The annual Rolling Pin match between the ladies and the gentlemen at Sidmouth was played last Sunday, writes George Carr.

This contest, eagerly awaited by both sets of players, proved a nail-biter right to the end of proceedings.

Ten four-ball matches had to dodge the showers early on, but the weather settled down as the heat of battle engulfed all involved!

With four matches completed, much to the alarm of the gentlemen’s captain John Rockey, the ladies had taken a 3-1 lead which included a drubbing handed out by Sheila Thomson and Yvonne Anning to their respective partners Neil Faulkener (Fred The Bread) and Donald Cooper by a margin to cruel to mention (five-and-four).

The two captains halved their match whilst Malcolm and Anne Willoughby had diplomatically done the same; all of which left the gentlemen’s captain peering anxiously through the clubhouse window at the 18th green as the remaining matches were completed.

It was a close run thing to be sure, and, when the men finally squeaked home by five and a half matches to four and a half it was a great relief to captain John Rockey and a bitter disappointment no doubt to the ladies’ captain Ros Eaton, whose gracious acceptance of defeat was an example to all!

John Rockey continued to mop his brow throughout the tea that followed and the ritual presentation of the outsize rolling pin suitably beribboned - just wait till next year!