Tuesday was ladies’ Captain’s Day at Sidmouth Bowls Club, when traditionally three rinks play in the morning, Captain against Vice Captain, and three more play in the afternoon, write Sue and Peter Mison.

Nearly sixty people sat down to a lunch prepared by the Ladies’ Captain and her committee to which past members are also invited and it is always good to see them. The club president, Len Catford, was invited and he presented captain Sue Mison and vice captain Marian Watson with a beautiful Poinsettia plant each.

The winning rink of the morning was the captain’s rink of Pat Ashton Pritchard, Margot Beauchamp, Adelina Constable and Sheila Lewis by 26 -8, and the winning rink of the afternoon was again the captain’s rink of Sue Mison, Betty Farmer, Jean Green and Dreda Taylor by 27-4. The total scores for the day resulted in a resounding win for the captain’s teams by 127-72. On Wednesday, the Lane team played Madeira, winning four points out of a possible ten. Congratulations must go to the home team of Betty Farmer, Mary Price, Sue Miller and Margaret King who played well and won by 25-12. Overall, Sidmouth won by 68 shots to 67.

On Sunday morning, Pat Ashton Pritchard, Pat Harvie and Jill Bishop played the first round of their County Triples against a team from Honiton, winning by 26-15. On Sunday afternoon a mixed team from Ottery St Mary were Sidmouth’s guests, winning on two rinks and by 66-63. Well done to the winning rink of Pat Hague, Ken Day, Adelina Constable and Ronnie Cook with a score of 33-15.

On Saturday morning, the men played another game in the Interclub League, this time against Dawlish, winning on one rink at home and one rink away. Well done to the home rink of Ray Tallent, Mike Reader, Stuart Hamer and Ronnie Cook who won by 10 shots, and the away rink of John Chew, Peter Mison, Bob Daniels and John Mason who won by 13 shots. Unfortunately, Sidmouth lost overall by 15 shots.

Sidmouth Bowls Club held its Christmas social in the afternoon which was very well attended. There were plenty of sideshows on ‘a penny a go’ basis including darts, quoits, shove ha’penny, target golf and others, a quiz, carol singing, entertainment and a raffle, together with mulled wine, mince pies, drinks and nibbles.

Congratulations to Chris Hamer and her entertainments committee who had worked very hard to make the afternoon so enjoyable and such a great success.

Last Wednesday, the Men’s Over-60s teams played against Padbrook Park, two rinks away, two at home, with Sidmouth winning by three rinks to one and winning the overall match on shot difference. This was Sidmouth’s first match win in the Over-60s league.

Last Thursday, Sidmouth played Honiton in the Foxlands Trophy. Honiton have built up a strong Foxlands team over the last few years and Sidmouth were beaten on both rinks away, and one at home but the other home team of Jean Brimson, Beryl Sparkes, Evelyn Clements and Eileen Hewett did well to draw their match.

On the Friday, Paddy Chew and Shirley Rose went to Madeira to play the first round of their County Pairs and played an excellent game winning by 23- 6.