Sidmouth win Devon honours

Sidmouth were likely champions of the Francis Clark Devon Premier League even before they went to Plympton in the final round with just three points needed from the 20 up for grabs.

Three were quickly bagged in bowling points though they went on to win the match by three wickets.

Known for moving up and down through the leagues, Sidmouth won nine of their 18 matches with two cancellations and four abandonments through bad weather and the confidence gained through their successes meant the league-hopping was a thing of the past, according to captain Will Murray.

“I knew the players were good enough, but we had to convince ourselves we could beat decent sides like Exeter, Budleigh Salterton and Plympton if we wanted to achieve anything this season,” he told the Herald Express.

“We started well with a win over Exmouth, then were badly beaten at Plymouth in our next game, which was probably a kick up the backside we needed.

“We have shown we are good enough by beating Sandford, Budleigh twice and Exeter. I think we can say we now belong in the Premier Division and our days of going up and down are over for now.”

Runs were at a premium down at Plympton, where the home side struggled to 123 for eight in their full 50 overs. David Wrench (39) was the Plympton anchorman, opening up and taking the score to 74 for four. Chip ins from Andy Walter (17) and Craig Miles (19 not out) were worth more than they seemed.

Sidmouth found runs almost as hard to come by and were indebted to opener Josh Bess for sticking around to 53. He was fourth out at 71 during a period when Sidmouth were falling apart against the bowling of Keith Donohue (3-26) and Arwyn Jones (2-30).

A promising 66 for two became 85 for seven when Murray came out to join Barlow. Although the title was already won, Murray wanted to finish with a victory and sensible batting got him his wish.

Plymouth finished their first season back in the Premier Division on a high with an unexpected two-wicket win over visiting Sandford.

Budleigh Salterton romped to a quickfire eight-wicket win at the Maer Ground to send Exmouth tumbling into the A Division for only the second time in their history.

Paignton captain Justin Mann said the lack of a wicket-taking bowler was the main reason his side were relegated for the first time. Although they took the best of a draw from their game at Exeter, they were badly holed below the waterline by the defeat against Torquay seven days earlier to seal their fate.

Torquay lived to fight another day in the Premier Division after beating North Devon by four wickets having been in the bottom two for 16 of the previous 17 weeks.