Bess (pictured) and Musikanth secure crunch win over Plymouth in drop dog-fight | 'Fortunately, chasing such a low total it only took one partnership to get us over the line' – Sidmouth captain Luke Bess

SIDMOUTH improved their chances of dodging the drop from the Tolchards DCL Premier Division with a six-wicket win over Plymouth.

It’s all over already for North Devon, but one of Heathcoat (167pts), Sandford (176), Sidmouth (178) and now Plymouth (179) will be going with them.

Sidmouth were second from bottom going into the game, but his win moved them two rungs and 11 points up the ladder.

The big games keep coming for Sidmouth as it’s Sandford away for them this Saturday.

Plymouth, on a run of six defeat in a row in the Premier Division, have not won since beating Exmouth by 39 runs on July 5.

A win over North Devon this Saturday is essential if Plymouth want to avoid too many last-day dramas at Paignton.

With top two Bradninch & Kentisbeare also meeting, it’s a Super Saturday in the Premier Division.

“There is something riding on basically every game in the Premier Division this Saturday,” said Sidmouth skipper Luke Bess. Great to see it so competitive.”

Plymouth’s first task on the Fortfield was recovering from an early going over from Noah Musikanth (4-15) that left them 16 for three in the sixth over.

Teddy Haffenden (29) and Matt Whalley (31) got Plymouth back on an even keel at 88 for three. Then Charlie Gaywood (3-16) had Haffenden caught behind.

Plymouth went into a steady decline after that with Ethan Guest (21) the only long-term survivor as they faded to 129 all out with six of their 50 overs to go.

Bess, said it proved a good toss to have lost.

“We bowled well, put pressure on from the start and never really let up,” said Bess.

 “A couple of chances were missed but, generally speaking, we had a good first half.”

Sidmouth had a wobbly start of their own – Sam Stein knocked-off Jash Patidar, Anthony Griffiths and Gaywood in a running total of 23 for three.

And when Guest trapped West Indian professional Akeem Jordan lbw, Sidmouth were teetering at 32 for four. That was as good as it got for Plymouth.

Bess (52no) and Musikanth (38no) put on 98 unbroken for the fifth wicket to wrap-up victory with more than 16 overs to spare.

Bess said despite Sidmouth’s patchy start in reply, he was never too concerned.

"Plymouth came hard at us, which was always going to be the case,” said Bess. “Fortunately, chasing such a low total it only took one partnership to get us over the line.”

Stein, the Plymouth captain, said it was not hard to determine what had gone wrong.

“Unfortunately, we didn't execute our plans with the bat and got out in ways that could have been prevented.,” said Stein.

“We bowled okay in the circumstances, but it's always a tall effort to defend 129.”