It was another busy week for all concerned at Sidmouth Bowling Club last week, write Sue and Peter Mison.

The first of the action was a men’s match with Sidmouth entertaining a trio of teams representing the Vice President’s Association.

It turned out to be a most friendly, but competitive affair that ended with Sidmouth winning on all three rinks and by 58 shots to 42 overall.

The best performing home rink was that of Wilf Radburn, John Brown, Chas Coates and skip Ed Backhouse who won 24-13.

Sidmouth ladies took two rinks to Budleigh Salterton on Wednesday afternoon for a friendly match. After a very enjoyable match it was Sidmouth won emerged victorious winning on both rinks and by an overall score of 50 shots to 41.

The top performing Sidmouth rink was that of Elaine Reed, Jackie Godbeer, Beryl Sparkes and skip Jane Painter who won 29-21.

Also on Wednesday afternoon the annual men’s’ captain versus men’s vice-captain’s match was contested.

The afternoon proved to be thoroughly enjoyable on all counts There were two session of action with play at 1.30 and 4.30 and also a delicious tea that was enjoyed by not only the players, but also by invited guests Trevor Ashton-Pritchard, Cliff Hewett, Ken Hutton and Richard Stubbs, all of whom having made significant contributions to Sidmouth club life over the years.

The first session was won by the vice-captain’s side with the best rink being Alex Bent, Ian Dudley, Tony Holland and skip John Mason who won by 18 shots to 9 playing for the vice-captain.

The best of the captain’s team rinks was the one of Bill Turner, Peter Mison and skip Dennis Denner who won by 12 shots to 8. At the halfway stage there was a nine shot difference between the two sides.

The second session ended in a draw with the captain’s side winning on one rink by ten shots and the vice-captain’s side winning on the other, also by ten shots.

The vice-captain’s team of Ken Bridgeman, Ken Tolley and skip Bob Daniels took the prize for best rink on the basis that they won twelve of the eighteen ends whereas the captain’s winning team of Maurice Watson, Derek Mountford and skip Ed Backhouse won eleven. The overall score for the day was 62 shots to the captain and 71 shots to the vice-captain.

This left the captain congratulating the vice captain on his success - through gritted teeth!

On Saturday four mixed rinks from Sidmouth travelled to near neighbours Honiton for a friendly match. Although Honiton won overall by 75 shots to 63, both teams won two rinks apiece. The bets of the Sidmouth rinks was the one of Susie Bonnell, Dave Lever, Jean Green and skip Ron Cook who won by 23 shots to 14.

On Wednesday afternoon Madeira brought three mixed rinks to Sidmouth for a friendly match. A good game was enjoyed by all with Madeira winning on two rinks and by 71 shots to 56. The Sidmouth winning rink comprised Sue Mison, Garry Hargrave, Zena Johnson and skip Norman Brimson who won by 27 shots to 22.