The halfway stage of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League is reached on Saturday (July 1) and Sidmouth host Plymouth fresh from handing out a 172-run hiding to North Devon, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

North Devon skipper Ed Yeo tipped Sidmouth to win the Premier Division after the game, which is some prediction for a side 42 points behind the leaders.

Sidmouth heard that sort of stuff at the start of the season when rival captains predicted the 2016 champions would walk the league.

Skipper Luke Bess was unconvinced then and nothing has changed.

“Its nice to have that said, but it doesn’t mean anything,” said Bess. “We need to focus on our cricket.”

Josh Bess returns to the side with his brother and captain saying: “We will be looking to build on a good team performance last week.”

Plymouth need a win in a hurry to start climbing away from the red zone.

Fahad Ali is in holiday so left-arm spinner Dave Burke is in. Rob Bennett out and Joe Hagan-Burt replaces him.

“Sidnouth, away, will be a tough game as always and they have climbed up the table as expected.

“We need to take our chances this week and put in a good account of ourselves.”