Well, I guess it will come as no surprise that this report will centre around the weather!, writes Susie Bonnell.
After a very promising start with our Opening Drive last week, it’s all been downhill since then.
On Tuesday, it was the first of Sidmouth Bowling Club’s Mixed Umbrella meetings – a very popular club game where new and old bowlers can meet up for a good, friendly competitive match.
There was a great turnout of members who started off eagerly, but who were grateful for a warm clubhouse and sanctuary from the very cold weather at the end.
In the meantime, Sidmouth ladies travelled to Honiton for their first friendly match of the season against their friends and neighbours. It was very, very cold! There was a most welcome break half way for tea, biscuits and buttered fruit bread.
As we think that bowling in this cold weather must surely be burning off more calories, the fruit bread was devoured!
The refreshments didn’t change the overall outcome, though, with a win on all three rinks for Honiton. Next on the calendar was another ladies’ match - this time on Friday, at Madeira Bowls Club in Exmouth.
Sadly, rain stopped play – even before the game had begun!
The men’s home match against Chardstock was also rained off.
Monday saw our first touring side pitch up – the Borough of Eye – to join us for an afternoon of bowls. With a cold and breezy start, we were just grateful we weren’t rained off! However, as the afternoon played on, the sun came out and a great time was had by all. It would seem that our tourists brought the sunshine with them. They also brought some very good bowlers who managed to win on four of the six rinks. Sidmouth’s best rink of the day was led by skip John Mason, with his team of Karen Hollingdale, Mike Daw and Ann Capon. Into May and the first day of the month – but still no sign of spring having sprung as the ladies’ Over-50s league Yellows team travelled to Okehampton Bowling Club (or Soakhampton as it’s fondly known to locals!) to contest the opening game of a new league campaign.
It was unseasonably cold and rather wet – but, Sidmouth ladies prevailed and fought a hard match to win on both rinks, gaining the full six points, making the long journey very worthwhile! It was first time out to play in this league for Carol Timms, who had a great game, ably assisted by teammate Linda Dommett and skip Valerie Newnham. The highest scoring team was that of skip Susie Bonnell,with Karen Hollingdale and Anita Mason.
There’s a busy time ahead for bowlers so let’s hope the sun will come out to play sooner rather than later.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here