Sidmouth s Federation Croquet team made a three-strong long-haul trip to St Austell .

Sidmouth's Federation Croquet team made a three-strong long-haul trip to St Austell on a hot, sunny day to meet their Cornish hosts on beautifully prepared lawns.In the morning, Peter Hills, captain for the day, teamed up with Derek Powell in the doubles and inched home +1. Peter Miller also had a close game in the singles, but in the end lost -2. In the afternoon, Peter Hills won +10 in the battle of captains, but Derek Powell lost. This made the match score 2-2 and it was then all down to Peter Miller, who was the first to have both clips on the peg but, in his attempt to finish it off, only pegged out one of the two balls. His opponent, on rover and peg, cleverly ran rover and pegged out in the same turn to win this nailbiting game +1. Result - Cornwall 3, Sidmouth 2.l The Golf Croquet League match at Barnstaple resulted in a good 13-7 win for Sidmouth. The team of John Coombes (captain), Pam Bowra, Muriel and Tony Philpott, Margaret Piper and Anne Reece fought out some close games against strong opposition, with one game being won by a single point with an adventurous jump shot. A good day out ended with an excellent tea provided by a very welcoming host club.l The One-Day Canton Trophy competition was also held this week with 14pt games played under normal handicap conditions. Sixteen entrants ensured that an overall winner would be found after four one and a half hour games and this year it was John Coombes who came out on top. In the final two rounds he had to play with care to overcome the threat posed by opponents with a much lower handicap. A very successful week for John.