SIDMOUTH put more pressure on Bovey Tracey at the bottom of the Premier Division when they defeated them by 75 runs on the Recreation Ground.

Skipper Luke Bess top scored for Sidmouth with 45, and South African batter Luke Beaufort got as far as 27, in a Sidmouth total of 152 all out that was probably better than it looked.

Taylor Ingham-Hill made 20 on his return to his former Bovey stomping ground and bits and pieces from Robbie Powell (11) and James Docherty (14no) helped.

Bovey paceman Seb Ansley took out both Sidmouth openers ­– Elstone then Gaywood – and knocked over nine, ten, jack in his second spell to finish with five for 20. Musa Twala (3-20) dealt with Sidmouth’s middle order.

Bovey’s frontline batting was in a mess after a going over from Tom Hodgson (2-4) and Will Murray (4-17) that reduced them to 18 for five.

Best of a sorry set of scores was the 16 made by skipper Toby Codd, followed by Ansley with 15 and Rob Pryke (14).

Charlie Gaywood put Bovey out of their misery with the last two wickets to condemn them to 77 all out.

Devon Cricket League Premier Division. Bovey Tracey versus Sidmouth. Jubilation for Sidmouth as another Bovey wicket bites the dust - in this case Ed Foreman's
Devon Cricket League Premier Division. Bovey Tracey versus Sidmouth. Jubilation for Sidmouth as another Bovey wicket bites the dust - in this case Ed Foreman's (Steve Pope/MDA)

Bess said winning the toss proved an advantage, even though he had doubts whether Sidmouth had made enough runs.

Said Bess: “It was a difficult pitch to bat on, and probably got tougher throughout the day, therefore a crucial toss to win.

“We battled hard to get to 150 without anyone ever looking ‘in’.”

“We were probably 15-30 runs short of what we were targeting, but at halfway knew we were in the game if we bowled well.

“Having Bovey at three for one was a perfect start. From there we never really let them back in, which is something we have been guilty of previously. It was nice to see us keep the foot on the throat and get a good win.

While Sidmouth sit in relative safety in mid-table, Bovey remain one off the bottom coming up to the halfway stage in the season. They are away to fellow strugglers Paignton this Saturday.

At the other end of the standings, Sandford are leading the way on 142 points with Bradninch and Kentisbeare four behind on 138, both with an impressive seven wins from the first eight games.

Paignton away may be a must-win game for Bovey, but skipper Codd is looking longer term than just the next game.

“We need to keep going as a group and stay together,” said Codd.

“There's plenty of cricket left to be played this summer, and we'll keep working hard to stay in the division.”