Cook and Tallent in Madeira Pairs final

Sidmouth bowlers have suffered badly in the last two weeks with cancelled matches due to the wet conditions we are encountering this summer, writes Ron Cook.

Budleigh Salterton, Dunkeswell, Tiverton Borough and two matches with Honiton were lost. The match against Lyme Regis was stopped at 10 ends and even a trip to Salisbury was not spared being stopped after 12 ends.

When Sidmouth finally had a good day for visitors from New Malden, the home side played to a very high standard winning six out of seven rinks with one draw for a total 154-103 score.

Best rink for Sidmouth was led by Jane Painter supported by Rita Daw, Jason Quinn and Sheila Burnand 35-17. Well done to all our players.

The following week the match with Dawlish Marina was reduced to five triples with Sidmouth again the winners by 93-76 shots. Derek Limpus led a good rink with Ron Denning and John Chew scoring 30-7.

In the over-60s league, Sidmouth’s A squad had a superb win against Topsham A taking a full eight points for the second time this season. The following week, Sidmouth managed to scramble two points against Marina A who are coming back strongly after a poor start to the season. The B squad also scored two points in both their matches.

Last week Madeira held their annual tournament in which a number of our members entered singles and team events with varying success. Ron Cook and Ray Tallent progressed to the final of the men’s pairs, finishing second after a tough game against two young international-standard players from Leicester.