Sidmouth senior golfers did not enjoy an entirely successful trip to Ilfracombe last month, having lost the contest there against their North Devon rivals by five matches to three, writes Charles Oram.

They were therefore relishing the opportunity to redress the balance when Ilfracombe made the 70-mile journey south for the return leg last week.

The sun shone and the course was in splendid condition as the first Sidmouth pairing of Nigel Sharp and David Roberts teed off.

The home pair glided effortlessly into a five shot lead by the turn. Roberts then chipped into the hole from 50- yards on the fourteenth for a birdie to seal a five-and-four success.

Not to be outdone, the next Sidmouth representatives, David Bromage and Ken Price, won by seven-and-six.

In dry weather it is easy to hit the ball over the back of the green on the 18th, but Bromage managed to hold the green with his fine approach shot to win the prize for the nearest the pin.

Chris Grubb recently enjoyed a walking holiday in the Pyrenees.

Playing with John Hicks, he had a mountain to climb when giving numerous shots to one of his opponents!

This contes twas all over after 14 holes, with the opposition ahead by five !

Grubb and Hicks were joined in the Vale of Tears by the other three Sidmouth pairings, all of whom lost to determined opponents.

Of the trio, Mick Munro and Terry Carter came the nearest to scoring for Sidmouth. They were involved in a tight game that went to the last hole, but they lost by one.

The final score was four matches to two in favour of the visitors and one of the defeated home players wished he were in the shoes of his opponent.

In fact, he was indeed in the shoes of his opponent, having walked off with them by mistake after the post match shower!

The alternative name for the club at Ilfracombe is Royal North Devon, and they demonstrated their aristocratic pedigree by winning both the home and away legs of the contest.

Sidmouth seniors will have to wait until next year to take the crown from their royal rivals.