Sidmouth Seniors travelled to Exeter and recorded a magnificent 4-2 success, writes Terry Carter.

Seniors captain Colin Paddon took a strong side to the popular Exeter Golf and Country Club, hoping to put an end to the pattern of mixed results this season, writes Terry Carter.

Having suffered a 6-0 reversal in their previous outing (at Tiverton), the team travelled expecting another tough encounter.

The Captain and Pop Banfield were first to the tee for Sidmouth and they were never in their contest, suffering a 4 and 3 defeat. Our captain usually waits by the last green to encourage his team in the final effort, but apparently he was lying in a dark room behind the swimming pool while we struggled on!

He had no need to worry though, as Alex Salway and John Hicks levelled things up with a 2 and 1 success.

The ever-consistent Trevor Kerridge was giving all the shots as he partnered Rob Owen in the next game, and with three two’s and a number of pars under their belt, they overcame the home pair to win 2 and 1.

Now in front in the match it got better for Sidmouth as left hander Tony Crowe and his partner Mike Teague faced the home pair giving the shots. However this game also went our way, when a 3 and 2 win provided yet another point.

Playing off 13, Tony said his 20 handicap partner had played exceptionally well, although Mike seemed to play his contribution down!

Exeter’s seniors now found themselves needing to win the last two games for a draw.

Next off was yours truly, partnering Glynn Hewitt for the first time, and giving shots to the home pair. Luckily I was also giving eight shots to my partner, and not for the last time in the game our opponents wanted to discuss Glynn’s handicap!

Despite a shaky start he also played very well, including nearest the pin on the par 3 fourth, and we won by a comfortable 3 and 2 margin.

With our game already won as we stood on the seventeenth tee, my partner decided to try his driver after using his safer 3 wood to good effect throughout. Two fairway splitting 240 yard drives and two pars later, his handicap was the topic of the day!

However, I was giving the shots after all, and thought it was fair enough. With Sidmouth now having a 4-1 lead over the home team, Ray Gunston and Bob Winstone were also giving shots to the home pair. However on this occasion they were unable to overcome what had been the pattern for all except the first game out, and lost 3 and 2.

A comprehensive win for Sidmouth was followed by dinner in Exeter’s impressive dining room, and the usual exuberant story in his speech from the now fully recovered Colin Paddon.