Sidmouth pulled away at the head of the 2nd XI premier division table with a seven-wicket win over Sandford, skipper Saj Patidar making an unbeaten 112, writes John Goodwin.

Sidmouth pulled away at the head of the 2nd XI premier division table with a seven-wicket win over Sandford, skipper Saj Patidar making an unbeaten 112.Stand-in opening bowlers Zak Bess and Matt Cooke both had early success when Sandford were inserted, Cooke's wicket coming courtesy of a diving slip catch by Sam Richardson.Fielding standards started to slip, however, with two straightforward catches going down and throws going awry. Sandford took advantage and had 130-4 on the board with 30 of the 50 overs gone, Brian Leach scoring freely.When Sidmouth regained their catching touch, wickets began to tumble as lofted drives were safely pouched by Charlie Dibble, Fraser Hanson and Bess.Hanson, with 4-17 as fourth change bowler, polished off the Sandford innings with the total at 201.Sidmouth lost three wickets reaching victory in 37 overs, Jamie Wardrop spooning up a wide ball to gully, Cooke hitting a full toss to mid off and Richardson failing to keep a half volley drive down.Patidar, with 16 fours and two sixes, remained in charge and found a willing partner in Hanson, who hit six fours in his 32, to put on 67 for the unbroken fourth wicket.The sides face North Devon on Saturday, the 1st XI travelling to Instow and the 2nd XI hosting their visitors at Bicton College with the Fort Field given over to Folk Festival car parking.Sidmouth 3rd XI, who two weeks ago were contemplating a relegation battle, are now eyeing the top of the table having climbed to fifth place with a convincing win over Shobrooke Park in the 2nd XI A Division.Consistently swinging the ball, Tim Drake took 4-24 and received good support from Graham Munday, with 2-10, and Graham Bess, 2-48, as Shobrooke were dismissed for 130.David Watkins made 20 and fellow opener Tom Bowring 19 before they made way for Sean Priestley and Bess to complete the job in 30 overs.Tomorrow struggling Abbotskerswell, dismissed for 24 in their match last week against Axminster, are the 3rd XI's opponents. It's a home match for Sidmouth, but they have hired Halberton's ground in Mid Devon due to the 2nd XI commandeering their usual Bicton College venue.