Sidmouth III claimed a fourth win of the league season and climbed to fourth spot in the Tolchards Drinks Devon League B Division East with a 36-run win over Seaton 2nds at Newton Poppelford.

Batting first, Sidmouth lost Tom Overthrow, Anthony Cox and Craig Stephens with just 21 runs on the board.

Teenager Byron Knowles joined the experienced Graham Munday and they first steadied the Sidmouth ship, before taking the attack to the Seaton bowlers and despatched the ball to all parts of the Newton Poppelford outfield.

Knowles survived a couple of times as Seaton fielders spilled catches, but he first eased passed a maiden senior cricket half century – as did his senior partner Munday – before the youngster reached his first senior century.

The pair eventually saw their side to a close of 258-3, creating a new divisional record for the fourth wicket, their partnership being an unbroken one of 237 runs with Knowles ending unbeaten on 124 from 125 deliveries, hitting 21 fours and one six while Munday was unbeaten on 93 from 116 balls with a dozen fours and two sixes.

A target of 259 to win was not beyond a strong Seaton side, particularly as Sidmouth groundsman Colin Whitehall had obviously prepared another ‘road’ of a track at Newton Poppleford.

Skipper Munday used eight different bowler in his bid to clean up the reply, but Seaton closed with two wickets still in tact, though some way behind in terms of runs.

For Sidmouth, the spin of teenager Jordan Fowler slowed down the run rate – his nine overs seeing him return impressive figures of 2-18 while the other six wickets to fall went to single bowlers.

Mention must be made of the shift put in by wicketkeeper Kenny Clay who claimed three catches and made a smart stumping, but the day belonged to teenager centurion Byron Knowles. Well batted, Byron and congratulations from all at Sidmouth CC on reaching the milestone of your first senior century.

On Saturday (June 24), Munday’s men are on the road with a trip to Mid Devon to face Thorverton 2nds.