Rubber Match ?

Where did the phrase Rubber Match for playing the tie-breaking game. ie: 2 out of 3 games, 1 game each... now we play the "Rubber Match"

I don't know but am in good company as the OED doesn't know either. They say:

ORIGIN C16: of unknown origin; early use was as a term in bowls.

Is a 'rubber' of bridge related, ie, a three part game?