SIDMOUTH and North Devon have to find another date for the Ivor Dewdney Devon T20 final after Sunday’s Finals Day at Exeter was washed out, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

North Devon defeated Torquay by 44 runs in the first semi-final.

Sidmouth dodged the showers to beat Plymouth by seven wickets in the second semi-final

Plymouth made 110 for eight in their 20 overs – Marnus Labuschagne top scoring on 35 – which never looked enough to bother Sidmouth unduly.

After one break for rain Sidmouth got to 105 for three in reply when the umpires took the players off again.

When the players went back out it only took two balls to wrap up victory – four byes speeding Sidmouth into the final.

Plymouth found Sidmouth’s seam attack difficult to get on top of with Scott Barlow, Josh Bess and Will Murray in ultra mean form.

James Toms (16), Ben Stein (17) supported Labuschagne, but after the South African was fifth out at 81 the runs rate slowed.

Sidmouth got off to a rocket start with Nick Gingell (38no) and Liam Lewis (31) hoisting 42 in the first two overs.

The bulk of the runs were taken off Dave Burke (0-27), who was finding the wrong spot outside off-stump. Rob Bennett (0-30) got some treatment as well.

Lewis, Anthony Griffiths, Josh Bess went all perished on the chase, but the momentum was with Sidmouth now.

Peter Randerson was 14 not out with Gingell when the winning post was passed.

The problem facing competition organiser Geoff Coish and the captains is how to squeeze a replay into a restricted time frame.

The Devon final is a qualifier for the regional plays off scheduled for August 11 – two Sundays away.

North Devon are due to play a North Devon League game this Sunday, which needs to be rearranged to allow the T20 final to be played.

If the NDL say ‘no’ North Devon and Sidmouth will attempt to find a neutral venue – Sandford has been suggested - for a midweek final.

A further complication is that Sidmouth are already through to the semi-finals of the 40-over Devon KO Cup, due to be played at home on August 11, the same day as the regional play-off.

If Sidmouth win the T20 final they would have to postpone the 40-over game by a week and surrender home advantage to Plymouth.

“We could play it the following week but as we are hosting a Devon game against Oxfordshire the same day that would mean playing the semi at Plymouth instead,” said Sidmouth captain Will Murray.

There isn’t too much leeway in the 40-over cup as the final – definitely at Plymouth – will be played on August Bank Holiday Sunday, August 25.