The seniors played the first of the home and away matches against Bigbury on Thursday, and John Hicks will be anxious after a disappointing result at home.

The seniors played the first of the home and away matches against Bigbury on Thursday, and John Hicks will be anxious after a disappointing result at home.

Some seniors usually play their golf at the leisurely end of the speed scale, taking time out to complete their diary or send messages on Twitter before leaving each green after putting out. However, on this occasion, our poor result may have been because several had raced round the course faster than usual. Word had filtered back to us all that John Rockey had hit a hole-in-one in the roll up just in front of the seniors' match, so everyone was keen to get into the clubhouse in time for the traditional round of drinks for everyone present! However, despite the unseemly haste, Mr Rockey had already vacated the premises when we arrived, gasping for breath.

John Hicks and David Bromage had been first off and so were the first to also be disappointed and thirsty back in the clubhouse, despite having won their match 5 and 3.

This fine result gave John hope of a victory before facing Bigbury again at their South Hams course next week. Pop Banfield and a breathless Ray Gunston were next to arrive, and their 3 and 2 win provided another point for Sidmouth. Then the wheels came off. Peter Emery and Barry Jones were receiving shots from their opponents, but still lost on the last to give the Bigbury golfers some encouragement.

Matters deteriorated further for us when Mick Munro, partnered by Derek Geear, lost their game on the 18th green. Mick was giving shots all round and played below his handicap, but the point still went to the Bigbury pair.

With the match all square, John Bainbridge and I managed a 3 and 2 victory to edge us in front again, although our opponents could count themselves unlucky. Taking shots off me, they had started with two great drives up the first while I had scuffed my tee shot onto the 18th green. In the meantime, John lost two balls before he had reached the fairway, and then walked dejectedly to the second tee. Somehow, I managed to scrape a half with a five, and then John birdied the second hole before winning four of the next five to leave them to continue the fight, feeling slightly disappointed. Mike Flattley and Peter Wells were last pair off, and, although Mike was giving shots all round, another point was likely. However, this game was lost on the 18th to give Bigbury three of the six points available, with each of the three going down to the last.

Sidmouth visit Bigbury on Monday for the final match of the seniors' season. Result: Sidmouth 3 Bigbury 3.