ILMINSTER will be losing the services of full England international Louis Ridout when he moves to Paignton at the end of the month.

Ridout has been a key man for the club in recent years and played a leading role in Ilminster’s Somerset league and cup double this season.

Outdoor captain Des Maull said: “There’s no question Louis will be a great loss to the club.

“When you go out to play a match it gives all the other players a lot of confidence knowing he’s on your side.

“I remember playing Louis when he was just 11 years old and he was a really good player then.

“He’s done an awful lot for the club and is a very nice, unassuming lad.

“All his friends and fellow bowlers wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

Ridout took part in his last Somerset competition on Sunday, signing off in style with a 21-11 defeat of Weston-super-Mare’s Andy Owens in the county singles final.

With a number of seasons under his belt as a senior international, Ridout is regarded as one of England’s best leads, and is also an accomplished back-end player who skipped three club-mates to the national fours final at Worthing in 2011.

In 2012 he was named as a reserve for the five-man team in the world championships in Australia.

And in the same year he was named Young Male Bowler of the Year at the Bowls England annual dinner.

This weekend Ridout is representing England Under-25s in the Home Internationals in Belfast – the last time he will be eligible to play for that age group.

Next on the agenda will be the England senior international trials for 2015 beind held at Leamington Spa on September 20.

Last Sunday Ilminster played the annual Dave Jackson Trophy.

On a lovely afternoon 36 bowlers, made up of 12 triples, played three games of eight ends.

After a very competitive and friendly match the winners were Sarah Lightfoot, Dave Hall and John Mitchell with second place going to Bill Bailey, Christine Davies and Ken Parker.

Ilminster played a mixed friendly away to Hemyock on Saturday with Ilminster winning on all rinks and by 72 shots to 44.

Results: Val Dargue, John Wells and David Pugh 15, P Gayle 13; Jill Wells, Mike King and Eric Keitch 15, S Phillips 11; Monica Woodland, Heather Sims and Barry Sims 23, G Chown 10; Roger Lench, Norma Pugh and Ken Parker 19, K James 10.

This weekend sees the finals of the club competitions.