By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

SIDMOUTH officials are waiting to find out if the result of their game against Seaton on the Fortfield will count or be expunged from the record.

Sidmouth were never going to lose after amassing 226 for nine in a rain-reduced allocation of 26 overs, but the weather just would not leave the game alone.

Midway through the 13^thover of Seaton’s reply, the rain came down again and even more overs started being lost at the rate of one every three and half minutes.

Seaton were 20 for two when umpires Ray Allen and Tim Chapman took the teams off to wait for a break in the weather.

By now the clock was ticking down to the point where the game could not resume as there was insufficient time to bowl the 20 overs required to meet league regulations on what constitutes a game.

Sidmouth captain Zak Bess just wanted to play and opposite number Ben Morgan was prepared to go along with him.

The umpires said going back out was not an option under league rules, but they were prepared to play on until 7pm and let competition bosses rule on the validity of the game.

Sidmouth went on to win by 173 runs, which is worth 19 points if the result is allowed to stand. Umpire Allen submitted a report to league secretary David Sheppard, which was waiting for him first thing on Monday morning.

League officials considered the report during a meeting on Tuesday night and have asked the umpires to supply additional details of match timings before they make any decision.

Anthony Griffiths, the Sidmouth secretary, said it was difficult for him to comment as he was not on the ground at the time.

“What I would say is that league officials have done a brilliant job organising some competitive cricket for teams as it seemed for a long time there would not be any,” said Griffiths.

“Clearly players want to play in games, even when they are like competitive friendlies, and the umpires showed common sense by extending the game the way they did.

“The important thing this season is to keep people playing cricket and it seems to be thanks to two sensible captains and the actions of the umpires that’s exactly what happened in this instance.”

Sidmouth’s top three – Alex Barrow (60), Josh Bess who made 31 after being dropped at slip in the first over, and Luke Bess (46) – got the home side up to 161 for two in the 18^thover. Nick Mansfield was 24 not out in the final total.

Seaton skipper Morgan, whose first over went for 13 runs, returned late in the day to bowl four more overs and finish with figures of four for 30.

Seaton were 54 for eight when their time ran out. No one made more than 15. Ollie Pugsley (3-12) pipped Jordan Fowler (2-9) in the Sidmouth bowling stats.