Sidmouth Bowls Club is celebrating the fact that they now have both a ladies’ and a men’s team into national competition area finals, writes Carol Smith.

A team of four Sidmouth men went off to Torbay to play their semi-final of the National Over-60s rink.

It turned out to be a very close game and, after eight ends, the score was seven-all.

Gradually Sidmouth built up a small lead and they managed to maintain it through to the conclusion of a compelling contest, eventually winning by 17 shots to 14.

So, it’s a case of very well done, Bill Sheerman, John Mason, Ken Wheeler and skip Chris Nappin. They - like the ladies - will now play the final on a neutral green. So, watch this space for news of the ‘when’ and ‘where’.

In other bowls news, on Sunday afternoon off we went to Honiton to contest the semi-final tie of the Ladies Devon Topclub. We knew we were up against very strong opposition from Plymouth, but we have been playing well so thought we were in with a chance.

However, it wasn’t to be as Plymouth won on four out of the five disciplines. Our only winning team was that of Mary Turner, Anita Mason, Wendy Limpus and skip Zena Johnson, and so, a very well done, to them.

Plymouth bowlers play out of the Life Centre and, as it is the only indoor bowls venue in Plymouth and they enjoy a far greater membership than we have at Sidmouth, all things considered, we didn’t do too bad!

On Sunday afternoon we played a mixed friendly against Feniton.

Although Feniton do not have indoor facilities, several of their number play at Honiton or even Isca in the winter.

Even so, Sidmouth had a brilliant win overall with a massive score of 84 shots to 36!

The top Sidmouth rink was the one of Pat Hague, Connie Toolley, Bert Hague and skip and captain of the day, Ed Backhouse.

Well done, one and all, and after the game we all, of course, gathered together for a good chat and a drink from the bar!