Sidmouth Bowls Club have progressed to the semi-finals of the County Trophy after a brilliant win over local rivals Madeira.

The format was two home and two away rinks played simultaneously, and a superb win which now puts them into the last four of the competition. All the players contributed towards this great victory, Sidmouth 85 Madeira 60. 

The away rink of Wilf Radburn, David Butler, John Mason and skip Mick Cox performed brilliantly with a magnificent score of 29 – 9, while the home rink of Andrew Lowe, Phil Meadows, Paul Irvine and skip Ken Wheeler triumphed 32 - 9.

It was no mean feat against some of Madeira 's finest. The semi-final will be played against Isca on Saturday, February 25.

Andrew Lowe, Mick Cox, John Mason and skip Ken Wheeler went off to Isca in Exeter to play in the National Over 60's Rinks Competition. Although it was really cold (no heating), the Sidmouth men were having a great game, the score after 11 ends being 15 - 4 in their favour. However, Isca gradually pulled back and they went into the final 18th end level at 15 all. 

National competitions are different to Devon events, where both pairs and 4's play 18 ends and Devon County still play 21 ends. Sidmouth were holding shot for the game but the opposition skip, with his final wood, had a run into the head and removed our shot. Ken had the final wood but unfortunately missed for a 16-17 defeat.

Then, Andrew and Ken went back to Isca to play their third game, which was the Area quarter final of the National Over 60's Pairs. In the early part of the match, they struggled on the notoriously difficult rink 7 and anyone that has played on 7 will understand just how tricky it can be.

At the halfway mark, they were 12 - 2 down. Gradually clawing their way back, with just two ends to go, Sidmouth were leading 18 - 14.  On the penultimate end, the opposition took the jack for three shots, so just one shot between them going into the final end.

When skip Ken went to bowl, he was one shot down. The shot was level with the jack and Sidmouth's second wood just behind. Ken tried for the shot, caught the jack, which hit our second wood, sprung forward and gave two shots to Isca. Devastating for Andrew and Ken to get so far and lose two important games by just one shot. Final score: Isca 18 Sidmouth 17.  

Now to the Ladies, and the Sidmouth team of Carol Timms, Mary Turner, Chrissie Leedham and skip Sue Turner travelled to Honiton to play the Section A final of the County 4's. This was played against some formidable Madeira ladies on the neutral green.

Sidmouth ladies put up a good fight, scoring a brilliant five shots on one end. Unfortunately for us, Madeira proved too strong on the day, winning 27 - 16.

It has been a very busy week for the Sidmouth bowlers, with a couple of friendlies also to report.  The first was a home mixed match against our neighbours Honiton.  Three full rinks were played and at the finish, Sidmouth won on just one rink and overall lost 36 - 46. Our winning rink was Pat Hague, Derek Mounford, Christine Ward and skip Cedron Caine, who won 15 - 12.

Then, two men’s triples made the trip away to Budleigh and a very strange result, with both rinks scoring equally. However, the trio of Ron Clint, Clive Brook and skip Mick Cox won 10 of the 18 ends, whereas our second rink only won 7 of the 18. That said, they both lost 11-12, so an overall score of Sidmouth 22 Budleigh 24. Obviously, a very close friendly afternoon.