Touring teams given the proper Sidmouth experience

The first was Westlecot from Swindon. They have been visiting Sidmouth and staying in one of our seafront hotels for many years and we hope many more to come.

We played eight full rinks against them, 64 players in total. At half-time, they were served a Devon cream tea (hope they put the cream on first) by Mary, Brenda, Maggie and Wendy.

The post-match the bar was ‘manned’ by Rob, Sue, Tony and myself. Everyone had a great afternoon bowling and, looking at the scores, a very even match with Sidmouth just winning overall by 116 - 108. Sidmouth won on four of the eight rinks, as did our visitors. Our top team was Deborah Robertson, Stuart Thomson, Jerome Hagen and skip Zena Johnson 20 - 9.

The next day, our second touring team was Portishead RBL from Bristol, with another eight playing rinks, hence another busy but rewarding day. I say rewarding, as these large touring teams, apart from helping our club coffers, also spend money in our lovely town. We have all missed them and it's so good to see them returning and all enjoying life once again. Both teams loved our hospitality and have already booked for next year.

Back to the scores, Portishead managed to beat Sidmouth overall, the score being 111 - 92. Out top rink was Brian Deam, Maggie Masson, Janice Quinn and skip John Mason 17 - 11.

Once again, we thank our tea ladies Sue, Debbie and Kim, and bar staff Sue, Annie and Rob for their time. We are all volunteers and it's good to see new members doing their bit to help.

Elsewhere at the club Zena Johnson, Anita Mason and Jan J Bates are pictured with their Runners-up Plate from the Ladies County Pairs. Anita was substitute in the semi–final, which they won and the final was only lost by a few shots, when due to Covid, Zena was unable to play – a great performance from the whole squad.

Zena Johnson, Anita Mason and Jan J. Bates with their Runners up Plate (Image: Carol Smith)

Portishead and Sidmouth Players (Image: Carol Smith)