Sidmouth Bowls Club started the week by hosting a match against Devon County Ladies, writes Carol Smith, playing two full rinks against players from Madeira and Honiton. 

Sidmouth won on one rink, as did the County. Our winning rink was Mary Turner, Anita Mason, Brenda Somerfield and skip Jill Bishop, 20 - 18. Sadly, our second rink lost, so an overall win for the County of 42 to Sidmouth’s 32.

After winning their first round of the County Pairs away to a Maderia, Sidmouth pair Brenda Somerfield and Jill Bishop played their second round, this time at home to yet another Madeira pair.

After a poor start, we were lagging behind, 11 - 2. However, this is a 21-end game, so lots of time to recover and, at 15 ends, the score was 14 all, then at 18 ends, 17 all. On the 19th end, Sidmouth were holding, but the opposition skip took the jack to four of her woods, then drew another two, so we were six shots down.

Jill failed to cut it down with her first two woods but with her third, she managed to weave her way through all the opposing woods to get the shot. On the penultimate end, Sidmouth scored another shot, so now leading 19 - 17 going into the final end.

The Madeira ladies scored two shots to force an extra end but a brilliant shot from Jill secured a 20 – 19 victory for the Sidmouth team.

Finally, a mixed friendly against a team from Axminster proved to be a good friendly afternoon. At tea-time, the score was very close with Axminster leading by 24 shots to Sidmouth’s 22. At the final 18 ends, Axminster were the victors scoring 52 to Sidmouth’s 43.

We had one rink that won 17 - 10 and they were Brian Deam, Ron Peppin and skip Sue Turner. We also had a rink that just lost by one shot and our third rink, well, best not to mention!

Happy Christmas to you all from Sidmouth Bowls Club.