- 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 have given Kiwi pace bowler Andy Mathieson (above) the rest of the season off to recharge his batteries ahead of the domestic season at home.Mathieson arrived at the Fortfield fresh from playing for Cental Districts, for whom he was the leading wicket-taker in domestic one-day cricket last season.
Barely a month into the season over here Mathieson was summoned into the New Zealand one-day squad for the mini-series against England and made his international debut at Chester-le-Street in the fifth and final game.
Mathieson took a wicket with his first ball – England opener Jason Roy – which proved the highlight of his season.
Twelve wickets at around 25 runs each for Premier side Sidmouth is a very modest return in the ten games he played.
Mathieson hasn’t featured in Sidmouth’s last two matches – wins over Heathcoat and Plymouth – and won’t appear against North Devon this Saturday or Exeter on the last day of the season.
Anthony Griffiths, the Sidmouth secretary and 1st XI regular, said when Mathieson asked to be rested the club were happy to oblige.
“If we were still in with a chance of winning the Premier title it might have been different, but we aren’t,” said Griffiths.
“Andrew has played a lot of cricket this year and is basically worn out and in need of a break.
“With Andrew not playing it has allowed us the chance to give Joe Griffiths a go in the side to see what he can do.
“Joe – no relation to me by the way – is an up-and-coming seam bowler who could force his way into the 1st XI on a regular basis next season.”
With two games to play Sidmouth trail leaders Torquay by 33 points and have no realistic chance of regaining the title they won last year,
The last time Sidmouth played an entire season without winning a 1st XI trophy was 2006, when they were relegated from the Premier Division.
There is one trophy Sidmouth can win this year though is the Premier Division 2nd XI title.
Sidmouth entertain North Devon on Saturday 20 points clear of second-placed Exeter at the top of the table with 40 points to play for.
If Sidmouth get more points than Exeter this Saturday – win, lose or tie – they will have the title stashed before the two sides meet at the County Ground on the final day of the campaign.
