A total of 235-7, set up by an opening stand of 96 between Anthony Dibble and Harvey Sargent, proved well beyond Stoke Gabriel II when they came up against Sidmouth 3rd XI at Bicton.

Stoke were never able to get a base for any reply in the face of George House and Alistair Bartlett’s bowling. House took 3-12 in six overs and Bartlett 2-13 in eight.

They kept a disciplined line and both benefited from sharp gully catches by Dibble, who had marked his return to the team with 63.

With a run-out contributing to the visitors’ woes, Sidmouth were soon into the middle order leaving change bowlers Toby Seldon, with 2-20, and Lee Clayden, 1-17, to finish the job off in the 25th over, Stoke being dismissed for 63.

Despite a few calling faux pas, House and Bartlett built up a useful partnership when batting too, putting on 52 for the sixth wicket.

It was a suicidal call by House, who was on 27, that ended the stand. Bartlett was stumped for 32 off young leg spinner Danny Bullock who took 3-45 to be the visitors’ best bowler. Another of his victims was Joe Griffiths who contributed 27.

After his side had slumped to 23-6 Bullock showed great resolve until Clayden got him to snick one behind.

That made it 41-8 and a last wicket flurry by Keith Horsburgh, who got his team’s top score of 18, and John Robinson, 12 not out, got the score up to 63.

On Saturday the 3rd XI, who sit second in the B Division behind leaders Budleigh, travel to second bottom South Devon.