A SECOND successive five-wicket haul for Zach Bess set up a maximum points victory for Sidmouth over Bradninch and saw them extend their lead at the top of the Francis Clark Premier Division, writes John Goodwin.

Chasing sides Bovey Tracey and Exmouth could not get a batting point between them in their clash which saw the latter win by 53 runs after posting 110.

Bess’s 5-20 in 10 overs helped restrict Bradninch to 139 and Liam Lewis’s unbeaten 65 at opener allowed the Fort Field side to coast home in 37 overs.

It was Josh Bess who got Bradninch into initial trouble with wickets in consecutive overs to remove openers Chris Acton and James Street and have the visitors at 17-2. The next over from Sam Anderson saw Matt Golding bowled and there was to be no recovery.

Zach’s golden arm brought him a wicket with his first ball when Garry Chappell got an edge that was held behind the wicket by Peter Randerson.

His first spell ended with figures of 2-9 in six overs and he was to return to clean out the Bradninch tail.

Bradninch’s best period came when seventh wicket pair Tim Piper and Ross Acton put on 41 to get the score to 99.

Piper was 55 not out when last man Paul Nott was run out on the last ball of the innings.

It was a tidy bowling and fielding display by Sidmouth who conceded only two wides.

Ross Acton bowled Matt Cooke for nine when the Sidmouth reply had reached 23 and Chappell got through Anthony Griffiths’ defences when he had 13 to his name and the home score had passed the 50 mark.

That was the only joy for the visitors as Lewis, batting at an easy pace, was joined by Josh Bess who hit 37 in 46 balls to see Sidmouth home.

Sidmouth now have 210 points to Exmouth’s 196 with Bovey on 192. Sidmouth and Exmouth meet on the last day of the season but the Fort Field side can create a good cushion going into the last game if they beat Heathcoat at home tomorrow.