CORNWOOD have fallen further down the Premier Division table to fifth after suffering an eight-wicket defeat at Sidmouth.

Cornwood recovered from being 69 for five – Chris Parker (31) and Ben Privett (20) among those in and out – to reach 164 all out in their 36th over.

Naveen Fernando (40) and Matt Butterworth (19) put on 66 for the sixth wicket. James Richardson was 22 not out at the end.

Will Murray (3-41) and Tom Hodgson (3-36) were Sidmouth’s top-half wicket-takers.

Sidmouth were well on their way to victory at 76 for none – and not even a double strike by Lee Baker (2-39) made much difference!

Surviving opener Sam Elstone (66no) and Beaufort (53no) put on 92 unbroken in a further 14 overs to wrap-up a comfortable win.

Reflecting on the way the game went, Staddon said: “We found ourselves well short in most areas from the standards we set earlier on in the season.

“We were well short with the bat and didn’t start well with the ball, which made for a very comfortable chase for Sidmouth, on a day where they were much better than us.”

Staddon insisted it was far from all doom and gloom though as the next generation of first-team cricketers is coming along nicely.

“Sixteen-year-old Alex Shutt continues to improve week on week and Sam Ford – an under-15 representing the 1st team for the first time did not look out of his depth,” said Staddon.

Meanwhile, Cornwood 2nd XI revived their promotion hopes with a 111-run win over Ashburton.

Ashburton were all out for 104 in their chase of Cornwood’s 215-7 total.