‘End of season blues’ for Sidmouth bowlers in run of friendly fixture losses

Sidmouth ladies with their friends - and rivals - from Madeira in one of the final meetings of the 2018 outdoor season. Picture CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

A four mixed rink friendly with Feniton was not the club’s best day! Sidmouth were beaten on three of the rinks and the one rink that kept the flag flying was the one of Bob Underhill, Jon Howard, Chas Coates and skip Susie Bonnell, who won 20-14.

The next match was against good friends and neighbours Madeira of Exmouth. It was played in a very friendly spirit, although the scores were not very friendly!

On a very blustery and damp afternoon, but not with actual rain falling, Sidmouth won handsomely on all three rinks and the final score was one of Sidmouth 66, Madeira 33.

The top Sidmouth rink was the one of Chrissie Leedham, Jean Brimson and skip Ann Capon, who recorded a resounding 35-6 win.

The final friendly match of the outdoor season was at home against Paignton-based Marldon Mapleleaf and, perhaps it is something to do with ‘end-of-campaign blues’, but once again Sidmouth ended up on the end of a rather heavy reversal!

We could blame the weather as it was a very cool, blustery and damp – again, all conditions that, fortunately, we have not had to suffer much at all during the 2018 outdoor campaign!

However, it might be more prudent – and honest – to simply say it was what it was: we were simply out bowled!

What was clear was that, understandable given the conditions, both sets of players were very pleased at the finish to retreat to the warmth of the clubhouse and have a drink and chat.

The total score over the six rinks was Sidmouth 84, Marldon 122.

The lone home success was the one of Jon Howard, Joan Monagham, Chas Coates and skip Jill Bishop, who won 22-11.