A team of four Sidmouth ladies took part in a thrilling sector final when they came up against a four from Madeira, writes Carol Smith.

With the match being a sector final, it was played on a neutral green and so both teams made the short trip to Budleigh Bowls Club for a Tuesday evening showdown.

What followed was a most exciting game that was thrilling to watch. It was also a seriously close encounter. On the 19th end, Sidmouth held a narrow two-shot lead, but the Madeira skip played her wood and the margins were clearly so tight a measure was called for.

Madeira won the measure and that took them into the 20th end with a single shot lead. After the 20th end the scores were level at 21-all.

The 21st end saw Sidmouth skip Jill Bishop use her first wood to get the shot, but back came the Madeira skip, Sue Harriott, to turn the end into one of two shots to Madeira!

Jill then had a great wood to remove one of the shots, but unfortunately left one, so Madeira won the match by the narrowest of margins, a single shot at 22-21.

A good turnout of support for both teams agreed it had been some spectacle! Well done, ladies, you served us up a wonderful encounter. The Sidmouth team comprised Zena Johnson, Karen Hollingdale, skip Jill Bishop and Susie Bonnell.

Jean Brimson had been meant to be part of the team, but she unfortunately slipped whilst hanging out her washing, and fractured a couple of small bones in the leg. Now she has a boot on up to her knee so was unable to play and so Zena Johnson stepped in to take her place.