Sidmouth III suffered a second successive defeat of the new Tolchards Devon League 2nd XI B Division East season when they went down by eight wickets at the idyllic cricket setting of Shobrooke Park.

Losing the toss and being invited to bat first, Sidmouth made changes at the top of the order and opened with the experience of Tom Overthrow and Sam Adams.

The pair made a solid start before Overthrow was run out for two looking to pinch a ‘quick single’

Skipper Graham Munday was next in, but he lost Adams for five soon after. Matthew Clark was next man in, but he too perished once he had five on the board. Lewis Aidey joined Munday and the pair batted steadily before Adey was sent back with six runs to his name.

One Adey was replaced by another with son Louis taking over as a partner for skipper Munday.

The youngster and the experienced skipper batted very well, adding 102 with both reaching half centuries – in young Adey’s case it was his maiden senior 50!

As the run rate increased Munday fell to a fine catch held in the deep on the boundary rope.

Ashleigh Perram, making his first appearance in several years, added a good 13 before being bowled, but his partnership with Adey junior did see another 24 runs added to the total.

Lee Claydon faced the final delivery and managed to get two runs from it and Sidmouth trooped off after their 45 overs with a total of 181-6 and Louis Adey unbeaten on 71.

After tea Sidmouth took the field hoping for early wickets. Claydon and Luke Raistrick took the new ball, but found it hard against two good batsman and the early wickets did not come. However, Sidmouth stuck to their task, but the home side kept the score board moving at a steady speed. Munday rolled his bowlers around and introduced Jordan Fowler and Sam Adams, but they struggled to get the breakthrough which resulted in spin at both ends with Munday operating in tandem with young Fowler.

It was the skipper who made the breakthrough in the 25th over, but by then the score had already reached 107. Three overs later Fowler struck to leave Shobrooke Park 118-2.

Louis Adey was introduced, as was Matt Clark, but there were to be no further wickets and side crossed the winning line with two overs to spare.

Undoubtedly the Sidmouth downfall in this match was number of extras that they shipped in the game. Thanks are due to Ian French for umpiring and this Saturday (May 20), Bradninch 2nd XI provide the opposition in Mid Devon.