As the end of the season approaches we enter an intense period of friendly matches from far and wide as well as local teams, writes Ron Cook.

Continued fair-weather has made this late summer a great time for bowling!

First up a visit from Great Holland BC, touring from Berkshire against whom Sidmouth fielded six teams and a seventh team played for the visitors.

Sidmouth emerged victorious to the tune of a 137-108 score line and the hosts won on four of the six rinks.

Next up were six mixed rinks from Sunningdale BC and this produced a closely contested match which eventually went in favour of Sidmouth by a margin of just four shots!

The best home rink was the one Mike Bolland, Ann Elwood, Bert Hague and skip Jill Bishop, who won 22-14.

The following day Ottery St Mary, who are long-standing friends, visited with four mixed rinks.

The Otters certainly proved to be in good form as they landed a 92-54 success – ouch!

Next up a visit from Surbiton who proved to be too strong on the day, winning 74-69. The best of the home rinks was the one of captain John Greenaway, Alan Davis, Ray Tallent and skip Eileen Hewett, who won 26-13.

Hollycroft Park travelled from Hinckley in Leicestershire and contested what proved to be another close encounter that went their way, by just seven shots.

Sidmouth had two winning rinks, the best being that of Mary Smith, Doreen Pound, Bert Hague and lady Captain Val Newnham, with a score of 22-16.

A Friday trip to South Devon resulted in a compelling contest, by Sidmouth by the narrowest of margins – a single shot – at 98-97.

The best Sidmouth rink was the one of Ed Backhouse ably supported by Mary Smith and Ralph Brooks, who chalked up a 31-8 success.

The final fixture in a busy schedule was a ten rink of mixed triples against touring side Bocking Alliance from in Braintree Essex. This was a very good game with Bocking winning five, drawing one and Sidmouth taking four of the ten rinks with an overall shot count of 161-141 in favour of the Essex side.