Sidmouth seniors travelled to Ilfracombe for the first leg of their annual match, writes Chris Grubb.

They were met with squally showers and very blustery conditions, with the wind blowing directly from the sea making for some interesting and difficult golf shots, unless you were a local player used to such winds!

Seniors’ captain Hugh Dorliac, paired with Brian Cole, made a good start by winning the first hole, but then things went downhill after that and they eventually succumbed to a five-and-four defeat.

The same fate awaited the next pair of Don Cooper and Brian Leach, promoted from the B team to the senior side, whose opponents made the most of home advantage.

David Roberts and Rob Owen fared slightly better, but unluckily lost on the last hole after a very close match.

George West and Jack Stokes, also playing in their first seniors match, fought hard and earned a well-deserved draw to gain the first half point for Sidmouth.

Better still, Chris Grubb and club president Roger Bawden, won their match on the last hole with a half, after a close match.

Crucial to their success was a birdie two on the fourth that earned Roger the prize for nearest the pin and also a birdie for Chris on the 16th after a chip in from the edge of the green to take the lead. The last pair out for Sidmouth were Bruce Harcourt and Terry Blackler, up against a good steady pairing from Ilfracombe and eventually lost on the 16th to a three-and-two score line.

That all left Ilfracombe the four-and-a-half to one-and-a-half victors.

The return match is at Sidmouth on July 28 when the home side will seek to reverse the score line.