Sidmouth III skipper Graham Munday and Robbie Powell combined to set a new Francis Clark Devon League record on a sun-kissed day at Newton Poppleford against Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough.

Munday won the toss and opted to bat in what appeared ideal conditions. However, the innings suffered a big blow when opener Tom Overthrow edged the third ball of the innings onto his stumps!

Opener Powell was joined by Munday and the pair played themselves in to such a degree that both were unbeaten at the close having put on 325 for the unbroken second wicket.

The partnership broke the previous best 2nd XI B Division second wicket record which had been 276 – set by a South Devon pairing in 2013.

What’s more the partnership was a single run less than the all-time recorded record for any wicket partnership in both 1st and 2nd XI second XI league cricket – that remains the 326 for the E Division East opening wicket set in 2009 by a Whimple II pairing against Exeter Civil Service.

Munday, dropped early in his innings at mid-wicket, went on to score an unbeaten 148 whilst Powell finished unbeaten on 166.

When Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough batted Lee Clayden made the early break thorugh aided by a smart catch behind from wicketkeeper Powell. That proved to be the only wicket Clayden bagged and he finished with figures of 1-42 fro seven overs.

Bruce Robson was the other new ball bowler and, though wicket less, he did return tidy figures in economy terms, of 0-24 in nine.

The first change was the introduction of spin and Toby Seldon snared a brace of wickets to finish with figures of 2-29 fro nine. Mark Stoyle was next to turn his arm over. He was wicketless with his five overs going for a reasonable 24 runs.

Next change saw Sidmouth College youngster Jordan Fowler come on to bowl and he delivered good line and length, twice hitting the off stump and he also picked up a third wicket with a smart return catch! Fowler’s figures were 3-34 from eight overs.

Rob Taskel also claimed wickets finishing with figures of 2-17 from seven overs as the visitors closed on 185-8.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Sidmouth III travel to Cornwood III who will start the day sitting fifth, two places and 33 points below Munday’s side in the table.