The Sidmouth ladies continue to progress well in county and national competitions, writes Ron Cook.

Jill Bishop had a tough opponent in the 2nd round of the National Champion of Champion’s in the form of Liz Smerdon from Madeira and the Sidmouth bowler delivered the goods to claim a 21-8 victory.

In the County group A final there was further success for Jill Bishop as she paired up with Sue Mison to defeat the Ottery St Mary pairing of Kenny and Parker 22-10.

Their next challenge will be at Topsham in the semi and quarter finals. Well done to both.

In the Over-50s Ladies matches, Blue and Yellow both played Morchard Bishop teams. Blue banked four of the six points on offer with a win for Paddy Chew, Jane Painter and skip Jill Bishop (26-12), whilst Sue Mison, Paddy Wrench and skip Eileen Hewett, lost 11-18.

Yellow picked up two points thanks to success for Betty Farmer, Mary Bristow and skip Val Newnham (19-17), whilst Brenda Somerfield, Jill Lewis and skip Josephine Harrison went down 9-16).

Sidmouth men were successful in the Foxlands winning on both rinks against Ottery St Mary.

In the home leg Ray Tallent, Mike Borst, John Mason and skip Bob Seldon were 20-19 winners whilst in the away leg Brian Smith, Peter Mison, Ron Cook and skip Norman Brimson won 23-20.

This was an extraordinary match as it saw Ottery dominate the first ten ends to power into a 13-2 lead.

At 17 ends the situation looked grim for Sidmouth as they trailed 20-10.

However, the Sidmouth comeback began as they reeled off scores of seven, four, one and one to clinch a thrilling 23-20 success!

Next for the team is a June 18 engagement with Madeira.

Last but not least in the past week the Sidmouth County Trophy season got under way with Feniton the opponents. Although Sidmouth won two rinks the overall score went eight points to four in favour of Feniton.

The wining rink at home was Maurice Watson , Bert Hague, Brain Smith and skip Norman Brimson (20-18), and the successful away rink was Ray Tallent, Tony Holland, David Hughes and skip Ron Cook (23-21).