The doors of Sidmouth Bowls Club have been open to touring teams over the past fortnight and, on the whole, good weather greeted the guests, writes Carol Smith.

Trowbridge BC were in town last week and over the course of six entertaining rinks, the final score was an incredibly close 105-104 victory for the visitors. Sidmouth’s top rink was Mary Meadows, Ron Clint, Anita Mason and skip Mick Cox, 20-7.

Captain of the day, Chris Ward, took three teams to Budleigh Salterton for a friendly, and Sidmouth prevailed, 68-58. Top rink was Julie Wevill, Nick Coles and Chris Ward.

Back on home soil, New Milton BC travelled up the coast from Hampshire, with over 40 bowlers staying locally to help the Sidmouth economy. New Milton had some huge quality in their team and came through with a 196-131 victory. The only winning rink for the hosts was Jean Brimson, Denis Griffiths, Paul Irvine and skip Jill Bishop, 22-18.

Bocking Alliance travelled even further, from Braintree in Essex, as part of their centenary celebrations. With one match to finish, Bocking were leading by three points but Sidmouth turned around the result to emerge victorious overall by 136 to 130.

As well as being great fun for the bowlers, touring teams does mean a lot of work for the club volunteers, and a huge thank-you to all of them.

The Men’s Exeter and District Triples League has now finished for the season and all four Sidmouth teams have managed to stay in the divisions.

The previous week opened with a 78-54 victory for Sidmouth at Chardstock, with the top rink comprising Brian Deam, Sue Clint, Jerome Hagan and skip Sue Turner, 38-8.

Sidmouth welcomed a touring team from Winsley in Wiltshire and another great day of friendly bowls, although the visitors took the win, 73-55. Sidmouth’s winning rink was Kevin Walsh, Chas Coates, Paul Irvine and skip Sue Turner, 18-15.

The Sidmouth bowlers played very well to overcome Pineholt from Gloucestershire 116-103 but there were no local bragging rights at Phear Park in Exmouth, as the hosts cruised to victory. Finally, it was a home rink against neighbours Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth won all three rinks for an overall score of 57-39.