Sidmouth III made sure their B Division promotion hopes stayed as they secured a 79-run win over South Devon.

With the Sidmouth ground on Folk Week parking duties the game was played at Woodbury.

Sidmouth were put into bat after losing the toss and early departures of the usual consistent pair of Sargent (6) and Overthrow (7) were beginning to think it was a bad toss to lose. Anthony Dibble managed to boost the run rate up, making 43 runs on what proved to be a difficult wicket to bat on. Griffiths could only make seven before being caught and bowled by Ellis. Munday was next in and showed the rest of the team that correct shot play and execution can make a dent on the scorecard. Munday made 75, including 10 fours and played a match winning innings to make sure the team got over the low par score of 180. Thomas played an excellent supporting role with Munday, rotating the strike and freeing up the arms late to the innings, making 34 from 37. Sidmouth made 197 for 6, a well fought team effort.

Early in the post-tea session Sidmouth received a blow when Tom Overthrow, who had been injured batting, was unable to take to the field.

Playing a man short seemed no hindrance though as Gary Turner bagged a brace of early wickets, returning excellent figures of 2-18 from nine overs.

Clayden bowled equally as well and was only going for runs or less an over to keep the run rate down and picked up a deserved wicket. Thomas was next on to bowl, making his first appearance for Sidmouth this year. Although he didn’t pick up a wicket, Thomas bowled respectable figures and kept the South Devon batters from reaching the boundary. Seldon bowled his finest spell of the season, picking up four wickets and dismissing Shepherd, who looked as if he was going to go on and reach his half century.

Sargent bowled seven overs, going for 28 runs and picked up one wicket whilst Griffiths came on for the remaining overs and, with one wicket to go, bowled Stephens to dismiss South Devon all out for 118 with ten overs remaining.

Tomorrow the third eleven entertain Abbotskerswell at Bicton.