East Devon's two unbeaten teams met in the MCC Cup in a midweek game at the Fortfield.

East Devon's two unbeaten teams met in the MCC Cup in a midweek game at the Fortfield.Sidmouth, batting first, were pinned down by a fiery opening salvo from the visitors' bowling attack and, with the normally dependable Anthony Dibble and Dan Powell back in the pavilion with only 44 on the board, this game was never going to be easy.Dominic Bess again displayed his batting ability, scoring 23 before being bowled by an absolute corker of a delivery that spun past his bat and legs onto the wicket! However, the remaining batsmen, whilst gaining invaluable experience, did not trouble the scorer too much and it was left to some erratic late order bowling to move Sidmouth's score onto a defendable total of 92 for 7.Thorverton soon knew that they were in a battle when Isaac Thomas bowled their dangerous opening batsmen in the opening over.To add to the visitors' nerves, Dec Lines took a superb catch at mid on to give Thomas a second wicket. The tie was getting interesting with Thorverton 4 for 2 wickets after 3 overs! Accurate bowling from Jamie Briggs (3 overs for 13) kept the pressure on. Only a fine third wicket stand swung the game back in the visitors' favour as they reached 55 for 2, before the ever-lively Dan Powell swooped on a tentative drive to mid-wicket and arrowed the ball into the reliable Anthony Dibble for a superb run out. Dibble struck again the following over with a sharp stumping and Sids sensed an unlikely victory until Thorverton struck the winning runs with an over left.That the game went to the final over was testament to some superb fielding and good line and length bowling from Sidmouth.Whilst rightly disappointed not to progress in this tournament, on another day the result could have been very different.What better way to react to the previous night's disappointment than to hand out a master class in batting. Sidmouth U13s showed no mercy as they piled on the runs against Axminster. Powell (13), Dibble (31), Bess 28 not out and a return to form for Dec Lines, 26 not out, ensured that the Colts made the most of a good batting track, and a determination to get back to the winning mentality.Opening the attack, Thomas and Griffiths bowled their best eight overs of the season to date, taking four wickets for 17 runs, with Griffiths removing the dangerous Matt Rocket who did not see the ball that removed his middle stump from the ground. He finished after four overs with two maidens, three wickets for nine runs! Briggs added to his total with another fine stumping by Dibble (who continues the reputation of noisy wicketkeepers!), and the 'Georges', House and Barber, took one apiece. Callum Bray (3 overs for 15) and Lee Clayden (2 overs for 11), whilst not taking a wicket in this game, were both instrumental in keeping the batting side to a low score.Good fielding led to two run outs as the lads begin to realise that the many hours of "pick up and throw" training on Friday nights can and does make a difference in a match situation.Sidmouth ended on 145 for 2, Axminster 92 for 9 in the East Devon League match.