As Sidmouth’s indoor bowling season draws to a close, the serious business of the Club’s finals days contrast with the more relaxed atmosphere of the President’s Day invitation event – writes David Fairclough and Zena Johnson

The men’s finals involved many familiar names from previous years.

Tony Brown was appearing in his third championship final in the last four years. On this occasion he was to lose to Bob Seldon, by a shot score of 21-11. The margin of Bob’s win was well-earned, but rather flattering, given the number of ends won by very close measures.

Not to be outdone, Tony was back on the mat to take on John Mason in the Matchplay Singles, a difficult prospect given John’s winning of this trophy in the last two years. The game is played over two sets of eleven ends, followed by a three-end tie-breaker (if required). The match could not have been closer, as it went to the 25th end. It was won by Tony after a very close measure by umpire Val Newnham. This result compounded John’s disappointment, as he had also lost to Jill Bishop in the Turner Trophy, a mixed singles competition.

Other men’s matches were the men’s pairs and triples (Colin Bryant Cup) Competitions.

The pair’s final was won by Ron Cook and Allan Davis. The triples was won by Brian Smith, Stuart Hamer and Bob Seldon.

The Leslie Packer Cup for mixed pairs was won by Lorna Lever and Ray Tallent.

The ladies finals were kicked off with the Singles Championship - Jill Bishop playing Jean Brimson. First to 21 shots being the winner – at 20-18 to Jill, Jean was holding 2 and playing her last bowl took the jack to Jill’s bowl resulting in a 21-18 win to Jill. An excellent match to watch – well done, ladies.

Ladies pairs winners were Jenny Fricker and Lorna Lever, Friday triples winners - Jean Brimson, Mary Bristow, Paddy Chew, Rita Daw, Jackie Godbeer, Wendy Limpus, Sue Mison, and Shirley Rose. Rosemullion winner was Maureen Lamb. Joan Jeffery winners, this year played as a triples competition, was won by Jean Brimson, Mary Bristow and Zena Johnson.

Mixed Umbrella winner was Ray Tallent with Jan Jameson Bates taking the leading lady slot in fourth place.

The serious business of the finals contrasted with the relaxed atmosphere engendered by the President’s Day function. Len Catford has proved a very enthusiastic President, and together with Chairman, Peter Mison, he devised a revised format for the game, including a box target surrounding the jack. One wondered if some rather staid bowlers would have difficulty in understanding the revised rules, but most soon got the hang of it. Together with a sumptuous lunch provided by the ladies, it made for a very enjoyable day. For the record the chairman’s team won by five shots over the two sessions.