Elstone (pictured) gives Sandford a nudge towards win at Hatherleigh | 'Was amazing to have Sam back, looking like he had never been away' – skipper Taylor Ingham-Hill

HATHERLEIGH were batted out of the game by resurgent Sidmouth, who dismissed them for 153 to win by 114 runs.

It was Sidmouth’s second league win in a row and lifted them off the bottom of the Premier Division table, where Tavistock have now moved in. Hatherleigh remain fourth from bottom, but are only eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Rob Cockwill, the Hatherleigh skipper, dusted off his crystal ball to offer this prediction: “It makes things interesting at the bottom of the table and we could have an exciting end to the season.”

Sidmouth and Devon batsman Sam Elstone, testing his fitness after a year out with an arm injury, and Dan Powell (47) got the visitors up and running with a stand of 87.

After Powell then Elstone (50) were taken out, Luke Bess and skipper Taylor Ingham-Hill with matching 31s kept the board flickering.

Matt Fourie went on to top score with 69 of 33 balls – five fours, four sixes – and was involved in stands that added 102 in the last 10 overs that took Sidmouth to 267 for six.

Spinner Shrey Ghosh (2-33), Emmerson Wood (2-56) and frugal Rob Fishleigh (0-34 off 9) had the only notable bowling figures on Hatherleigh’s side of the page.

Hatherleigh’s prospects diminished rapidly as they slid to 52 for five then 63 for six under pressure from Tom Hodgson (3-23) and Fourie (2-32).

Cockwill (37) and Fishligh (32) put on 55 for the sixth wicket until Mo Kaleem (2-38) spun out the latter.

Cockwill was ninth out at 151, followed four balls later by Will Edwards. Game over.

Summing up the game and Sidmouth’s current position, skipper Ingham-Hill said: 

“A great win and really pleased with where the team are currently. 

“Confidence is high and we are carrying momentum into second half of the season. 

“Matt Fourie has had a massive impact both on and off the pitch. He is getting better each week with both bat and ball.

“Was amazing to have Sam Elstone back, looking like he had never been away.”

Said Cockwill: “It was a fairly important toss to win on a used pitch, but that was no excuse for the result. 

“Sidmouth out-played us in every department. We simply lost to the better side on the day, which is frustrating.

“Missing a couple of chances probably cost us 30-40 runs on a day when 220 was probably a good score on that pitch

“A week to forget and move on to Plymouth next.”

Cockwill said there was one highlight: “An absolutely fantastic Hatherleigh tea, topped off with an amazing Malteser cheesecake.”