Sidmouth began their Fortfield campaign in the Tolchards Devon League with an eight wicket win over Bovey Tracey.

It was the perfect tonic after the miserable opening day hammering away in North Devon.

Skipper Luke Bess called correctly at the toss of the coin and invited his opposite number to bat first.

It proved to be an astute decision for, just 90 minutes later, the visitors had been bundled out for 65.

Billy Gater and Kyle Brockley were given the new ball duties and they were soon making life most uncomfortable for the Bovey batsmen.

Indeed so effective were the opening pair that, between them, they claimed nine of the 10 wickets!

When the pair had bowled out – completed their respective 10 over spells – they had sent back the nine batters for the princely sum of 25 runs and that left the visitors looking at being bowled out for one of the lowest totals in Devon League top flightn history.

The last pair made sure an element of embarrassment was saved as they added 40 before Will Murray broke the partnership.

The Sidmouth batsmen needed just 14 overs to reach the winning line. Bess looked in good touch for 18 before falling to a lifter from Hugo Whitlock, but Sidmouth never looked like bagging anything other than the most comfortable of wins.

Matt Cooke saw the side home with a solid unbeaten 39 and the game was won before the tea had been poured!

Two games into the season and the Fortfield men have had seriously mixed fortunes with the mauling at Instow followed by this comfortable success.

Match day three is currently threatened by the weather. However, if the forecasters have got it wrong then Sidmouth will make the short trip to the Maer ground to take on an Exmouth side that have, like the Fortfield men, lost one and won one this term and have 22 points from their first two outings, three less than Sidmouth.