The weather once again was the final winner last Saturday as Sidmouth 3rd XI were denied by rain after making a positive start attempting to overhaul Bovey Tracey.

The weather once again was the final winner last Saturday as Sidmouth 3rd XI were denied by rain after making a positive start attempting to overhaul Bovey Tracey's 176 for 9 in a match already curtailed to 46 overs per side because of a wet wicket, the victim of prolonged Friday night rainfall.Sidmouth captain Mike Dibble did not hesitate to invite table topping Bovey Tracey to bat on a damp track and opening bowlers George Lister and Nick Gomersall got some early movement. Unfortunately Lister, in particular, was unable to exert real pressure as he gave away too many extras through wide deliveries. He did, however, bowl some really good balls and deserved his three wickets for a cost of 61 runs. Paris Pinney also took three wickets, for 29, in only his second spell back after injury. The fielding highlight was a magnificent one-handed diving catch by wicketkeeper Robbie Powell, standing back to Lister. There were also wickets for Gomersall, the excellent Greg Chaplin, who bowled 10 overs for 22 runs, and Charlie Miles who was asked to bowl at the death and did a sterling job. Sidmouth's reply was on 46 when the drizzle got heavier and the umpires took the teams off. Dibble was on 22 and Bob Macey on 14 when the match was abandoned as a draw.This weekend a much changed team travel to Hatherleigh for the first time for a number of years. Several players with healthy appetites will have their stamina well and truly tested. Paris Pinney, who almost missed out on the sandwiches last weekend, should have no such trauma at a ground where the tea ladies are on a rota and take great pride in outdoing one another!