Sidmouth’s acting captain Peter Randerson said Chris Read’s contribution wasn’t the reason his side lost at Paignton, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Former England keeper-batsman Read turned against Sidmouth and hit a brisk 59 in their 12-run win.

Read is skipper of Nottinghamshire’s First Class side, but has stepped aside for Twenty20 games this season.

So while Notts are in the middle of their T20 programme – they played Yorkshire on Friday night – Read was able to catch up with mum Caroline and dad Geoff in Paignton over the weekend.

And while he was at it, Read made a guest appearance for the club he first played for as an 11-year-old in the 3rd XI on the mini-pitch where the hockey club used to play at Queens Park.

“He’s not a bad bloke to bring in, but it wasn’t Chris Read who beat us,” said Randerson, who was deputising for the unavailable Will Murray.

“We didn’t play well, which was hugely disappointing.

“Credit to Paignton: they bowled well and deserved to win to be honest.”

Paignton made 207 for eight in their 50 overs with Read just edging out opener Ollie Higgs (51) as top scorer.

Read and Higgs put in 85 for the third wicket to get Paignton up to 122 for three.

Will Gater (2-32) and Matt Cooke (2-20) slowed things down for a while until Richard Ashworth (22) and Chris Kelmere (20) provided a late surge.

Sidmouth were all out for 195 in reply having made a battling attempt to knock off the runs.

Matt Hewer (31) and Peter Randerson (25) made early runs then Anthony Griffiths led the middle-order effort with 43.

A stand of 42 for the eighth wicket with Central Districts player Andy Mathieson (18) got Sidmouth within 34 runs of victory with five overs to go – stiff but gettable.

George Yates broke the stand by having Ashworth caught behind and when Higgs ran out Griffiths at 194 the chase was as good as up.