Last Friday, 10 players and six supporters took off in a mini-bus to North Devon to play Barnstaple in the third round of the National Top Club competition, writes Carol Smith.

On what was clearly the hottest day of the year so far, it’s a wonder that no one ended up with sunstroke being outside in such blazing heat.

Despite the afore mentioned heat, it did not deter a team and support comprising mostly of folk in their 60s, 70s and 80s, for they are all used to playing outdoors, come rain or shine!

Jane Painter, playing the singles, was the first to finish and what a good finish it was!

Jane was holding two shots for the game (she only needed one) when her opponent took the jack into the ditch – but, on a very fast green, Jane drew her winning shot. This thrilling success gave the whole team such a lift! Next up, in the pairs, Susie Bonnell and Jill Bishop led from the first wood to secure a good win.

In the triples, Jean Brimson, Lynda Dommett and Zena Johnson were involved in a real ‘nip-and-tuck’ contest until, over the last few ends, they powered their way to a fine victory. The team are now through to the Area Four semi-finals. Area Four includes teams from Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall and they will now meet Kings at Sidmouth this coming Sunday (July 8) with play getting underway at 10am.

In The Burma Star Mixed County Triples played at Feniton, the Sidmouth trio of Sandra Wheeler, Ken Wheeler and Chris Nappin played the final round for section three, group B, and lost to yet another Madeira team by just four shots. So near, yet so far! Commiserations to the beaten trio, but well done, for getting as far as you did!

Sidmouth ladies Over-50s Blue team were in fine form for their visit to Budleigh, a contest that saw them win on both rinks to bank the maximum six points.

Well done, to Jean Brimson, Eileen Hewett and skip Jane Painter (27-17) and also Janice Quinn, Ann Capon and skip Zena Johnson (18-12).

The Blues followed that up with another great win against Pinces Gardens from Exeter, once again banking all six points thanks to success for Janet Thomson, Ann Capon and skip Jane Painter (34-5) and Jean Brimson, Zena Johnson and Skip Jill Bishop (23-15). Great scores ladies!

In the County Mixed Pairs, two Sidmouth teams have reached the section three group A semi-finals and will now play each other so the club will defiantly have one team gracing the final. The other Sidmouth team comprises; Sandra and Ken Wheeler and Ray Tallent and Jill Bishop.

The Tuesday evening County Trophy fixture this week was the penultimate game of the campaign in that particular competition. In the meeting with Feniton, one home team won, but unfortunately, all three others lost and so the team collects just two points. The successful team was the one of Ray Tallent, John Chew, John Mason and skip Bob Seldon, 24-18.

On Monday evening, three Sidmouth ladies went off to Exonia BC in Exeter to play in the last 16 of the County Triples.

We were drawn against a team from Crediton that had, amongst their number, an international player!

Nevertheless we matched them for nine ends at which point the score was 7-all. However, Crediton then stepped up a gear or two, and eventually claimed the match by a dozen shots.

So defeated we might have been, but when you consider two of the opposition are skips in the Johns Trophy (Devon’s best six rinks) and one also skips in the Walker Cup, which is the Devon elite of just two rinks, we came away not feeling too demoralised – well, maybe just a little! It should also be noted thought that – well done, to Jean Brimson, Jane Painter and skip Carol Smith for getting there!