Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth awarded Devon T20 title

Sidmouth awarded Devon T20 title

SIDMOUTH have been awarded the Ivor Dewdney Devon T20 title after North Devon declined to replay the final.

North Devon and Sidmouth were due to meet at the County Ground in Exeter last Sunday having won their respective semi-finals against Torquay and Plymouth respectively.

Before play could get stared a deluge left the ground under water in places and ruled out any chance of playing the final.

The initial plan was to replay the final at Exeter this Sunday, which was the only free date on a crowded end-of-season fixture list.

North Devon needed to defer a game in the North Devon League to play, but have been unable to do so and pulled out.

“It is regretted that North Devon have withdrawn, due to player commitments in the North Devon League,” said league administrator Geoff Coish.

“We apologise to Exeter, who had made the date available to us, and thank them for all their efforts last Sunday.

“In view of the foregoing Sidmouth have been declared the winners and will represent Devon in the National T20 Cup qualifier at Frocester in Somerset on August 11.”

There is only one snag with Sidmouth going to Frocester on August 11 – they should be playing at home to Plymouth the same day in the semi-finals of the Devon Senior Cup.

“The league has agreed that Sidmouth and Plymouth can negotiate another day for their semi-final,” said Coish.

“It has been suggested it is held at Plymouth on Sunday, August 18, but we await their deliberations.

“That date isn’t available for Sidmouth at home as it clashes with a county game.”

The other semi-final between Exmouth and Exeter will go ahead as planned. The final is due to be played at Plymouth on August 25.

Back at the County Ground on soggy Sunday, North Devon defeated Torquay by 44 runs in the first semi-final, then sat back and waited for Sidmouth and Plymouth to settle their differences in the second.

Plymouth made 110 for eight in their 20 overs – Marnus Labuschagne top scoring on 35 – which never looked enough to bother Sidmouth unduly.

Sidmouth got off to a rocket start with Nick Gingell (38no) and Liam Lewis (31) hoisting 42 in the first two overs.

Lewis, Anthony Griffiths and Josh Bess all perished on the chase, but the momentum was with Sidmouth.

Peter Randerson was 14 not out with Gingell when the winning post was passed.

FLASH BACK: Click here for Sunday's soggy action from finals day

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