Stafford
POTTERS "DRINK & DRAW RECEPTION"
Tournament Organisers Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith with Carlie & Chantelle
