SIDMOUTH maintained second place in the Francis Clark Devon League Premier Division with a routine win which featured a strong all-round performance from Neil Hancock, writes John Goodwin.

Clean bowling three of his victims, he had figures of 4-19 from 10 overs before making 44 not out as Sidmouth overhauled Bradninch's 153 with six wickets intact.

Hancock was on as first change after five overs and bowled Bradley Cachopa with his second ball.

His third over accounted for Dan Hardy, caught behind by Ben Gledhill, and Tim Piper's timbers were rattled to make it 49-3.

With Miles Dalton's spin as a foil at the other end, the runs which had flowed freely early in the innings dried up and at the 25-over halfway point Bradninch were at 60-4.

Gary Chappell and Ross Acton threatened to halt the rot until the latter became a Bess family victim, caught Zach, bowled Josh, for 26.

Where others had struggled, Chappell showed some mastery after a cautious start and struck four fours and a six before being last man out for 52 after the Bradninch tail imploded in the face of Will Murray and Hancock in a returning spell.

Four wickets fell in five overs for 13 runs and Murray finished with 3-43 and Dalton 2-27. Both maintained the trend for straight bowling, hitting the stumps for all their wickets.

Sidmouth's reply began shakily with openers Anthony Griffiths and Josh Bess back in the pavilion with the score at 19. Gledhill and Hancock restored order with 42 for the third wicket.

Progress was maintained, and 47 from the fourth wicket partnership between Hancock and Zach Bess and Saj Patidar helped finish the job off, reaching 27 not out.

?Tomorrow Sidmouth head for Tiverton to face Heathcoat.