Devon Cricket Board - Budleigh off mark at last

Budleigh off mark at last

BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy tried hard not to get carried away after his cellar-dwellng side defeated defending champions Sidmouth by three wickets.

Budleigh hadn’t won a game prior to meeting Sidmouth and were in danger of getting cast adrift at the bottom of the table.

Budleigh remain bottom, but the gap between them and Cornwood is only 11 points while Bradninch and safety are just two points further ahead.

Victory has been a long time coming – but with Cornwood to play this Saturday there is a chance Budleigh are on the up at long last. Just don’t tell Murphy.

“One win is a start and means we are not nine and none going into the second half of the season,” said Murphy.

“Had we lost to SIdmouth and been nine and none, it would have been difficult for us to catch up in the second half of the season.

“The other sides losing around us definitely helped, but it is important not to get carried away. We are still bottom.

“What I would say is if we can play with the same passion and intensity we did against Sidmouth, then we can get out of trouble.”

Sidmouth were bowled out for 140 in the 35^th of their 50 overs – James Burke (4-41) and Bob Dawson (3-26) doing the bulk of the damage. Matt Kidd (2-26) did his share as well.

“It was good to see Bob and Burkie bowling at their best again – Burkie was as good as I have ever seen,” said Murphy.

“James bowled straight and full – he got Liam Lewis and Josh Bess with cracking yorkers – and credit to Kiddy as well who maybe deserved another wicket or two.”

SIdmouth were 86 for nine when Scott Barlow was dismissed and an early finish looked on the cards

Last pair Charlie Miles (35no) and Dom Bess (22) kept Budleigh out in the field longer than expected while putting on 54.

Budleigh were always up with the run-rate in reply, but after a promising start familiar frailties in the batting started to show.

Budleigh’s 91 for two – Burke and Stuart Langridge (33) going along nicely – became 95 for five as Josh Bess got among the middle order batters.

Burke stayed there to make a patient 46 off 108 balls and when Liam Lewis prised him out the mantle passed to the Murrins.

Dad Neil took some rough stuff from the Sidmouth bowlers but survived to make 16 not out. Son Lloyd was 13 not out when the line was crossed.

“James batted with a circumspection you don’t normally associate with him – absolutely right for the match,” said Murphy.

“I can’t praise the Murrins highly enough for sticking at it and seeing us through. Lloyd did something similar when we played Sidmouth last year. Seems they bring the best out of him.”

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