MISERLY bowling coupled with some good fortune helped Sidmouth progress to the quarter finals of the Devon Senior Cup by beating Bradninch, writes John Goodwin.

Defending 151-9 made on a damp Bradninch track, Sidmouth were grateful for Will Murray’s 4-14, Matt Cooke’s 3-11 and Sam Anderson twice diverting drives on to the wicket to run out non-striking batsmen.

This prevented Bradninch steaming towards victory and they ended up 25 runs adrift of the visitors’ total.

Sidmouth’s innings got a much-needed eighth wicket boost from Zach and Luke Bess, the former making 40 not out. Higher up the order Anderson made 25 and Liam Lewis 32.

Paul Tweddle struck 40 off 29 balls to kickstart the Bradninch reply and at 70-2 after 15 overs they looked destined to dispose of the cup holders.

But Murray continued where he had left off the previous week in the truncated league match on the same ground and got fine back-up from Cooke.

With five overs left, Bradninch were 118-6 and still in with a chance, but eight runs later they were all out.

Anderson’s two deflections were from drives by Ross Acton, who made 25.

Tomorrow, Sidmouth have a derby game against Exmouth who lie in second place, one place above them, in the Francis Clark Devon Premier League.

The match marks the half way stage in the league season which has yet to see Sidmouth playing to their potential.

However, a good result against their coastal rivals could see them well-placed to mount a serious challenge to leaders Bovey Tracey, 22 points ahead of them, in the second half.

A vastly superior run rate gave Sidmouth victory at Knightshayes against Heathcoat last week as rain again prevented a natural end to proceedings.

The result saw them into third place, 15 points behind Exmouth.

Heathcoat, despite the diligent efforts of their captain, Chris Small, who made an unbeaten 68, never recovered from being 13-3 and laboured to 139-7 off a full 50-over quota.

With Josh Bess excused bowling duties, Will Gater opened the attack with Sam Anderson and looked to be returning to some sort of form, finishing with 1-24 off his 10 overs.

Anderson took 2-25, but it was Will Murray who returned the best figures with 2-15 on a surface that offered batsmen few favours.

The reply did not go precisely to plan, Bess departing without a run on the board.

Anderson then hogged the scoreboard, hitting the next 21 runs before he was bowled to give Paul Elliot his second wicket.

Anthony Griffiths and Liam Lewis, playing against his former club, got Sidmouth to 118-2, not without some alarms, before the umpires called a halt to proceedings after 33 overs.