A MATCH which featured a century on each side ended with Kingsbridge 2nd XI defending their 270-8 with nine fielders on the boundary and restricting Sidmouth 3rd XI to 266-5, writes John Goodwin.

On a perfect Bicton pitch bat held sway over ball for most of the match and stumps were finally drawn at 8.23pm with Simon Sobczak 104 not out.

Earlier 13-year-old Harvey Sargent had underlined his potential with a cultured 44, his innings ended when he had to take a detour to avoid his partner, Sobczak, and was run out.

Though his mobility was restricted, Angus Mcvey clubbed 37 in an opening partnership of 61 with Tom Overthrow.

Overthrow and Sargent put up 54 for the second wicket and the pace was maintained when Sobczak replaced Overthrow.

Although dismissed, Overthrow was soon back in the action when Rob Fowler pulled a hamstring and the 65-year-old had to return to the middle as a runner.

Fowler's demise brought Jamie Briggs to the crease and, with Sobczak taking command, this pair took Sidmouth very close to victory. Sixteen were needed off the final over and Briggs raised hopes by driving the first ball for four. After that the boundary was not crossed again and Briggs was run out as the chase became desperate.

Sobczak was unable to conjure up the six needed from the final ball for victory and the match ended with Sidmouth picking up 11 points from the draw and Kingsbridge 13.

Some fine ground fielding by the visitors prevented the hosts from completing a successful chase. Toby Seldon got Sidmouth off to a good start in the field by bowling James Ellis in his first over. Will Pike survived a couple of dropped catches before he was held by Joe Griffiths off Lee Clayden.

While Sidmouth chipped away at the wickets, with Griffiths and Sobczak taking two each and Seldon finishing with three, Edward Church continued to blast to 124 to be the mainstay of the visitors’ innings until Seldon snared him in the final over.