Sidmouth CC – a round-up of 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI matches on matchday 13 of the Tolchards Devon League season.

Sidmouth 1st XI

Sidmouth back on top after Zach Bess ton against Hatherleigh

Sidmouth are back on top of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League Premier Division after they bagged a maximum point’s win over Hatherleigh at the Fortfield and then learnt of an abandonment in the game involving the morning leaders Heathcoat, at Bradninch.

Batting first on another superb Sidmouth track, Josh Bess (12) fell to a catch with the score on 22 and then fellow opener Dec Lines (21) was also caught to leave the home side 59-2.

Zach Bess joined brother Luke Bess and the pair took the total to 122 when Luke was run out for a 65-ball 56.

Zach was joined by Aviwe Mgijima and the pair began to despatch the ball to all corners of the Fortfield ground.

They put on 134 for the unbroken fourth wicket with Bess not out 101 from 95 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, while Mgijima slammed ten fours in his 47-ball 62 as Sidmouth closed on 262-3 after 46 overs.

Relegation-threatened Hatherleigh lost opener Ziphozokuthula Zondo, bowled by Mgijima with the total on 11 and a brace of wickets for will Murray and one for Charlie Miles, left the reply on 59-4.

The visitors did not recover and slipped to 122 all out in 40.5 overs. Murray took the bowling honours with his return of 3-16 from 10 overs and there were two wickets for Mgijima (2-17 from seven) and Max Hancock (2-34 from 8.5).

With the full-house of 20 points banked and Heathcoat managing only nine from their abandoned fixture at Bradninch, it means Sidmouth now lead the table by six points with Exeter sitting second.

Just 29 points separate the top five with five matches (100 points) to play for in the 2018 Tolchards Devon League top flight season.

On Saturday (August 4), Sidmouth travel to face a Bradninch side that climbed out of the relegation places with the 11 points they banked in that abandoned game with Heathcoat.

As for the other top five sides and who they play: Exeter entertain Exmouth and Heathcoat travel to Bovey Tracey.

After Saturday, the Sidmouth run-in sees them entertain Exeter before they travel to Bovey Tracey after which they host North Devon and then end the season at Exmouth on the first Saturday of September.

Sidmouth II

Weather woes lead to table-topping advantage being cut

Sidmouth 2nds saw their lead at the top of the Tolchards Devon League C Division East chopped to just four points as they were left frustrated with the abandonment of their game at Braunton while nearest rivals Kilmington managed to play to a finish in their game at Feniton.

Robbie Powell, who kept a clean sheet playing in goal for Exmouth Town in a Friday night pre-season friendly 5-0 win over Newton Abbot Spurs, top scored with 33 as Sidmouth, batting first up at Braunton, were bowled out for 122.

Braunton had lost four wickets and had halved the required amount – reaching 61 – when the heavens opened to wash away any chance of a finish in what looked set to be an exciting convulsion.

Byron Knowles bagged all four of the Braunton wickets to return the impressive figures of 4-12.

On Saturday Sidmouth host Exeter while Kilmington got to Alphington before the top two meet at Kilmington on August 11.

Sidmouth III

Moore runs take Sidmouth IIIs clear at the top

Sidmouth III moved 27 points clear at the top of the Tolchards Devon League F Division East after they defeated Seaton II by seven wickets and then learnt of a surprise defeat for title rivals Bradninch II, beaten by five wickets at Honiton.

Batting first at Newton Poppleford, Seaton 2nds were bowled out for 155 with Toby Seldon claiming four wickets and there were two each for Jordan Fowler and George House.

Tom Moore then celebrated his call-up to the Devon Lions side by scoring a splendid unbeaten 89 and Tim Chapman hit 35 as Sidmouth eased to a 10th win in 12 outings.

They have played one more game that second placed Bradninch – and the pair still have to meet at Newton Poppleford in the closing weeks of the campaign, but the divisional title now looks Sidmouth’s to lose.

On Saturday the third team host basement side Shobrooke Park.