Sidmouth entertained Barnstaple in a South West Federation Golf Croquet League encounter, writes David Butler

The Sidmouth team got off to a slow start losing the first four games which were two doubles and two singles.

Improvement was shown across the next four with Sidmouth winning three leaving the overall score 5-3 in favour of the visitors.

By lunchtime the score was six-all as Sidmouth won three of the four singles before the interval.

A post luncheon run of wins saw Sidmouth into a 9-7 overall advantage.

However, Sidmouth managed only to win one game of the last three and that left the match ending all square 1t 10-all. It was Ann Ratcliffe who won her final game to ensure that Sidmouth were not beaten on the day!

The final score does not reflect the closeness of many of the games, and the excellent play on both sides. Many of the games were closely fought and were decided by the last ball. All agreed that after a good day of croquet, it was a very civilised and friendly way to finish. Three Sidmouth players won two singles each; Margaret Piper, Anne Reece and Paul Bradley.

Another home game was contested against Cornwall Porthpean and this was certainly not close!

On this occasion the home team got off to a flying start winning seven of the opening matches with the other one drawn!

The next four matches produced three home wins to leave Sidmouth comfortably ahead with an unassailable ten-and-a-half to one-and-a-half lead.

Then the forecasted rain arrived and, during the afternoon session the elements took charge with wet and windy weather testing both sets of players’ resolve!

Croquet players are a resilient lot and battle don throughout with Sidmouth staying in charge to ultimately complete a 17-3 victory.

Philip Harris, who won all five of the games he played, was deservedly named the Man of the Match.

Paul Bradley also did well – he won four games and both Margaret Piper and John Maynard completed their days work with three wins and a draw.

Six games into their league campaign the Sidmouth team has now won three, drawn one and lost two.