In the Club Open Championship at Sidmouth Bowls Club, it was great to see some newer members entering, writes Carol Smith. Very well done to Lynn Flavell, Keith Pollitt and Scott Archer. 

Last year’s Champion Brian Smith, although having a close game against John Chew, lost the first round 18 -21. Well done to John and commiserations to Brian who this year enjoyed a milestone birthday! 

Our Ladies Championship , sadly this year, had very few entries, so is already down to the semi-final: Jill Bishop v Brenda Somerfield and Carol Timms or Sue Turner v Jane Painter.   

The Men’s Championship, with many more entries, is now down to the quarter finals: John Chew v John Mason, Ken Wheeler v Roger Stewart, Scott Archer v John Squire and Andrew Lowe v Allan Davis. 

The Nominated Mixed Pairs this year is a knockout competition. Brenda Somerfield and Brian Deam, having won through the first two rounds and will play Mary Turner and Alun Brown, who have also won two rounds.

Our two Novice Singles competitions, for Ladies, The Nina Cup, and for Men, The Sid Hawkins Trophy, are especially for those that have not won a singles competition, giving everyone a chance. It's good to see lots of entries in both of these.

Ladies 3 Wood semi-final: Jill Bishop v Mary Turner, Joan Crook v Karen Hollingdale.
Ladies Handicap semi-final: Brenda Somerfield v Sue Turner, Chris Radburn  v Carol Timms.
Ladies Pairs semi-final: Anita Mason and Barbara Donaldson v Sue Turner and Wendy Cox, Zena Johnson and Karen Hollingdale v Brenda Somerfield and Nikki Stenning.
Men’s Handicap quarter-final: Malcolm Smith v Martin Jenkins, Ken Wheeler v Allan Davis, John Chew v Scott Archer, Keith Pollitt v Mick Cox. 

Sidmouth BC played a four-rink mixed away game to Ottery St Mary but succumbed to a defeat at their local rivals. However, the rink of Christine Ward, David Parsons, Ron Peppin and skip Jill Bishop, on the penultimate end were level at 11 all, before losing by just one shot. Final score: Sidmouth 48 Ottery 62.