Sidmouth and XI defeated North Devon by 22 runs on the Fortfield in what turned into a battle of the former captains, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Saj Patidar, a former Sidmouth 1st XI skipper, top scored for the 2nd XI with 91 in a total of 201 for nine.

Rob Ayre, who won a Premier Division 1st XI title as North Devon captain in 2007, led the visitors’ reply with 98.

Getting Ayre out was the match-winning factor and it was Patidar who did it before it was too late.

Patidar went out to bat at first wicket down following the demise of Issac Thomas (24) – run out after a mix-up with new skipper Declan Lines.

Lines (28) soon after and for the rest of the innings Patidar held sway.

Patidar was dismissed with two overs to go, leaving super veteran John Goodwin to nurdle the last few runs to bring up 200 and maximum batting points.

Ayre set off in hot pursuit of the total, although Lines (3-39) and Toby Seldon (2-26) chipped away at the other end,

Patidar swung the match back Sidmouth’s way when he removed Ayre at 165 for six and the tail obligingly folded.