SIDMOUTH stay out in front in the Premier 2nd XI competition following a six-wicket win over Exmouth in a low-scoring affair.Exmouth were 70 for three after early runs from Stuart Rintoul (32) and Dickie Arnold (27), then lost seven wickets for 13 runs as they collapsed to 83 all out.
Nick Mansfield (4-19) and Fionn Wardop (2-11) softened Exmouth up, then Charlie Dibble (3-5) killed them off.
Sidmouth didn’t have it all their own way on the chase as Matt Hewer, Jamie Wardop and Saj Patidar all went for ducks in a running total of three for two.
Sean Butler (2-21) was on a hat-trick after he bowled Patidar first ball.
Zac Bess (56no) stopped the rot and saw Sidmouth over the line with help from Rob Powell (12) and Declan Lines.
Bess hit Dave Owen for six to win the game in the 21st over.
Second-placed Exeter gained a point on the leaders by taking all 20 from a 10-wicket win over Cornwood.
Pete Hensor was the leading bowler for Exeter with four for 16 as the Corns careered from 71 for one to 75 for five and on to 144 all out in 30 overs.
Mike Wilkinson (90no) and Sean Langford (39no) duly knocked off the runs.
Bovey Tracey won so easily at Tavistock it was a bit embarrassing for them!
Dan Green (4-18), Mark Gribble (3-5) and James Mason (2-20) skittled Tavvy out for 66.
Chris Clayton (39) and James Fulner (26) needed a mere nine overs to clinch a 10-wicket win well before three in the afternoon!
North Devon moved away from the wrong end of the table courtesy of an eight-wicket win over fellow strugglers Paignton.
Callum Stanley top scored for Paignton with 58 not out in a total of 155 for eight – Billy Curtis taking three for 24.
Macauly Harrison-Hooton then blazed 82 not out and Kasey Elliot 51in a routine run chase.
Paignton drop into the bottom two, three points behind Plympton, while North Devon are five points clear.
Veteran spinner Martin Gill took four for 31 to help bowl Plymouth to a 13-run win in the derby clash with Plympton.