Sidmouth seniors were narrow first leg winners in a meeting with Exminster, writes Chris Grubb.

With home and away matches due to be played in less than a week it was essential Sidmouth Seniors got away with a flying start at home.

Captain Hugh Dorliac partnered with Derek Geear belying both his age and handicap made the best of starts and led by three holes after five.

The Exminster pairing played well, but could not get back on terms and the home pair eventually finished them off on the 14th winning five-and-four.

Chris Grubb and Barry Venn were next out with Barry playing his first match with the seniors team and having a tough match against an inform Exminster pair, but despite having to give 10 shots to the opposition, came home with a credible draw to earn Sidmouth a half point.

Regulars Les Pratt and Colin Mitchell also had a lively match and prevailed against strong opposition from the Exminster captain Keith Carnell and team mate Keith Thomas winning by four holes.

There the good news for the Sidmouth team hit the buffers when Bob Winstone and Paul Blay went down three-and-two.

David Stone and Brian Skittrall secured the home win with a solid match play exhibition winning by a massive seven-and-six.

New boys Frank Hart-Venn and Vic McCarthy did well on their first outing and kept their game going right to the 17th where they eventually lost three-and-one.

It all meant that Sidmouth claimed a three-and-a-half to two-and-a-half success, less than was hoped for ahead of the forthcoming away leg at Exminster.