Sidmouth went out of the Palairet Cup at Crediton Downes last weekend, writes George Carr.

After battling through two earlier rounds at Churston and Dawlish in this county-wide contest with two very good wins, there was disappointment here for players and supporters alike as Sidmouth’s finest golfers slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat against a strong Saunton side.

All seemed very promising when Neil Holland and Duncan Taylor gave Sidmouth an early advantage with a solid 2-1 win; and even better when the powerful pairing of John Jones and Chris Lewis won five up on the 14th green.

However, things went rapidly down hill in spectacular fashion thereafter as Will Hastie and Nick Gingell were well beaten 7-6, Dave Pepperell (Stonkey) and Lewis Perry lost 2-1 in an exciting encounter, and, in what proved to be the deciding match, Jonathan Lee and Mark Thomas went down 3-2; and so the match itself was lost by the same score and dreams of further success must be put away until next year.

Well played, gentlemen.