The new season is fast approaching and on Saturday, the annual JH Taylor putter competition was held, writes John Barnard.

The format is match play and the East Devonian Club members challenge the Rest of the World Club members (there is life outside East Devon).

Over the years, the East Devonians have tended to have the upper hand, perhaps as they have grown up playing the course. Fourteen matches were played, each match featuring fierce competition between two players from each team.

The scores were level at 1-1 after the first two matches.

Club chairman Paul Lewis’s team were well beaten in the first game three-and-two (three holes up with two to play). In the second game, Steve Crabbe had three twos on the par threes and won two-and-one.

The next game featured the two captains, Lester Willmington leading the East Devonians, playing with Bob Webber and club captain John Barnard leading the ROW.

Three players played extremely well (we won’t name the fourth). Lester had two ‘twos, and gelled very well with Bob as they sealed a convincing four-and-three success.

The ladies did there bit for the East Devonians, returning two wins from their matches so it looked grim for the ROW team!

Suddenly, the ROW came back, as matches seven, eight and nine were all won to put them into a 5-4 overall lead!

However, East Devon won the next two matches and they secured victory when Dave Hoare and Bob Welsman halved their match.

I don’t know whether Dave missed an important putt, but after the match was completed, Bob went back to his car and reversed over Dave’s electric trolley!

The final score was seven-and-a-half to six-and-a-half in favour of the East Devonians.