Sidmouth's Emerton Court team have made it through to the quarter finals. Having beaten Dainton Park at home the previous week with a third straight 4.5 to a half home win, a single point away was needed.
Everything started well with all Sidmouth teams ahead at the hallway point, but home form began to tell and Dainton clawed things back, winning the first three matches. They took the fourth as well on the 17, so things were looking bad.
Hugh Dorliac and Paul Renken had gone out last and, having heard earlier that everything in the garden seemed rosy for their team, felt no pressure and played a relaxed game, closing out on 16 with a win, a vital win as it turned out!
Next stop is Exeter in the quarter finals with the first leg at home.
Sidmouth Seniors entertained Exminster Seniors on a beautiful sunny day last Thursday. Unfortunately, the Exminster Captain had to cry off at the last minute, so Brian Rice, Sidmouth Captain for the day, and his partner, Chris Grubb, had the advantage of only having to play against one opponent.
They used this advantage well and after a slow start, losing the 1st hole, were back on terms after 3 and from the 5th won seven holes in a row to win their match comfortably.
David Cowler and Les Pratt were out second and got off to a flying start and only lost one hole in the entire match, winning by 6 and 5 on the 13th with David Cowler doing most of the damage.
Ray Gunston and David Bromage had a closer match, especially on the front 9, but pushed forward on the back nine, eventually winning 4 and 2.
Steve Nunn and Bernie Millward were always ahead in their match and won comfortably on the 14th, 5 and 4. Mike Davis and Charles Brown came from being behind early on to end up winning 4 and 2 on the 16th hole.
Alas, a clean sweep wasn’t forthcoming, as Richard Seaver and Vernon Ruffle came up against two strong opponents and lost 4 and 3 on the 15th. Sidmouth will take a 5–1 lead into the return match later in the summer.
Last week's Upper Crust Bakery Monday stableford saw Steve Crabb take the honours with a solid 42 points from Matt Cooke in second on 41 and Lewis Perry with 40 points. Steve will be playing off 10 next time out.
In the Sidmouth Jewellers Friday stableford, club captain Jonathan Lee showed his form with 40 points to win over Stuart Coles and David Burgess both on 39.
Fresh from his team's triumph against Tavistock on Sunday in the Palairet Cup, Phil Grover took the honours in this week's Upper Crust Monday Stableford with a magnificent score of 43 which included an eagle and two birdies. Second placed and fellow Palairet player Graham Davies posted a 39 ahead of Bob Reynolds on 38.