SIDMOUTH left the Devon Indoor Cricket competition at the semi final stage against Bovey Tracey despite a brave bowling and fielding display to defend a meagre total of 69, writes John Goodwin.

Bovey sneaked home by one wicket, but not without a number of scares as three stumping chances and a run-out opportunity went begging.

Sidmouth were inserted on the bouncy Devon Cricket Centre pitch and made a sound start until Miles Dalton was bowled in the fourth over with the score on 34.

Anthony Griffiths was caught behind one short of the 25 retirement mark and, from then on, runs were hard to come by.

Charlie Miles and Nick Mansfield got their side to the final over, but were out to its first two balls to give Peter Bradley figures of 3-8. Matt Kidd had 2-10 and wicketless Chris Bradley conceded 12 runs.

Bovey found the batting conditions just as trying and, but for a couple of no balls from Josh Bess, would have gone 13 balls without scoring.

Nick Mansfield sent six of them down for a maiden and for much of the innings Bovey were behind the required rate. Anthony Griffiths manufactured a run-out by kicking the ball from square leg to the non-striker's end and, when Dalton pouched a reaction catch at short gully, Bovey were five wickets down and still needing 10.

Pete Bradley, who was briefly away from the action after making 25, returned to guide his side home but not without alarm against Miles and Dalton who both created stumping chances spurned by John Goodwin.

In the final Bovey were 63 all out in reply to Cornwood's 108-4 giving the victors the title for the second successive year.