Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth face serious competition says Patidar

Sidmouth face serious competition says Patidar

PREMIER 2nd XI – WEEK FOUR

SIDMOUTH captain Saj Patidar said the Premier 2nd XI title race is wide open with at least five teams in the running.

Defending champions Sidmouth are tucked in behind early leaders Plymouth after a nail-biting three wicket win at North Devon.

Sidmouth have won seven titles in the last eight seasons – 2007 when Plympton pipped them is the odd one out – but face a real challenge hanging on to it again.

“I am happy with our start – three wins in four games – especially as we have had availability problems,” said Patidar.

“Of course we would like to win it again, but there is some stiff opposition out there this season.

“Plymouth appear to be the team to beat as they look very strong. We will be up there and so will North Devon, Exeter and Bovey Tracey.

“That’s my top five, but who will win it I wouldn’t like to say.”

North Devon batsman Max Curtis hit an unbeaten century against Sidmouth, but it wasn’t enough.

North Devon were in all sorts of trouble at 43 for five after an early going over from seamer Mark Jasper (4-34).

A stand of 95 for the seventh wicket between Curtis (101no) and Richard Screech (52) got North Devon up to 206 for eight when their overs ran out.

Tight bowling by Paul Heard (2-44) and Tim Cook (2-52) meant Sidmouth had to work for their runs.

Matt Hewer (58), Rob Powell (41) and Saj Patirdar all made inroads, but with four overs to go a target of 34 looked on the steep side.

Along game veteran Graham Munday, who clubbed a brisk 21 not out with Charlie Miles (17no) at the other end to win the game with four balls to spare.

Heard went for 16 in one of his overs, which was a cruel turn of events as he had bowled so well until then.

Budleigh Salterton’s game at Cornwood was a weather casualty shortly before tea.

Jack Dart made 84 in a Budleigh total of 144 for two when the heavens opened.

Exeter captain Richard Nelsey is promising Sidmouth a run for their money.

Exeter were one wicket away from beating Bovey Tracey and the 15-points from a draw mean they are third in the table.

“I have every intention of doing my best to prevent the title going to Sidmouth for an 8th time in 11 years,” said Nelsey. “Someone else deserves a go!”

Exeter made 238 for six in a game slimmed down to 46 overs a side with Alex Bossomworth and Mike Wilkinson leading the way.

Wilkinson made 50 and youngster Bossomoworth 69 in a stand of 82 for the second wicket.

When in-form Wilkinson departed, Tom Viljoen (45) helped Bossomworth add 81 for the fourth wicket.

Wicket-wise, Sam Thomas took two for 34 and Bovey skipper James Mason had two for 56.

Bovey struggled for runs early on as Will Steward (4-50) but got back in the game while Sam Wyatt-Haines (430 and Arren de Young (27) were composing 52 for the fourth wicket.

Matt Williamson (2-43) slowed the chase down and as wickets fell Bovey abandoned the chase.

Bovey lost their ninth wicket to the final ball of the game with the score on 204, meaning Exeter didn’t get the chance to bowl at last man Richard Wyatt-Haines.

Paignton’s 31-over game away to Plympton fizzled out into a dull draw.

Neil Tremayne hit a top score of 68 for Plympton as they made a respectable 177 for three. Alex Carr (57) chipped in.

Paignton were an unimpressive 90 for five when their overs ran out. Mark Smith’s 24 was as good as it got for the Queens Park outfit.

Paignton captain Tim Ward was glad to get in the car and drive home.

“It was the game from hell and a day to forget,” said the former Devon all-rounder.

“We fielded in drizzly rain and freezing cold wind all afternoon with the church bells ringing in our ears.

“Our bowlers couldn’t bowl at the stumps on a minefield of a wicket.

“Plympton smashed us around we couldn’t hold the ball as it was like a bar of soap.

“We batted very slowly but the wicket was really bad. Kids were batting at the end and couldn’t really hit the ball.”

Hatherleigh lost the top-against-bottom clash at home to leaders Plymouth, but were by no means disgraced in a three-wicket defeat.

For Plymouth only got the runs in the last over thanks to a stand of 75 for the eighth wicket between Sam Stein (38no) and Tom Hughes (34no).

Veteran Terry Reynolds top scored for Hatherleigh with 80 and put on 80 for the fourth wicket with Andy Bennett (37). Mike Jones (27) and Jack Cherrington (26no) weighed in.

Plymouth were glad of a stand worth 60 between Stein and Ben Ferero (54) for getting them going after early problems against Ross Cherrington (4-77), Pavi Mawalage kept the revival going with 46.

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