Sidmouth seniors were edged out 4-2 in the first leg of their meeting with Crediton, writes Chris Grubb.

Despite the score line the team enjoyed an excellent day’s golf in dry and pleasant conditions in the company of a very friendly Downes Crediton team.

First out for Sidmouth were captain David Bromage and Phil Spencer who had a tight match.

Crediton went two-up before Sidmouth got back to all square, and thereafter there was only ever one hole difference. The ‘if only’ cry regarding vital putts made the difference in Sidmouth’s one-hole defeat.

A similar battle raged in the second match with Ray Gunston and Roger Bawden going three down, and then fighting back to get back to all square, only to go one down again and just failing to level the match on the last hole.

Colin Mitchell and Nigel Sharp brought a turn of fortunes with a fine three-and-two victory.

There was further joy for Sidmouth when Glyn Hewitt and John Sanders romped home with an emphatic four-and-three win to even up the match score.

Sadly the contest faded away from the Sidmouth team thereafter. Paul Blay and Vernon Ruffle came a cropper against consistent opponents and lost four-and-three.

Much depended on whether Colston Herbert and Ken Rothwell could once again even up the match score, but it wasn’t to be, as they went down three-and-two.

A 4-2 defeat away from home then, but Sidmouth are looking forward to the return leg in September when they hope to reverse the score line.