The New Year started with Budleigh Ladies entertaining county president Sonia Bowden and the county ladies to an enjoyable match of two rinks in the morning followed by two rinks in the afternoon.

The New Year started with Budleigh Ladies entertaining county president Sonia Bowden and the county ladies to an enjoyable match of two rinks in the morning followed by two rinks in the afternoon.

The overall score was a 70-70 draw.

An excellent lunch was enjoyed between the two games.

Morning teams and scores for Budleigh were were Dawn Graham, Diane Dixon, Doreen Dealer and Dianzee Lowe (17-16); Bunty Hudson, Dorothy MacConville, Kate Davey and Joan Shaw (16-19).

The afternoon teams' details were Lorna Autton, Jennifer Mahon, Ann Cottle and Jean Coates (12-18); Lilian Grainger, Avis Bartlett, Jane Hincks and Brenda Dixon (25-17).

A Foxlands League game was played against North Devon with disaster on all rinks as 10 points were conceded away from home.

Jean Coates' team of Lilian Grainger, Brenda Dixon and Jane Hincks had a close game, finishing 15-18.

At home, Ann Cottle's team of Dawn Graham, Pat Harvey and Diane Dixon also went close, only losing on the last few ends to finish 17-23. The less said about the other teams the better. They were away Avis Bartlett, Dorothy MacConville, Kate Davey and Joan Shaw (15- 29); Audrey Taylor, Bunty Hudson, Doreen Dealler and Dianzee Lowe (13-35).

Kate, Jane and Joan were in action again the next day, playing county triples against Shirley Hiscock's triple from Honiton.

At 17 ends the score was 13-13 with one wood each to go. Budleigh were holding two shots to win the game, but it was not to be.

Shirley drew in for shot and Joan failed to change the situation.

Joan had experienced the same situation earlier in the week when she played Terri Kennard in the semi-final of the Champion of Champions. The match was 20 all and Terri drew the shot to win the game.