Sidmouth had three friendly games this week, the first being against Exonia, who fielded a mixed team of four mixed rinks, writes Ron Cook.

The matches were very close with the honours going to Exonia 60- 66. Best rinks for Sidmouth were Marie Timms, Alex Bent and Brian Barber 21-14; Des Bridgeman, Sheila Burnand and Eileen Hewett 15-13.

A men’s team played Madeira in a triples match which by tradition is played over 21 ends, and is always very competitive in a friendly manner.

The scores were three rinks each with Madeira being the overall winner by 123-101 shots. Winning rinks for Sidmouth were: Des Bridgeman, Bert Hague and John Mason 25-14; John Greenaway, David Fairclough and skip Cliff Hewett 15-10; Ray Tallent, Ron Denning and skip Frank Adlam 25-13.

Sidmouth’s third friendly match was at home against Ottery St Mary on Sunday playing four mixed rinks with Sidmouth winning all four by 93-49. Best rink was Ken Bridgman, Michael Hunt, Sheila Burnand and skip David Ingyon 29-14; Ray Tallent, Brian Knight, John Greenaway and skip Val Newnham 24-10. This was a good result for Knight, playing in his first match for Sidmouth. Dennis Moore, Elaine Reed , Bert Hague and skip Jane Painter 24-11; Ralph Brooks, Catherine Hunt, David Butler and skip Margaret King 18-14.

In the Exeter Over-60s league, Sidmouth’s A squad had a nail-biting win against Culm Vale by one shot. Tony Holland, Brian Smith and skip Bob Seldon were level at five ends, fell behind and trailed their opponents all the way to the final end where they scored a three to win by one shot.

Ray Tallent, Bob Daniels and skip Ron Cook had been down from the first end and seven down after three. After a strong response the game was levelled at 16 ends with Sidmouth going into the final end one up. Culm Vale needed a two to halve the match but were held to a single shot for a drawn game which gave Sidmouth seven points.

The B squad had a very good win against Exonia B, also scoring seven points, unfortunately not enough to move them off the bottom of the league table but it does keep them in contention. The C squad had a more difficult match against Tiverton Borough losing on both rinks.

The best performance in the week was saved for the semi final of section three Top Club beating Phear Park at home by four rinks to one. A great result for the Club..

Results were; fours Tony Holland, Brian Smith, Bob Daniels and skip Norman Brimson 19-8; Triples Ken Bridgman, John Mason and skip Bob Seldon 31-5; Pairs Ray Tallent and David Hughes 13-26; Four Wood singles Ron Cook 21-8 and Two Wood singles Ivan Robins 16-10. Sidmouth play Seaton away in the final on August 2. Well done to all Sidmouth players.

The first round of Men’s Pairs was played on Saturday with wins for John Mason and Mike Daw 18-17; Trevor A Pritchard and Chas Coates 27-8; Bob Seldon and Maurice Watson 22-11; Brian Smith and Ron Denning 24-15.