SIDMOUTH defeated Plympton by seven wickets on the Fortfield in a high-scoring affair that featured a century from either side.

Plympton opener Elliot Hamilton punched 17 fours and a single six on the way to 112, which was his second Premier ton of the current campaign, as Plympton progressed to 270 for eight in their 50-over innings.

Other contributions came from Ben Privett (41) and Tino Mutombodzi (66). Bryce Parsons left-armers took three wickets for 39 runs.

Teams don’t lose very often defending 270 totals, but teams don’t run into players of the calibre of Sidmouth’s South African professional Parsons very often either. His 123 not out secured victory with exactly nine overs to spare.

Parsons averages between 35-40 in First Class cricket with Gauteng and Dolphins back home and has found Devon League bowling to his liking! His match-winning knock was his second Premier ton in four games and took his batting average to 131. He has yet to score less than 50 in a league game.

After Sam Elstone (40) and Matt Cooke (44) gave Sidmouth a 67-run start, Parsons took Sidmouth the rest of the way to a seven-wicket win. A stand of 137 with skipper Luke Bess (44) left Parsons to finish it in a hurry by hitting Jonty Walliker for 21 in an over, culminating in a six to win it. Jamie Baird contributed the odd run.

None of Plympton’s bowlers took more than one wicket and Josiah Caunter was the only one to bowl at less than five an over.

Bess said a key moment in the game was Mutombodzi’s dismissal as the game was in danger of slipping away the longer he stayed in

"At 200 for two with 18 overs left we were looking at chasing 300 plus,” said Bess. “Fortunately we got Tino out when he was looking dangerous and dragged it back really well.”

Bess said the chase could not have gone much better.

“Matt Cooke and Sam Elstone got us off to a great start and ahead of the asking rate,” said Bess. “Bryce then batted through to see us home.”

Walliker, the Plympton vice-captain, said a key component determining the outcome was the last 10 overs of the Plympton innings.

“Reflecting on our innings, we were probably at least 50 runs short,” said Walliker.

“Despite early dominance, and a platform of 220 for two, smart bowling by Sidmouth in the last 10 overs restricted us.

“Momentum is crucial in one-day cricket, and Sidmouth definitely came off happier at the half-way stage.

“In the field, we weren't anywhere near as clinical as we know we can be.

“At 112 for two, after restrictive spells from the Caunter brothers, the game was fairly evenly poised. But I dropped Parsons in the 70s, after which the result was inevitable.”

Four games into the season Sidmouth are third in the table. They are a point behind Bovey Tracey and six behind leaders Cornwood, who visit the Fortfield this Saturday.