On a perfect day for golf the Sidmouth seniors visited Lyme Regis, writes Hugh Dorliac.

The course was in excellent condition for the time of year, though the greens were a little random paced.

Sidmouth captain Bruce Harcourt and ‘H’ Thompson led the team out in the first match and were a creditable all square at the ninth.

On three of the next four holes there were no strokes and the Lyme 11-handicap player took full advantage to pull his team ahead.

Despite pulling one back, the Sidmouth pair lost their battle on the 16th by three-and-two.

The second pairing for Sidmouth, Mike Davis and David Bromage, fought gamely in a very close match and got their noses in front on the back nine, eventually going on to win by two on the 18th.

Bob Webber and Chris Timms struggled against an in form pair from Lyme and despite a fair performance, lost four-and-two on the 16th hole.

Fourth out were Ken Rothwell and Charles Brown who, after struggling at the start and going four down after six. However, they the put in a strong fight back before unfortunately losing three-and-two. Brian Cole and John White had a great game and arrived at the 18th all square, but then sadly failed to sink the vital putts to lose by one.

Sidmouth’s final duo were John Bainbridge and Ray Gunston, two past seniors captains, and they played a magnificent round each. When one failed the other stepped up to the mark. The Lyme Regis pair were, on paper, one of their strongest pairings, but John and Ray took the day two-and-one.

The overall result was 4-2 to Lyme Regis, but it was a much closer contest than the result would indicate.

Due to a busy schedule of matches the return match is not scheduled to take place until October, but Bruce is confident of a successful home leg. The next match for Sidmouth is at home against local rivals Honiton.