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SHORT MAT PLAYERS TOUR
SHORT MAT PLAYERS TOUR
WORLD MASTERS
WORLD MASTERS
184 bowlers from 8 countries arrived at the Belfast Indoor Bowling Club to take part in the largest
open Short Mat singles competition ever held. The players were split into 30 groups of 6, playing
on 32 mats, with everyone playing 4 out of 5 group games on the Saturday.
We started with an early surprise as former World Champion, Colum McHugh of Ireland, lost
his first 3 matches in group 25, consigning him to the Wooden Spoon competition on the final
day’s play. Dick Almen of Sweden was one of many players to cruise through their group and
progress into the Main Knockout competition on day two of the tournament. Dick won 4 out of 4
to leave him top of group 10.
Sunday morning arrived and the last session of group games started with places in the Main
Knockout still up for grabs. In group 7, three players were all vying for the top 2 places. Simon
Cavan of Ireland collected a vital 12-7 win against Bob Berriman of Cyprus to put him in a com-
manding position, but in a thrilling finish in the other 2 group games, George Crothers of Ireland
snatched a dramatic 12-11 win against Michael Collister of the Isle of Man, whilst James Trott
from England picked up a big 3 on the last end to win 9-8 against Ireland’s Nicholas Garvey.
This saw James and George through on shot difference with Simon unlucky to end up in
third place. With the group stages complete attention turned to the three tier knockouts. This con-
sisted of the Main, for group winners and runners up, the Plate for the third and fourth placed play-
ers and the Wooden Spoon for the players finishing fifth and sixth. Also, this stage saw the
introduction of the top four players in the world rankings, as they entered the Main Knockout hoping
to gain enough points to finish World No. 1 and Order of Merit Champion.
It would however prove to be a tough morning for these players. In the last 64, joint No. 1
Joel Hager of Sweden lost heavily to inform player Michael Hand of Ireland 13-2. Also going out
at this stage was World No. 4 Jal Richardson of Ireland. He lost on a tie break to compatriot Lee
Jacob, in what was a fantastic match. A further seven matches at this stage were decided by a
single shot, emphasising what a hard fought competition this was.
In the last 32, the two remaining top four players succumbed to defeat, with UK Open Cham-
pion Mark Beattie of Ireland losing to compatriot Thomas Cannavan 11-5 and Dominic Reed of
England losing to Gerry McCabe of Ireland 10-9. This meant that places at the top of the world
rankings remained unchanged and Joel Hager and Mark Beattie were crowned Order of Merit
Champions.
Going into the latter stages the Irish dominance was starting to show on home soil. The only
overseas player left at this stage was Sweden’s Dick Almen and after beating Irish star John Quinn
on a thrilling tie break, he eventually lost in the quarter finals to Cecil Dillon 9-4. The other quarter
finals saw victories for seasoned internationals Raymond Stubbs over Michael Hand, Kevin Con-
roy over Leigh Harrison and Alan Paul over PJ McCrossan.