The indoor season is drawing to a close at Sidmouth Bowls Club and the Men’s Captains Day saw skipper Paul Irvine at the helm, writes Carol Smith. 

It was an excellent day, with lunch for all between the morning and afternoon sessions. Our catering guru Debbie Leeds, along with Sue Clint and both lady Captains Sue and Marie, put on a lovely spread, followed by homemade apple crumble, which the majority requested. I have never quite understood what makes apple crumble or pie a top pudding for men?

Our thanks go to Patrick Collins for running the raffle. The bar staff, being myself with the help of John Buttigieg, were very busy. The bowling wasn't bad either. Being a Drive, you only play five or six ends on one rink, then move onto the next.

The morning’s winning team and top rink of the day were Simon Gregory, Ron Peppin, Gordon Brown and skip Brian Smith, with a plus score of 15 shots. The afternoon winning team with a plus score of 9 shots were Vincent Ferrante, John Brennan, Jerome Hagen and skip Ken Wheeler. After 10 ends, they were minus one shot but on the final five ends, they won on four and scored 12 shots to give them top spot of the afternoon.

Sidmouth Herald: Afternoon Winners Vincent, Ken, Jerome and John

Then to finish the week, a couple of mixed friendlies. The first was against Chardstock. Not being lucky enough to have their own indoor rinks, just to keep their hand in and to meet others, they visit various indoor venues during the winter season. This obviously means not playing very often, which was in Sidmouth’s favour.

We won on all three rinks with a total score of 80 - 32. Our top rink was Bert Hague, Ron Clint, Christine Radburn and skip John Mason, 30 - 9. They were closely followed by Chas Coates, David Parsons, Anita Mason and skip Sue Turner, 28 - 9. The third rink of Brian Deam, Derek Mountford, Sue Clint and skip Wilf Radburn also performed very well to win with a score of 22- 14.

The other friendly was against Feniton, again no indoor rinks for them but some do play indoor at Honiton during the winter. This did show in the score, as Feniton won on two of the three rinks and overall. 

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. At tea-time (halfway), Sidmouth were lagging behind by 14 shots. We improved a little after tea but still lost overall, 41 - 52. It was good to see several of our newer members participating and hopefully enjoying themselves. 

It was also good to see our only winning rink was skipped by a newish member, with another new member leading, so very well done to Janet Barton, Sue Clint and skip  Keith Pollitt, winning 20 - 18.

Sidmouth Herald: Raffle Patrick and Bar John