Sidmouth duly made it three wins from three Francis Clark Devon League top flight games with a comprehensive victory over Cornwood.

The green seaming Fortfield wicket of the week before had transformed into a hard straw coloured strip that looked so much more batting friendly!

Skipper Will Murray won the toss and opted to bat first.

The early exchanges saw Matt Cooke stroke two crisp boundaries through cover, one a full flurry of hands and the second a mere block, timed so well it raced to the line.

Fellow opener Liam Lewis looked equally at home and the pair put on a splendid 168 for the opening wicket; the second time in three outings this term the duo have put on 150 plus!

Such was the dominance of bat over ball that just two of the visitor’s 50-overs were maidens!

Cooke once again fell in the 90’s looking to keep the scoreboard going for the team rather than looking at personal milestones.

As often happens in lengthy partnerships both batsmen followed each other to the pavilion with Lewis departing for 73.

There were cameos from Josh Bess (27), Luke Bess (25) and Pete Randerson (17) and the innings

closed on 301-6.

It was the previous week’s fivefer star, Scott Barlow, who made the early break through sending back both openers, each caught smartly by Josh Bess.

From 4-2 the visitors cause looked hopeless; through they did rally before being bowled out in the 44th over for 163.

On top of his two smart slip catches, Bess was also responsible for a run out, as was skipper Will Murray.

Will Gater bagged a brace of wickets (2-19), but the best figures were produced by Liam Lewis, completing fine all-round contribution with 3-17.

Skipper Murray said: “It was another very thorough performance. I had been concerned that given how good the wicket was we might have had a problem getting thorough them (Cornwood). Thankfully the bowlers were really in the zone and I could not be happier with three wins from three at the start of the campaign.” Tomorrow Sidmouth travel to Bradninch.