Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth add North Devon scalp to collection

Sidmouth add North Devon scalp to collection

SKIPPER Matt Westaway said he had few complaints about the six-wicket defeat by Sidmouth that dropped his side into the bottom half of the table.
North Devon were all out for 66 in the 30^th over with only two batters – Barney Huxtable and Max Curtis – reaching double figures.
Aussie Dan Babula cut down the prime of North Devon batting on his way to five for 23 and there were two wickets for Will Murray as part of the mopping-up exercise.
North Devon were 55 for two in the 20^th over, which underlines the size of their collapse.
Tom Allin (3-20) made life uncomfortable at times for the Sidmouth batters, but Anthony Griffiths (28no) and Matt Cooke (20no) got them there after a scare or two.
“I said we needed to take our A Game into the match, but we were no where near it,” said Westaway.
“Playing Sidmouth can be a relentless experience as they have so much talent down there.
“You see off their opening bowlers, and someone just as good replaces him
“It is the same with the batting. You get Bess and Lewis out and in comes Griffiths with Randerson and Cooke to come.
“The last two weeks have been pretty dispiriting for us, losing heavily to Sidmouth and Exmouth one after the other.
“We have seen the level we need to aspire to if we want to achieve anything and the aim for the rest of the season is to consolidate and work on improvements that will make us stronger over the next few seasons.”
Opposite number Murray said: “I was pleased to win at North Devon as they never give you many opportunities.
“Our bowlers did a job on them as 66 all out from 52 for two takes some doing.
“I was glad we weren’t chasing too many more as there was a bit in the wicket and Tom Allin (left) was bowling really well.”
A minute’s silence was observed before the game by players and officials as a mark of respect to former North Devon player Brian Roe, who died over the weekend.

PLYMOUTH slipped up against Exmouth who raced to a seven-wicket win chasing a rain-reduced target at Mount Wise.

Plymouth got to bat all their overs and were 170 for nine when time ran out – skipper Matt Hooper top scoring on 35.

Plymouth’s batting was in all sorts of disarray after an early pummeling from Ollie Dawe (3-28) and Trevor Anning, which left them an unimpressive 21 for four in the 12th over.

Steve Luffman (24) and Joe Hagan-Burt (21) stopped the rot with a stand of 38. Hagan-Burt and Hooper added 43 them Rob Bennett (22) and Hooper rattled ip another 44.

A rain break meant Exmouth were only going to get 33 overs in reply and their target was reduced to 113 to win.

With the threat of more rain around and worries over getting enough cricket in for the result to stand, Exmouth raced to victory inside 18 overs.

Devon’s Sandy Allen went cheaply – he was in and out for nine – but Richard Baggs (38) and Bob Dawson (18) made a 66-run dent in the deficit.

Spinner John Kerridge (2-24) picked off Dawson then Baggs, but Exmouth cruised home with Seb Benton and David Lye at the wheel.

Exmouth are winning again after a mini-blip which saw them lose three in a row and drop down from second to fourth.

Plymouth have now lost three of their last four and have dropped from second to fifth, where they trail leaders Sidmouth by 62 points.

Exmouth’s first five batters have all played Minor Counties level or higher – as have four of the five bowlers they used.

Hooper said Exmouth’s strength in depth is formidable and he wasn’t going to get too worked up over this particular defeat.

“When they won they toss I thought we may be in a little bit of trouble against one of the best teams in the league,” said Hooper.

“I thought we did well to get to 170 and it was great to see Joe Hagan-Burt get a few runs. He looked very composed against some good bowling in bowler-friendly conditions.

“We bowled well, but every time we got a wicket another good batsman came out.

“John Kerridge bowled brilliantly he took out two good players and could have had a few more on another day.”

CORNWOOD’S game against failed to go distance as rain stopped play after 12 overs at Oak Park, where visiting Exeter were 36 for one.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773