Sidmouth lost their grip on the Francis Clark Devon Premier League title, but not without a fight as they racked up a huge score in their final game of the season at home to Budleigh Salterton.

Needing to win and hope for an unlikely Exmouth failing at Cornwood to retain the top honour, Sidmouth batted first at the Fortfield and powered their way to 365-5 declared after 45 overs.

Matt Cooke led the run spree with a superb 96, unfortunately run out just four short of a deserved century.

All five top order batsmen were in the runs with the next best the 75 from number five Pete Randerson whilst Josh Bess (60), Liam Lewis (59) and Anthony Griffiths (31) also chipped in.

Budleigh’s reply got off to a flying start as they put on 118 for the first wicket.

It was that man Cooke who made the breakthrough thanks to a smart piece of wicket keeping by Randerson. At 274-8 it seemed only a matter of time before Sidmouth cleaned up to bank 22 points but Budleigh skipper Joel Murphy and Lloyd Murrin dug deep and stayed put seeing their side to a close of 310-8.

Will Murray’s men finished the season second, 16 points short of new champions Exmouth.

Make sure of next week’s Sidmouth Herald when we will carry an interview with the Sidmouth skipper looking back on the high’s and lows of the 2013 season.