Sidmouth 3rd XI go into their final league game of the season this Saturday at Bicton against Plymstock heartened by their first win in four weeks against Barton 2nd XI last Saturday in Torquay.

Sidmouth 3rd XI go into their final league game of the season this Saturday at Bicton against Plymstock heartened by their first win in four weeks against Barton 2nd XI last Saturday in Torquay.

The match was a personal triumph for Graham Bess, who not only scored a useful 30 with the bat but also rewound the clock to take 5 for 34 with his seamers.

Sidmouth were asked to bat first and soon lost Mike Dibble LBW for 1.

A useful partnership between Bob Macey and Tom Bowring was accelerating nicely before Bowring was run out for 43 when Macey, the batsman on strike, refused his offer of a single to backward point.

Will Sobczak departed for 7 and Macey was bowled for 37 soon after. Bess was bowled going for a big hit and it was left to Tom Overthrow and Charlie Miles to wrap up the innings with some useful runs, both finishing undefeated.

Barton's reply started at an electric pace, but Paris Pinney was soon amongst the wickets claiming both openers to balls that 'stopped' on a two paced wicket, one caught by Macey the other by Bowring.

The hard-hitting Porter and Field were attacking the ball with gusto and it was Bess who made the breakthrough when he trapped Field LBW.

Tyran Le Roux came into the attack and he dismissed Porter who was well taken at backward point by Tom Chaplin whose fielding has been one of the highlights of the season.

Le Roux's bowling was also excellent on the day and we hope he can gain confidence from his display and become a force next season with his away swingers.

Bess continued to take wickets and eventually bowled three spells bowling in total 13 overs - not bad for someone whose fitness to bowl was in doubt up until 12.59pm!

Pinney took two more wickets and, despite a useful 40 from Lievesley, Sidmouth were victorious with just over three overs to go.

Barton 2nd XI v Sidmouth 3rd XI: Sidmouth 181-5 (T Bowring 43, B Macey 37, G Bess 30, T Overthrow 20; T Porter 2-62),

Barton 144 (T Porter 22, T Field 33, M Lievesley 40; P Pinney 4-36, G Bess 5-34).

Sidmouth (19pts) bt Barton (4) by 37 runs.

Sidmouth CC 3rd XI: Back, from left: Peter Cooke, Bob Macey, Tom Bowring, Mike Dibble, Tom Overthrow, Graham Bess, Clive Dwerryhouse.

Front: Tyran Le Roux, Tom Chaplin, Paris Pinney, Martyn Dean, Will Sobczak and Charlie Miles.

Picture: Courtesy Herald Express, Torquay.