Apporoximately 40 members - joined NYSMBA 1997

 

In February 1997, indoor Short Mat Bowls took root in Boroughbridge Leisure Centre when several keen and committed players from other more established clubs decided to strike out on their own. These included Jean & Ken Calvert, Richard & Dorothy Kay, Barbara & the late Ron Pickles, Jean Dixon, Kath Ogden and Eric Richardson. Such was the enthusiasm of the original 17 members that they had no hesitation in entering two teams in the Kyle Valley League in their very first season and with such an experienced core of players, success was never going to be far away. After coming second in their KVL Division in that first year they became overall League Champions in 1998/99. A quiet season followed when the club move to the newly built Coronation Hall – appropriately on the site of the Battle of Boroughbridge (1322) but they soon bounced back to take the leagues KO Cup in 2001/02 and the league Championship once again last season. In 1997 they were also one of the founder members of the Vale of York Pairs league and having been runners up in three of the last four years will be continuing to strive for the top place next year. Two years ago the club started an annual friendly contest with neighbours Yoredale and last season this was expanded to include Knaresborough. The clubs play for the “Calvert Cup” (presented by Jean & Ken) and is based on matches played during the afternoons only.

 

Apart from their league successes, Boroughbridge SMBC has several players who have achieved wins across the county in open competitions and who have qualified on several occasions for the Northern Zone Championships. Several play regularly for the County Team and a few have also been down to the National Championships as our county qualifiers. The club house is also the home for the Ousedale region of the Yorkshire (North) League. Most notable are Jean & Ken Calvert who between them over the years have had success in all four disciplines in most of the counties key competitions. Having together won the Northern Zone Pairs crown several years ago, 2003 saw them once again making their mark with Jean’s triple just missing out on the Championship title whilst Ken became our first winner of the Singles title. The Club meet on Mondays and Thursdays of each week at the Coronation Hall from 7:15 to 9:30pm and beginners are most welcome. Further information is available from the secretary as above or from one of the links below: