Seaton skipper Ben Morgan claimed a ‘fivefer’ as his side powered their way to an impressive 131 run win over visiting Plymstock.

After losing the toss and having to ask his batsmen to pad up, Morgan may have feared the worst when Matt Hewer fell with just his one run on the score board.

However, father and son combination Brian and Josh Cann steadied things, adding 57 for the second wicket which became that of Cann junior for 36. Cann senior was third man down, out for 26 with the score on 83 and, when skipper Morgan fell for 22, Seaton were 115-4.

Any fears the side might struggle to reach maximum batting points were dispelled by a fine 44 run partnership for the fifth wicket between Robbie Prior (31) and Joel Seward. Seward stuck around to see the side pass 200 before he was seventh out, but not before he had scored a splendid 52. Seaton’s innings closed on 207-8 after 45 overs.

After being refreshed by tea, Seaton skipper Morgan took the new ball and tore into the visiting batsmen. He removed the first five as he sent down a full stint of nine overs that saw him produce the outstanding figures of 5-26!

The other five wickets were shared by Joel Seward (3-14 from 7.1 overs) and Robbie Prior (2-9 from three) as Plymstock were bundled out for 76 in just 23.1 overs.

It all means that Sidmouth head for a final day showdown at Cullompton this Saturday (September 1) for a match that both teams have to win – but for very different reasons!

Seaton have to win to seal second place – anything other than a win will open the door for Tavistock to take that much vaunted promotion place. For Cullompton, the need to win is just as great for defeat will send them back to D Division East after one season at the higher level.

Speaking after the win over Plymstock Morgan said: “It was almost the ‘complete’ team performance. It was certainly one where everybody chipped in and the end result was no more than we deserved.”

He continued: “We got put in and when we lost Matt [Hewer] to the seventh ball of the game I was, momentarily, concerned. However, Josh and Brian [Cann] batted so well – that was as good as we have seen from Brian all season and they gave us a platform from which we were able to see the job through to maximum batting points.”

As for the Morgan ‘fivefer’, the skipper said: “It all worked for me, but I must also credit the fielding, the all-round support was superb.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game at Cullompton, Morgan says: “It’s a massive game and one that clearly has so much riding on it. They [Cullompton] almost beat us at our place and we will not be complacent. Frankly I find it astonishing that they are in the position they are in. Equally I am surprised that we are now where we are. That said, I am delighted that we have worked ourselves into a scenario where, if we win our last game of the season we step up a division. It’s these sort of end-of-season games you dream about!”

Seaton will be without Ben Libby and Stephen Pritchard, but they are able to welcome back Tim Mitchell and Ollie Pinnock.