CROQUET: A team of three players travelled from Plymouth for a SW Federation B League match against Sidmouth.

A team of three players travelled from Plymouth for a SW Federation B League match against Sidmouth, the final one in the home club's fixture list. The weather was sunny and bright and the lawns were surprisingly fast after all the rain of the previous days.

The morning's play saw Sidmouth off to a good start, with Pam Bowra winning her singles game and Muriel Philpott and Keith Thorley their doubles. After lunch, the home club continued their run of success with singles games won by Muriel and Keith. However, the visitors scored their only win following a very close game which Pam lost by one hoop, resulting in a final score of 4-1 to Sidmouth - a successful finish to Sidmouth's B League fixtures in which they won three matches and lost only one.

l Last year saw the first of an annual friendly Golf Croquet tournament with Dowlish Wake and this year it was Sidmouth's turn to be hosts.

The Dowlish team arrived in what can only be described as miserable conditions, but, having made the journey from the Ilminster area, they were determined to give it a go, so this last Sidmouth match of the season was played in rain which continued unabated throughout the day.

The two teams were very evenly matched, Sidmouth's win being determined by the very last game. Of the eight home players, best performances were by Anne Reece and Keith Thorley, who both won all three of their games.

Result: Sidmouth 10.5, Dowlish Wake 9.5.

All were thankful to retire to the clubhouse and dry out over an excellent tea provided at short notice by caterer Gill Hodge, after it became clear that the match would not be abandoned.