After a trip to Cornwall the previous week, last week began with a trip in the opposite direction, to Dorset, writes David Fairclough.

Four mixed rinks travelled to Bridport to play a friendly fixture and such was the hospitality afforded by the hosts on and off the rink, it all resulted in a late return to Sidmouth!

The visitors were successful on all four rinks, and by an aggregate score of 113-51. Although all made a contribution to this outcome, there was little doubt that ‘lady luck’ favoured Sidmouth!

The best rink, by a shot score of 34-4 was skipped by John Mason, supported by Dave Lever, Mary Turner and Gordon Brown.

The good form continued in a midweek friendly at home to Tiverton-based Mid Devon.

Sidmouth won on two of the three rinks, and by an aggregate score of 57-49. The best rink, by a shot score of 24-18, was skipped by Susie Bonnell, supported by Maurice Watson, Mike Daw and Evelyn Clements.

Mid Devon were again the opponents at the weekend, by way of a men’s Interclub League match, with two rinks played in Sidmouth and two in Tiverton.

Sidmouth had hoped to carry forward the good form seen midweek, but there were heavy losses on the away rinks. However, the home rinks fared much better, winning on one of the rinks to ensure the banking of two points.

The winning rink, by 19-17, was skipped by Ron Cook, supported by Ray Tallent, Bill Sheerman and John Mason.

Also at the weekend, Sidmouth entertained South Dorset Bowling Association who hail from the Dorchester area.

The aggregate shot score was a narrow 58-55 loss with the winning Sidmouth rink skipped by Ed Backhouse, including Ray Tallent, Christa Turner and Catherine Hunt and they won 26-8.