Sidmouth seniors enjoyed a splendid four-and-a-half to one-and-a-half success when they entertained Ilfracombe, writes Hugh Dorliac.

The weather looked a bit doubtful as the tee off time approached, but senior’s captain Bruce Harcourt, partnered by vice-captain Tony Stoyle, led the team out just before 1pm.

They made a fighting start and did well to hold the in-form Ilfracombe captain and his long-hitting partner over the first nine.

However, a couple of mistakes saw the away team edge away and, despite Tony Stoyle’s par on the long 16th, defeat had to be conceded as the opponents did the same, but with an extra shot.

The second Sidmouth pair, Chris Grubb and John White, fared much better for they were never behind from the third hole and, despite a fight back from the visitors, held on to win two-and-one on the 17th.

Third pair, Terry Blackler and Malcolm Couldwell, had a good game also. They too were never behind, but the ‘shot of the match’ came on the 14th when Terry, who was struggling on the hole, took his fourth shot that hit the flag halfway up and dropped in the hole!

With the home duo also having a shot, it meant a three-up lead for the Sidmouth pair. The visitors still felt they had a chance, but a win on the 15th saw the home pairing to a four-and-three success.

Brian Cole and David Roberts played a very close game, fortunes see-sawing until the closing holes when local knowledge and good play helped them to secure a three-and-one win.

The penultimate pair of Graham Vincent and Colston Herbert were both in form and got the win of the day, six-and-five and, during their round, Graham Vincent bagged the home team’s ‘nearest the pin’ prize on the 12th hole.

Last pair out, Glyn Hewitt and Brian LeMasurier had a real battle against a good Ilfracombe pairing and had dropped to one behind coming to the final hole, but the difficulties of holing a ball on the 18th green came to their rescue and a fine putt saw the match halved.