TORQUAY reminded Sidmouth they are still championship material with a hefty 196-run win over the claimants to their crown.
Sidmouth may be the champs in waiting – their win over Brixham last week means they cannot be caught at the top – but Torquay are the reigning champions for another week yet.
And a whirlwind century and some by Joe Thompson took Torquay to an imposing total of 322 for six in 50 overs – which Sidmouth were never going to get after slumping to 84 for five in reply.
Torquay were in a bit of trouble at 119 for five when Nick Watkin went out to join Thompson in the middle.
Thompson, already on 19 not out, launched a brutal assault on the Sidmouth bowling as he clubbed 162 off just 116 balls with 11 sixes and nine fours.
CRASH! Thompson warmed up with his first 50 off 68 balls with three sixes and six fours.
BANG! It took him just 25 balls to reach 100, accumulating another four and five sixes.
WALLOP! Thompson’s 150 came up 18 balls later and contained seven fours and 11 sixes.
Thompson hit two more fours before Kyle Brockley got him out with the last ball of the Torquay innings.
It was the best individal score in the Premier Division this season, surpassing the 141 made by Heathcoat’s Brad Barnes, also against Sidmouth, back in week five.
Watkin made a very respectable 52 not out off 57 balls in a record-busting stand of 203 for the sixth wicket.
The old record of 156 was set last season by Bovey Tracey batters Matt Golding and Andy Fairbairn against Paignton.
Early wickets for Matt Petherbridge (3-25) and Kazi Szymanski (2-35)) soon had Sidmouth on the back foot.
Zak Bess made 50 off 47 balls for Sidmouth in a losing cause as they were bowled out for 126, the last five wickets going for just 15 runs as Ben Williams (2-35) and Sach Galhenage (3-28) joined the party/
Only two other batsmen reached double figures: Josh Bess (18) and skipper Luke Bess (11).
Skipper Bess had little to say after the game.
“We were poor,” said Bess. “Joe Thompson batted very well; not a lot else to be said honestly.”
