With the Sidmouth festival of water expected deluge subsiding with just enough time left to prepare a wicket, Sidbury welcomed Newton Poppleford to the Millfield .

With the Sidmouth festival of water's expected deluge subsiding with just enough time left to prepare a wicket, Sidbury welcomed Newton Poppleford to the Millfield for what turned out to be another nail-biter between two local rivals.

Sidbury captain Bishop broke his duck and won the toss, wasting no time in asking the visitors to bat. Opening bowlers Nick Baxter and James Hills found their line and length, quickly restricting Newton to just 27 runs in the first 16 overs and each picking up a wicket.

Hills finishing with the outstanding analysis of 8-4-6-1, and Baxter with 8-4-16-1. In the past Sidbury have failed to capitalise on such opportunities, but this was not to be the case.

The introduction of leg spinner Tom Spencer to the attack soon yielded two quick wickets when he dismissed Coombs (7) and then Clay (5), both wickets courtesy of excellent catches in the deep by Baxter and Liam Kubaczka.

In his fifth over Spencer then ended opener Last's (2) long vigil, leaving Newton precariously placed at 47-5 with just 15 overs remaining. Sidbury then ran into some spirited resistance from Cardwell (23) and Burton (29) before Cardwell was stumped off the bowling of Spencer and Burton became James 'I haven't bowled for years' Watson's first wicket for the club and giving Spencer career best figures of 8-3-19-4. Watson and Kubaczka accounted for the tail, finishing with 2-1 and 2-2 respectively (Kubaczka's first wickets in any level of cricket.) leaving Newton all out for 116.

Sidbury's chase started well with openers Dave O'Connor and Mark Stoyle adding 25 before O'Connor was bowled for 15 by Mathew Raistrick (8-3-12-2), Hills followed next ball.

Stoyle was joined by Watson and the two added 42 before Watson(15) was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Alex Raistrick.

Stoyle and Chris Higgs added a further 19 runs before Stoyle was bowled by Thomas (8-3-12-1)for 33 and Higgs was run out by another direct hit, this time from Burton, for 15.

At this stage, Sidbury were 92-5 with 12 overs remaining and still looked favourites. But four quick wickets, three of which fell to Burton pulled Newton back into the game. With three overs to go, Sidbury required 14 to win with two wickets in hand.

Marsh bowled Pengelly for one, leaving last pair Baxter and Spencer to try to scrape the winning runs. Keen to avoid a repeat of last week's six run loss at Tipton, they rose to the challenge and Baxter launched first Marsh, and then Burton, for two sixes and Spencer (5*) smashed Marsh for a four over extra cover to tie the scores.

Baxter (18*) finished it off by pulling Burton for four, handing Sidbury victory by the narrowest of margins.

l This Sunday Sidbury play a game against the Sidbury Old Boys at the Millfield.

There will be a barbecue and refreshments available, and weather permitting, some entertaining cricket. All are welcome.