MATTHEW Raistrick guided Newton Poppleford to a hard-fought East Devon Indoor Cricket League victory over Ottery St Mary by scoring nine of the last two deliveries of the match, writes John Goodwin.

Newton Poppleford got to the last over needing 12 to win with last pair Alan Cardwell and George House at the crease and Raistrick already retired with 25 to his name.

House was out first ball and Cardwell and Raistrick traded singles off the next three deliveries sent down by Duncan Bradshaw-Smith. Rasitrick hoisted the penultimate ball for six and then scampered a three to reach 39 not out and seal a two-wicket win.

Ottery’s total of 101-5 was centred on opener James Faulkner’s 35 not out. Faulkner did his best to restrict Newton Poppleford by sending down three overs for 12 runs and holding two catches.

?Josh Bess retired twice on making 25 as Sidmouth put together a match-winning total of 157-2 against Clyst St George.

Opener Anthony Dibble was run out without facing a ball, but Bess and Anthony Griffiths dismissed that setback as they both passed 25. Charlie Miles followed suit and, when Nick Mansfield was victim to another run-out, Bess returned for his second helping, leaving the fray again after passing 50 in 21 balls, five of which were struck for six.

Griffiths went on to make 42 not out and John Goodwin was unbeaten on 14.

Clyst made a good fist of the reply, eventually being all out for 120.

Top scorer Clinton Lewis, with 31, was one of four players run out but Sidmouth will want to cut down their wides contribution - 14 on this occasion.

?Sidmouth and Clyst Hydon, who both finished the East Devon Indoor League qualifying competition on equal points, are still awaiting news about which of them will go forward to the county finals on Sunday, February 5.

?The clash of the two Clyst Hydon sides saw the first team skate home by six wickets in four overs with only 44 to get. Ian Sutton made 26 of them.

Newton St Cyres took 10 overs to pass the 94-3 set by Yarcombe & Stockland.

They got home by one wicket thanks to Dave Pearce’s unbeaten 22.

For Yarcombe Neil Fuzzard made 27 not out.