And just like that — Short Mat is back!
The official first session of the year took place under our brand-new roof and gleaming spotlights, and what a difference a ceiling makes! The lights lit up the mat beautifully, casting long, dramatic shadows behind each bowl as it glided silently toward the jack — slow motion, near silence… it’s practically a form of meditation.
Three triples teams stepped onto the mat for this opening contest of 2025:
- Team Pat: Pat, David (Quy), and Carol
- Team Daron: Daron, Harps, and Cheryl
- Team Dave: Dave (Beattie), Martin, and Chloe
Each team played each other twice (once as the Red Team, once as the Yellow Team) in a round-robin full of tension, technique, and tactical twists.
After a tense opening draw between Daron and Pat’s sides, the evening took a turn toward the spectacular – with some high-scoring (and, at times, very one-sided!) matches to follow. Let’s just say the scoreboard got a solid workout.
The night also marked the return of David Beattie to the mat, his first appearance since lifting the Roy Gilbert Cup back in August 2024. And true to form, he didn’t disappoint. Leading his team to overall victory, it was a textbook winning performance from a man who knows his way around a mat!
🌀 One of the biggest talking points of the night? Dave Beattie’s bowl switch. That’s right – after years of faithful service with his trusty Henselites, Dave is starting 2025 with a bold change: Drakes Pride. Will the switch bring even more silverware? Time will tell…
🏅 Final standings:
- Winners: Team Dave
- Runners-up: Team Daron
- Everyone else: Full of laughs, drinks, and the joy of friendly competition.
With just a few weeks of Short Mat left before the outdoor season begins, now’s the perfect time to give it a go.
📍 Every Wednesday at 6pm
📞 Interested? Just get in touch — newcomers welcome!