It was a week for Sidmouth bowlers when the contrasting results seen between the men’s league and cup matches, and the mixed friendly fixtures has never been more evident, writes David Fairclough.

The men’s matches were an Over-60s league match against Plymouth, and a ‘Top Club’ Cup fixture against Torbay.

The Plymouth match was played on the usual basis of two rinks at home and two in Plymouth. Sidmouth lost on all four rinks. The crumb of comfort was that two rinks lost by margins of only three and four shots.

The ‘Top Club’ fixture was played over five disciplines, 2-wood singles, pairs and full rink at Torbay, and 4-wood singles and triples in Sidmouth. We were again disappointed to lose on all five disciplines, albeit against a very strong club.

Our hearts were lifted, however, with the assistance of lady members, by winning both of the week’s mixed friendlies.

Firstly, we received Ottery St Mary Club to Sidmouth. The aggregate score, in Sidmouth’s favour, was 56-47. The best rink was skipped by Jane Painter, supported by Maurice Watson, Ken Day and Jean Green. Their shot score was 26-8.

On Sunday, we took three mixed rinks to Madeira Club at Exmouth. The aggregate result was a twenty shot margin in Sidmouth’s favour at 64-44.

The best Sidmouth rink was skipped by David Fairclough, ably supported by Gordon Brown, Anita Mason and Zena Johnson. Their rink’s shot score was 26-13.

This was welcome revenge, reversing a two shot aggregate loss experienced by a men’s fixture at the same venue earlier in the season.

Thanks are due to the ladies in helping to ease the pain experienced in the men’s fixtures this week.