Devon Cricket Board - Premier - Sidmouth and Exmouth meet in title decider

Premier - Sidmouth and Exmouth meet in title decider

SIDMOUTH can lift the Devon Premier Division title for the fourth time in five years if they beat Exmouth on the Maer tomorrow.
We wettest season since 1988 hasn’t produced many highlights so far, but there is one in prospect on the last day.
For the only team who can win the title apart from Devon Cup winners Sidmouth are Exmouth, who will be doing all they can to deny their near neighbours the double.
Sidmouth need eight points to be 100 per cent certain of the title, which is harder than it sounds in the new order of win-lose cricket played in the top flight.
Last season Sidmouth could have gone for a draw in this situation, safe in the knowledge that would do the trick. Not anymore.
“It is very hard to get eight points from a defeat under the new system so we have to go all out for a win,” said Sidmouth skipper Will Murray.
“What might look like just a handful of points is anything but and we have to remember nothing is done and dusted yet.
“Exmouth know if they win the match they can pip us at the post. In David Lye and Trevor Anning they have two of the most consistent cricketers in the Premier this season, never mind all their other good players, so they are a genuine threat.
“Out task is to go out there and ensure it is job done.”
Exmouth captain Richard Baggs has pledged to fight to the bitter end in the hope of landing a first title since 1999.
“We can do it, although it will be difficult,” said Baggs.
“The breaks have to go our way and we are the underdogs, but that’s the way we like it.”
The remaining issues are at the bottom of the table where Torquay (154pts), Budleigh Salterton (152), Bradninch (150), Sandford (142) and Heathcoat (141) are all battling to dodge the drop.
Torquay go to North Devon, Heathcoat entertain Bovey Tracey, Budleigh are at Plymouth and Sandford host Bradninch in the big one.
Sandford, last season’s A Division runners up have not been out of the bottom four all season and with one game to go are nine points adrift of safety.
Matt Theedom, the Sandford skipper, said expectations were not high at the start of the season and in many ways there is no real pressure on the team.
“At the beginning of the year we were highlighted as a team that would go straight back down to the A division, so there is no pressure on us or the club,” said Theedom.
“Win and everyone will be over the moon!
“The probable scenario for Saturday is that whoever loses our game will be relegated plus one other from the three sides down in the bottom five with us.
“However, there are so many possibilities with bonus points and rain that it could be a real nail-biter of a weekend.
“Bradninch gave us a hiding at their place earlier in the year, so we know it will be tough match.”
Heathcoat, one point behind Sandford, appear to have their work cut out to dodge the drop. However, four wins in the last seven games have given them hope.
Beating Bovey Tracey won’t be enough. Heathcoat are relying on either Torquay or Budleigh (to lose heavily to get dragged into the mire themselves.
However, Heathcoat skipper Chris Small remains confident to the last.
“If we bowl in a similar way and play the way we have in five of the last six weeks, there is no reason why we can’t come away with a win,” said Small.
Skipper Justin Yau says the Bovey-Heathcoat game is the result he will be watching out for above all others on Saturday night.
“Heathcoat have the ability to beat Bovey, who no longer have anything to play for which makes things interesting!
“Realistically, seven points should see us maintain our Premier status, any less and it could be squeaky bum time.
“It has been a difficult season - very stop-start and difficult to maintain momentum due to the weather.
“We have one more little bit to do and if we play to our best we'll pull through fine.”
The two Matts – Hickey and Hunt – are unavailable so Tom Field and Tim Western are drafted in.
Bovey will be without Devon captain and spinner Chris Bradley, who suffered a repeat problem with a shoulder injury in the Devon Cup final on Sunday and needs surgery to put it right.

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