Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth looking to stay unbeaten

Sidmouth looking to stay unbeaten

SIDMOUTH skipper Will Murray is trying not to get too carried away by being 52-points clear at the top of the Premier Division – but it isn’t easy!
While Sidmouth were beating Bovey Tracey by three wickets, fading chasers Exmouth were losing at Heathcoat.
Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs has conceded the chase was over for his side, which is a bold statement to make with eight games to go.
“The league has gone as far as we are concerned so we pick ourselves up and enjoy the rest of the season,” said Baggs.
Murray won’t be celebrating just yet though as he doesn’t think Sidmouth are far enough ahead.
“It would be nice to think we can go on to win the league from where we are no – and even better if we could do it unbeaten,” said the Sidmouth skipper.
“Winning is a habit and we seem to have got it, but losing is a habit to and as Exmouth know once you get the habit it is hard to shake.
“If we were to lose three or four as they have, it could all be very different very quickly.”
Peter Bradley dominated the Bovey batting with an unbeaten 130 in their total of 224 for four.
Josh Bess dispatched Bovey opener Malcolm Lake third ball, but Bradley and Sam Wyatt-Haines (38) put on 106 for the next wicket at a sedate pace across 34 overs.
Only when Charlie Miles spun out Wyatt-Haines, who batted 128 minutes for his 38, did Bradley start to cut loose.
With Matt Golding briefly at the other end, and Nathan Roberts somewhat longer, Bradley zipped along from 54 to 130 in the last 15 overs.
Roberts stoppered up an end for 20 in a stand of 63 for the fourth wicket.
Sidmouth got just the start they didn’t want as openers Bess and Anthony Griffiths were both dismissed before the end of the first over by Roberts.
Roberts at one end and Lake at the other kept the pressure up on Sidmouth, who were an unimpressive 59 for five at the 14 over mark.
The game turned on a stand of 97 for the sixth wicket between Matt Cooke (69no) and Adam Dibble.
By the time Dibble was stumped off Golding for 53, Sidmouth were right back in it at 156 for six.
Cooke batted on, he was there for 155 minutes and faced 129 balls, and with Scot Barlow (15) and Murray (21no) for company got Sidmouth over the line with an over to go.
“It was a tough game and tested out strength in depth,” said Murray.
“We got no real runs from the top three and it was nice to see other players – especially Matt Cooke – filling the void.”
Andy Fairbairn, the Bovey captain, said he wouldn’t be losing sleep over a defeat by the best team in the region.
“I don't think we could have played much better,” said Fairbairn.
“Pete's innings was the best I have seen by anyone in a long time and he was supported well by Sammy.
“It gave us a platform to post a decent total against a serious bowling attack.
“We had them on the ropes early on in their innings thanks to Nathan, Ryan Bougourd and a great run out by Malcollm Lake, but Cookie and Adam batted superbly to see them home.
“Sidmouth are a strong club who do things the right way, with a core of home-grown players and plenty more to come through.
“I would have thought they are the best team in the South West right now with their quality and depth and there is no doubt that they will deservedly win the league this year.
“I said to my team at the end if we play like that for the next eight games we will win them all and that is the challenge that lies ahead of us.”

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773