The Sidmouth outdoor season got off to a good start with the weather being on our side, writes Mary Turner.

It was a glorious day as far as sunshine was concerned albeit a trifle chilly. The greens were officially opened by Councillor John Hollick who bowled the first wood of the term.

Before the start of play there was the initial spider drive, with Maurice Watson winning a bottle of champagne by being nearest to the silver jack.

The afternoon continued with internal teams competing against each other. The winning rink on the top green was Ann Elwood, Frank Adlam, Bert Hague and skip Josie Harrison, with newcomer Ann Elwood making her debut and playing an excellent game. Well done Ann. The winning rink on the bottom green was Sue Mison, David Bryant, Elaine Reed, and skip Brian Smith.

The men’s opened their match playing season with a game against Chardstock that they won by three points. The winning rink was Ivan Robins, Trevor Pritchard and Peter Mison.

The ladies opened with a meeting against Shaldon that saw Sidmouth win on two rinks and lose on one. The winning rinks were Paddy Chew, Paddy Wrench and skip Eileen Hewett and Jean Brimson, Sylvia Cook and skip Phyl Nobbs.

The first touring team of the season were a side from Suffolk and they triumphed by a single point in a thrilling encounter.The winning Sidmouth rink was Ivan Robins, Mary Turner, Peter Mison and skip Jill Bishop.

The first Ladies Over-50s league match saw Sidmouth beaten by Ottery St Mary. Sidmouth won one game and lost one, but won overall 32-30. The winning rink was Pat Pritchard, Zena Johnson and skip Jill Bishop. Well done ladies for gaining the first points in the league.

A ladies’ friendly at Budleigh Salterton saw Sidmouth win by four shots. The top rink was Mary Turner, Paddy Chew, Jean Green and skip Jane Painter. Well done ladies.

The men also played Budleigh, their meeting at Sidmouth seeing the hosts claim a huge winning margin of 85. The victorious rink was Ray Tallent, Frank Adlam and Brian Smith. Well done.

The first Friday in May saw a visit from tourists St Mary Bourne, Hampshire which the hosts won 120-96.

The winning rinks were; Ken Bridgeman, Mary Turner, John Chew and skip Jane Painter; Pat Pritchard, Alex Bent, Janice Quinn and skip Ron Cook, and, last but not least, Bill Dunbar, J Quinn, Jim Wrench and skip Jill Bishop who had a score of 17 to 16. A pleasant afternoon was enjoyed by all.

The Open Day proved to be a great success with 20 people attending and hopefully some will now join the club.