TORQUAY are on their own at the bottom of the Premier Division table after losing the basement battle with Sidmouth by 71 runs.
Sidmouth were bowled out for 168 with nearly 10 overs to bowl – South African Cody Gertze taking three for 35 on his Torquay debut.
Torquay were all out for 95 in reply – Sidmouth medium pacer Will Murray running through the middle and lower order on his way to figures of six for 28.
Defeat leaves Torquay 13 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table. Sidmouth have moved out of the bottom two, ahead of North Devon, who lost heavily to Exeter.
Justin Yau, the Torquay captain, said Torquay aren’t playing badly in all departments but do need to start finding runs soon.
“We bowled and fielded brilliantly,” said Yau.. I couldn't fault our bowlers and we did great to restrict Sidmouth to 168.
“We are lacking a bit of confidence when we bat but I'm confident it'll click soon.”
Gertze missed the first month of the season due to commitments at home, but Yau liked what he saw of him on his belated debut.
“Cody looks to be a great signing,” said Yau. “He's quick, aggressive and has fitted into the team well.
“Cody was a huge positive and we look forward to seeing him bowl as he settles here.”
Sidmouth were labouring at bit at 35 for three when Zak Bess and Matt Cooke got together.
Cooke was first out for 42, breaking a stand of 90 with Bess that glued the Sidmouth innings together.
Bess went on top score with 51 – his third half-century in five hits this season – before he was fifth out at 138.
Dan Powell (16) was the only other batter with a double-figure score.
Gertze and Nick Watkin (3-22) had three Sidmouth wickets each. Mitch Pugh chipped in with two for 25.
Pugh top scored for Torquay when they batted with 28, but was unable to build any partnerships of note as Murray and Nick Mansfield (2-18) got to work.
By the time Pugh was eighth out at 65 – fourth of Murray’s six – only Joe Thompson (12) contributed much to the tally.
Dan Wightman (16) and Matt Petherbridge gave Torquay hope of a consolation second batting point, but Murray winkled them out five runs short.
Torquay have a tough trip to Exeter this Saturday.
