A BATTLING Sidmouth 3rd XI performance avoided defeat against Plymstock 2nd XI but fell just short of the target required to take two points from the draw in the 2nd XI B Division, writes John Goodwin.

George House’s 46 not out rescued Sidmouth from a position of some peril and a seventh wicket stand of 40 with John Goodwin took the side close to the 164 needed for the losing draw dividend.

The side was disrupted when skipper Graham Munday had to pull out on the day of the match and Mike Dibble marshalled a bowling attack, only one of whom, Robbie Fowler, was over the age of 16 – in fact more than double that.

Key to Plymstock’s big score of 245-7 was the hitting of James Williams who went on to make 67 after being dropped behind the wicket off House early in his innings.

Sidmouth had been gifted an early bonus when Toby Seldon’s first ball, a full toss, was hit straight to Anthony Dibble at mid-off. The catcher went on to be Sidmouth’s most successful bowler with 3-52.

The absence of an 11th man meant there were gaps in the field for Plymstock to plunder, but in the main the bowlers maintained a good discipline. There were wickets for House, Jamie Briggs and Callum Bray and Fowler regularly beat the bat without luck.

Harvey Sargent was soon at the crease when Sidmouth batted and again showed what great potential he has in a steadying stand with Tom Overthrow.

Fowler went to the top of the side’s six-hitting table with two in his innings of 26, ended when another big hit was well caught on the boundary edge. His knock gave the innings some impetus and House, who also launched a big six, maintained the chase for the draw points until the final few balls and Sidmouth were 153-7 at the close.