Devon Cricket Board - Lewis and Gingell instrumental in Sidmouth win

Lewis and Gingell instrumental in Sidmouth win

SIDMOUTH are determined not to give up the Premier Division title without a fight – as Heathcoat found out the hard way.
Heathcoat’s total of 306 for seven in 50 overs would normally be a winning total.
Sidmouth, still smarting from the defeat by leaders Torquay that has left them playing catch-up, had other idea though.
Liam Lewis played anchorman with a century against the side he used to skipper to keep Sidmouth in the frame.
Then Nick Gingell slapped the bowling around for 56 off 25 balls in the last 10 overs to get Sidmouth in sight of victory.
In a nail-biting finish, Sidmouth needed two to win with eight wickets gone from the final over and got there with two balls to spare.
Sidmouth trail Torquay by 30 points with three games to go and remain long-odds to retain the title they won last year.
However, if Torquay slip up against Exmouth this Saturday and Sidmouth beat Plymouth, it’s all back in the melting pot.
Heathcoat openers Brad Barnes (83) and Toby Lochead (88) put on 175 in 30 overs for the first wicket.
Andy Mathieson bowled Lochead to break the stand, then ran out Barnes at 194 for two.
Sam Smith (37), Jack Dart (25) and Will Thompson (27) all chipped in towards the final total.
Wicket-taking was tough, although Will Murray (3-56) and Lewis (2-65) had some success.
Lewis led the reply with 112 off 121 balls with 11 fours and three sixes. He put on 93 with Matt Cooke (41), 72 with Anthony Griffiths (44) and 83 with Gingell in a breakneck stand occupying 6.2 overs.
Lewis and Gingell went within the space of six balls as Heathcoat clawed Sidmouth down to 287 for seven.
Skipper Murray (17) was out with two needed to win, which left Matt Hewer to wait for a four-ball from Paul Elliott to hit the winning runs.
Skipper Murray said although it looked dramatic to win in the last over, he was always confident.
“We didn’t bowl well on a flat track so to keep them to around 300, which I felt was par, was a good effort,” said Murray.
“Although Liam batted beautifully, we lost our way in the middle overs until Anthony Griffiths came in.
“Nick Gingell hit the ball as cleanly as I have ever seen – his 50 was off 18 or 19 balls – then I found a few balls to hit to the boundary.
“It was a good game to win, but I was always confident we would.”
Heathcoat’s priority in their final three games is to stay away from the wrong end of the table after suffering four successive defeats.
Saturday’s defeat dropped them to three from bottom, They have a 26-point advantage over second-bottom Paignton, which goes on the line this Saturday when the two sides meet at Knightshayes.
“If we play like we did against Sidmouth, I have no worries about relegation,” said vice-captain Lochead.
“Batsman showed the fight and posted a score, however Sidmouth know how to win tight games and showed that.
“Gingell was the difference. When he came in we were the favourites to win.
“Gingell hit the ball cleanly and when you have him coming in at seven, the game is never over.
“A lot of positives to take into this week’s game. If we win we will be safe.”

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