SIDMOUTH 2nd XI suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Paignton in a rain-shortened 35-over encounter at Queen’s Park, writes Fionn Wardrop.

With their first team already condemned to relegation, Paignton took the opportunity to strengthen their 2nd XI, who are also in the bottom two of the table.

Sidmouth lost the toss, were asked to bat, and got off to a slow start against a decent bowling attack. With 10 overs gone the score stood at 14-1, so there was some relief when, at the fall of the second wicket, Saj Patidar and James Gingell came together to up the tempo and add 93 runs at a run a ball.

Patidar led the way, scoring his 50 from 35 balls while Gingell wasn’t far behind registering his in 62 balls.

When these two were parted, Greg Chaplin kept the momentum up, scoring an unbeaten 28, the highlight of which was a pulled six off Mike Pedley.

The final total of 172 was adequate, given the conditions, but was perhaps 15 runs or so shy of what it might have been, due to the sluggish start.

Sidmouth’s bowling attack was led by Nick Mansfield, newly promoted after some strong performances for the 3rd XI, who looked very promising and recorded figures of 3-30 from his maximum 10 overs.

At the halfway point, Paignton were 65-4 and Sidmouth were favourites, but this was to reckon without a partnership of 55 between old heads Terry Farkins and Tim Ward which put Paignton back on track.

When Farkins was clean bowled by Mansfield, Liam Talbot kept up the good work and, together with Ward, reached the final over needing just two to win. A single from Chaplin’s first ball was followed by four dot balls, before a scrambled single from the last ball took Paignton to an exciting victory.

Notable in a good Sidmouth fielding effort were a running catch for Gingell and a sharp one-handed take at extra cover by Patidar. The only disappointment in the second half was the 25 conceded. In the final analysis, the runs and additional deliveries generated were the difference between a winning draw and losing.

Sidmouth take six points from the encounter and tomorrow host table toppers Plymouth at The Fort Field.