WITH chasers Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth rained off and Bovey Tracey losing to Heathcoat, Sidmouth put one-hand on the runners-up place in the Devon League Premier Division with a routine win over relegated Paignton, writes John Goodwin.

Leaders North Devon's game at Plymouth was also rained off and the 19 points Sidmouth netted saw them get to within 27 points of the top place with two games left.

There is a 15-point gap between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton who tomorrow play fourth-placed Bovey Tracey, 27 points behind Sidmouth.

Sidmouth visit Plymouth tomorrow believing that the best they can hope for is to consolidate second place, but were Exmouth to come away from North Devon with a win it could add a little spice to the last day of the season when Sidmouth host Bovey and North Devon make the trip to Budleigh Salterton.

Play at the Fort Field on Saturday began two hours late at 3pm after a concerted mopping up operation and the match was a 33-over affair.

Josh Bess was soon in the wickets, removing both openers to put the visitors at 23-2.

When Neil Hancock took over from him. he struck in his first over, but the bowler who really prevented Paignton posting a challenging total was Miles Dalton who took 3-17.

Paignton stumbled from 88-5 to 94-9, but the the last pair of Callum Stanley and Liam Bryan could not be shifted and Sidmouth had to be content with four bowling points.

To pick up maximum batting points Sidmouth could afford to lose only two wickets chasing 112 to win but openers Anthony Griffiths and Josh Bess showed little restraint in putting on 49 in six overs before the former fell for 18.

Bess was out for 34 with the score on 71 but Hancock and Luke Bess saw the side home in just over 16 overs, with a little benevolence from Paignton's fielders. Hancock reached 38 and Bess 12.