Sidmouth 2nds maintained their three-point lead at the top of the 2nd XI Premier Division table with an eight wicket win at Plympton.

With Nick Gingell promoted into the 1st XI Saj Patidar was once again at the helm, but he lost the toss and saw the home skipper opt to bat first.

Joe Griffths found instant line and length and took an early wicket after which the home team settled and made their way, albeit in laboured fashion, to 70 for the loss of that one wicket.

A change in bowling with Miles Dalton and Charlie Dibble into the attack did not release the stranglehold Sidmouth held on proceedings. With the surface conducive to spin, three wickets fell in relatively quick succession

There was a surreal moment during then game when an elderly couple ventured onto the outfield as part of their ‘walk’. Once they had been advised of a game being in progress they began to leave the playing are, but took so long that play resumed with them still some 15 yards from the boundary rope!

Further changes in the attack saw the introduction of Dec Lines and Toby Seldon and both claimed a brace of wickets as the home batting effort fell away badly to a close of 132. The final wicket was truly memorable as it came about thanks to a spectacular one handed catch by Dan Powell leaping salmon-like to take the ball high above his head.

The Sidmouth run chase proved to be about as routine as run chases go with Dan Powell and Nick Mansfield each recording half centuries before a comfortable victory was sealed.

With second place Plymouth II also banking a maximum haul of points the title race continued to be a close fought affair. This Saturday (July 11). Match day 11 of the 18 week Tolchards League season, sees Sidmouth host basement side Sandford whilst Plymouth go to fifth placed Paignton.