Sidmouth’s home match against Teign Valley was held in sunny, dry, but cool conditions, although most of the visiting team were more concerned with the challenges of the slopes and adverse cambers that the Sidmouth course provides its players, writes Hugh Dorliac.

The away leg in April had been postponed due to the wet weather everyone was suffering at the time.

Captain for the day, Chris Grubb, partnered with Brian Cole led off and halved the first three holes, but despite further holes being won and lost, they were two up at the turn.

The pair managed to nose further in front on 10 and 11 only to lose 12 and 13, despite Chris Grubb getting pars, to shots the Teign Valley players had, so went back to two up, and maintained that margin to go on and complete a two-and-one victory. The second pairing of Mike Davis and David Bromage had what was described as a routine round of golf, winning by three-and-two, with Mike Davis chipping in on the 14th to extend their lead to three.

Barry Jones and Peter Emery, two of the four past seniors’ captains who were playing, had a good steady round and made home advantage count by winning two-and-one.

Colin Paddon and Keith James had a tough time against two good opponents from Teign Valley and unfortunately lost their match four-and-two.

Graham Vincent and ‘H’ Thompson, both in excellent form at the moment, stormed to an early substantial lead, and never looked back, winning by six-and-five to put Sidmouth in an overall winning position.

The final pairing of Charles Brown and playing partner Brian LeMasurier struggled for much of the match against a much younger pairing and subsequently lost five-and-four.

The ‘nearest the pin’ prize of a bottle of wine on the 12th was won by Chris Grubb, who donated it to the oldest member of the team Brian LeMasurier who at 83 ‘deserved to take something back with him’ for his fitness and willingness to continue to support the seniors’ section.

The overall score was 4-2 to Sidmouth with the rescheduled return leg due to be played on May 25.