Devon Cricket Board - Lewis hit form with century as champs beat Plymouth

Lewis hit form with century as champs beat Plymouth

PLYMOUTH dropped back into the Premier Division bottom two when they went down by 55 runs to defending champions Sidmouth.
The city side finished runners-up behind Sidmouth last season, fuelling hopes of a real push for a first Premier title this term.
It hasn’t worked out as planned though as Plymouth have lost five times in seven starts and only local rivals Plympton are below them in the table.
Exeter beat Plympton in the latest round of Premier fixtures to move out of the bottom two at Plymouth’s expense.
Devon batsman Liam Lewis (right) returned to form with an unbeaten century as Sidmouth totted up 266 for six.
Matt Cooke went cheaply – bowled by Hal Kerton – but Lewis and Harvey Sargent (33) put on 63 before John Kerridge (2-46) spun out Sargent.
Lewis batted through to the end, hitting eight fours and four sixes in his 103 not out.
Along the way there were stands of 66 with Anthony Griffiths (14), another of 43 with Nick Gingell (22) and 38 unbroken with Dan Powell (23no).
“Liam batted terrifically well,” said Sidmouth skipper Will Murray.
“Although not in the best of form, he was incredibly determined and showed monumental discipline and application.
“Partnerships with Harvey, Pete Randerson and a confident whirlwind cameo from Dan Powell got us up to a very competitive 266.”
Plymouth skipper Sam Stein was the only bowler to go for less than for an over.
Plymouth were all out for 211 in reply with Mike Simmers their top scorer on 67.
For much of the chase Plymouth were up with the asking rate of a little more than five an over and at 184 for five with 11 overs to go were in with a chance as Simmers was still there.
After Ben Stein made 31 for openers, Simmers had been involved in stands of 32 with Henry Ramsden, 50 with John Varcoe, and 65 with Hal Kerton, who was sixth out at 184,
Three wickets went for four runs in the space of 11 balls – all to Kiwi Andy Mathieson (4-31) and that was game over.
Cooke (2-32) spun through the tail as Plymouth were dismissed with three full overs to go.
“Andrew Mathieson continued to trouble batsmen with his pace and bounce and the spinners did a great job pushing the rate up,” said Sidmouth skipper Murray.
“Powell kept well on a tricky wicket and showed why Devon have shown interest in his keeping.”
Plymouth skipper Stein said the performance was an improvement on the defeat by Bovey Tracey seven days earlier which was a consolation for some unlucky breaks in the game.
“I thought we bowled and fielded well to keep them to 266 a massive improvement from last week,” said Stein.
“Mike Simmers batted very and so did Ben and Hal.
“We had two bad decisions. Harry Ramsden was given out lbw on the seventh ball of the over - and it hit his glove!
“John Varcoe also hit his and was given lbw which definitely hindered our chase.
“Saying that, Andy Mathieson did bowl very well for them.”

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