Sidmouth 2nds were empathic winners under new skipper Nick Gingell as Bovey Tracey II were out to the sword at Fortfield on the opening day of a new Francis Clark Devon League, writes Stephen Birley.

There’s little doubt that this is one of the strongest 2nd XI sides that Sidmouth has been able to field for some time and the collective performance on day one suggests a successful season ahead!

Gingell won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat on what was a damp wicket.

Will Gater and James Pickard were given the new ball duties, the latter making a welcome return to cricket after a number of years concentrating on golf.

It was Pickard who made the initial breakthrough in the sixth over. Pickard struck again in the 16th over thanks to a superb diving catch by Harvey Sargent. The seamer went on to pick up a third wicket and finished with impressive figures of 3-18 from his nine over shift.

The introduction of spinners Miles Dalton and Matt Cooke was aided by some smart work with the gloves by wicketkeeper Matt Hewer, who claimed four stumpings, saw the visitors slip deep into trouble!

Cooke ended with four wickets for just six runs from six overs and Dalton sent down 8.1 overs and claimed 3-22 as Bovey were bundled out for 88 after 36 overs.

The reply was completed in double quick time with just the one wicket falling, that of Cooke, trapped leg before for 21 in the 16th over.

Dan Powell was not out 48 with five fours and one six and Matt Hewer (10) was the other not out batsman at the close.

On Saturday the team travel to Plympton II.