- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
SIDMOUTH were given a run for their money by Paignton before winning a nail-biter by nine runs.Opener Matt Cooke (pictured) flogged the Paignton bowling for rapid century in a Sidmouth total of 283 for six.
It was Cooke’s first league century for the defending champions, although he has an extensive collection of out-in-the-90s knocks.
Paignton looked dead and buried at 153 for seven on the chase with 16 overs to go, but weren’t about to roll over obligingly,
Rob Shergold (47no) and George Yates put on 80 for the eighth wicket and with tail-ender Aaron Hearn biffing 25 off 13 balls Paignton got to 274 for eight.
Victory leaves Sidmouth in second place, 13 points behind leaders Torquay, who beat North Devon.
Sidmouth go to Torquay this Saturday in their best chance to close the gap even further.
“I wouldn’t say it is a title decider, but if we lose it will be difficult to win the league this year.,’ said skipper Will Murray.
Paignton remain in the bottom two, seven points below the safety line, and in need of a win over Exmouth this Saturday to get the season moving again.
Cooke and Liam Lewis (65) gave Sidmouth a 132-run start and subsequent pairings carried on the good work.
Pete Randerson (47) helped Cooke add 75 for the second wicket and there was a stand of 48 to come between the busy left-hander and Jake Fawcett (38).
Shergold (3-83) got Cooke out at 255 for three. He batted 161 minutes, faced 115 balls and hit 12 fours and to sixes.
Paignton lost Ollie Higgs early, Noah Wright soon after and at 13 for two needed some stiffening up.
Mikey Cousens (49) and Dan Wolf (54) provided it in a partnership of 91 that got Paignton to 104 for three.
Wickets tumbled – two for Lewis and one each for Murray, Miles and Fawcett – as Paignton stumbled to 153 for seven.
Then came the Shergold-Yates alliance that breathed new life into the pursuit.
Yates made 44 off 54 balls with Shergold hitting 47 off 39 with four fours and two sixes.
Cooke – one over for 15 – and Nick Gingell (1-32 off two) bowled some tempters at the end as Sidmouth tried to pick up the last few wickets for bonus points.
“It was worth having a go as every point could be vital,” said Murray.
“We got one wicket, but the other one eluded us.
“It looks like Paignton got close – and they were a little closer than I would have liked.
“But with Andy Mathieson to bowl the last over, and 16 needed to win, I was never too worried.”
Connor Bryan, the Paignton captain, said his team couldn’t have played much better.
“I couldn't have asked any more of the lads,” said Bryan.
“Sidmouth batted really well and showed maturity throughout there innings.
“They got off to a flyer through Lewis and Cooke. However, I thought the boys showed grit and determination in the field to claw it back in the last 25 overs.
“Our innings did not start well, losing a couple of quick wickets.
“Dan Wolf showed class during his innings and I am sure has turned a few heads in the way of Devon selectors.
“Yates and Shergold got us up to a score which was ever so close to winning the game.”