Sidmouth 2nds continue to march on at the top of the 2nd XI Premier Division table

Two season firsts helped Sidmouth’s 2nd XI earn a comprehensive victory over Plymouth. Matt Hewer registered the first century of the season and Nick Mansfield claimed the first five wicket haul as their team won by an 85-run margin, claiming 21 points in the process thanks to Charlie Dibble’s declaration.

Losing the toss and batting first, Sidmouth made a fine start as Hewer and Saj Patidar raised 117 for the first wicket from just 20 overs. Patidar was the first to depart with 65 to his name, made at better than a run a ball. Dan Powell (23) replaced him and helped Hewer to add another 50 partnership before he and brother Robbie departed in quick succession. This brought Greg Chaplin to the crease for his first 2nd team game since returning from university. Chaplin was fresh from a hundred in the 3rd team and looked in great touch, hitting an unbeaten 35 from just 23 balls and adding the 3rd significant partnership of the innings with Hewer; an unbroken 73.

Hewer played the anchor role to the innings, supporting his colleagues well and enabling those around him to play freely. He fully deserved his century which, thankfully, was reached just before the declaration point; a declaration that ultimately enabled Sidmouth to attain a further 2 bonus points.

Taking the field after tea, Sidmouth started with their usual scattering of wides, enabling Plymouth to reach 25 while barely laying bat on ball. Robbie Powell broke the spell with a direct hit run out from cover point, which was closely followed by Nick Mansfield finding his range. 5 wickets followed in 4 overs as Mansfield, single-handedly and noisily, reduced Plymouth to 41 for 6. Pick of his wickets was a very good low return catch, taken in his follow through, to dismiss Joe Cunningham.

Alistair Bartlett also located his radar and supported Mansfield well, beating the bat on several occasions, and can consider himself unlucky to have finished wicket-less. Once this pair finished their spells Plymouth’s young pairing of John Cummings and Dan Goodey showed some stubborn resistance against Sidmouth’s slower bowlers and added a determined partnership of 71 to spare their team’s blushes. Wickets for Dibble and Chris Collings, helped by a third catch for Mansfield, followed and Plymouth closed well short of their target on 160 for 8.

Man of the match and the first repeat award of ‘The Jazzy’ this season went to Matt Hewer.

On Saturday the side travel to Bovey Tracey looking to maintain their 17-point lead at the top of the table.