A GENEROUS dollop of extras added to the Sandford total probably denied Sidmouth 3rd XI the consolation of ending their 2nd XI A Division stay with the best of a draw, writes John Goodwin.

Sidmouth, batting first after winning the toss, compiled a healthy 220-6 with Tim Phillips adding substance to the innings with 61 struck off 36 balls. But that was eclipsed by the home side who got past it with four balls to spare and five wickets down. Their total of 225-5 contained 35 extras.

The foundation of the Sidmouth innings had been laid by a second wicket stand of 84 between Declan Lines and Graham Munday, the former , making 72 and the latter content to play a supporting role with 23.

Phillips provided the late dash with 11 cleanly hit fours, mostly front foot drives but also some firm back foot shots through the covers, in his 61.

There were some handy chip-ins by Harvey Sargent, who belied his 12 years with some crisp hitting, and Charlie Dibble, who had finished as the visitors’ most successful bowler with 3-34 in 13 overs. While he was working in spin tandem with Munday, who took 1-45, Sandford were falling behind the rate after openers Gary Abdoll and Bob Eames had put on 62 for the first wicket.

The batsmen found runs easier to milk off the seamers and when the spin duo’s overs quota had expired the rate climbed, helped by a few wayward deliveries speeding unaided to the boundary.

Jason Matten finished the job off with a four and a six struck off the first two balls of the final over.