Sidmouth men enjoyed a superb success when they entertained Madeira for an evening encounter, writes Susie Bonnell.

The Exmouth-based outfit are the largest in club in Devon and certainly the strongest team in East Devon.

Their strength in depth was such that they had entered two teams in this ‘national two fours’ competition plus their strongest team had been further enhanced by the addition of three players with England credentials to play at Sidmouth.

The Sidmouth rink of Ray Tallent, Ken Robertson, Brian Smith and skipped by Chris Nappin started things off, generating a small lead which they held throughout the game, despite outstanding play by the opposition skip and the Sidmouth team finally ran out winners by five shots.

However, the other rink of Bill Sheerman, Ken Wheeler, John Mason and skip Mike Borst also witnessed some outstanding bowling from the opposition skip which found them 15-1 down after just eight ends.

Nevertheless, digging deep, they kept their concentration and gradually pegged back the lead to get back to within one shot after 14 ends.

With the other rink having completed Sidmouth entered the last end four shots behind.

Madeira now knew they required two shots to win the match and one shot would have required an extra end to decide the result.

The Madeira skip, with one bowl left to play, found himself four shots down! He drew third wood giving Sidmouth a magnificent win overall by three shots.

What a performance, by all concerned. This ensures the teams place in the next round of the competition when they will face Topsham.

Thank goodness us bowling folk are made of hardy stuff - an easterly wind blew in to town and it was back on with the thermals on Saturday morning, although it did warm up somewhat for a friendly match with our neighbours from Ottery. Sidmouth were out bowled by Ottery on the day - losing on three of the five rinks - with a final aggregate score of 80-66.

Sidmouth did excel on one rink though - with skip, Ron Cook, and his team, Mary Smith, Chris Radburn and Barry Curwen winning 20-8.

With another busy day on Sunday, Sidmouth hosted a mixed friendly match with Dunkeswell. With three rinks playing, we all shared a great afternoon of bowls. Sidmouth did win on all three rinks, with skip Jane Painter and her team, Mick Cox, Elaine Reed and Stewart Thomson getting the top score of the day - 33-3 - but the real winner was bowls - with everyone thoroughly enjoying the game.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse in time for the men’s Climo competition which was played on Monday in squally rain - followed in the afternoon by a couple of ladies’ County games, played in even more wintry conditions and, on Tuesday, a ladies league game away to Budleigh was called off due to rain. Yes - summer must nearly be here!