LIAM Lewis hit an unbeaten century as Sidmouth walloped relegated Brixham by 238 runs to win the Premier Division title with two games to spare.
Chasers Exeter and Heathcoat had conceded the title race a while ago, but mathematically it wasn’t Sidmouth’s crown until they won at Brixham.
Lewis followed his 91 against Plymouth seven days earlier with 124 not out in a Sidmouth total of 277 for eight.
The Devon batsman opened up with Matt Cooke in a stand of 45 and batted through for 202 minutes and 160 balls.
Lewis hit 13 fours and two sixes and was involved in stands of 49 with Harvey Sargent (16), 36 with Henry Gater (29) and 45 with Rob Powell (20no).
Brixham’s South African paceman Corné Dry bowled 10 overs for 26 runs – but failed to add to his wicket tally for the season.
Big things were expected of Dry this season given his record at home with Knights and Free State – 121 First Class wickets in 48 games and 38 more in 20 List A fixtures.
Dry’s wicket tally is 15 in 15 completed games with a best of four for 41 against Bovey Tracey back in late May.
Brixham had been all out for less than a hundred eight times going into Saturday’s game so the odds were always on an early finish.
Brixham were all out for 39 in reply – their last six wickets going for just five runs as they tumbled to their lowest total of the season so far.
Dry was the only batsman to reach double figures. No one else made more than six and four made nothing at all.
Devon paceman Zak Bess (2-9) removed both openers then Charlie Miles (4-6) and Will Murray (2-8) removed the rest with the minimum of delay.
Lewis may be the top run getter at Sidmouth this season – 490 so far from nine hits at an average in the 80s – but he is the first to stress individuals don’t win titles.
Lewis said Sidmouth’s success has been founded on winning games when it matters with assorted contributions.
“There are three or four bowlers around 20 odd wickets three batters nearing 500 runs for the season,” said Lewis.
“Will Murray has been back to his best - I haven't played a game where he has bowled badly - and Luke bess has done well in his first season as captain.
Henry Gater, Dan Powell and Harvey Sargent have all made match-winning contributions, which is great to see as they are the future of the club.’
For the record Lewis (490), Luke Bess (474), Matt Cooke (473) and Zak Bess (381) are the leading run getters.
Kyle Brockley (27), Murray (23) and Miles (22) are the leading wicket-taking bowlers.
