CORNWOOD have now gone four games without a win in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division – three loses and a tie against Plymouth – after suffering a one-wicket defeat at Sidmouth.

The Wood were all out for 160 on the Fortfield – Charlie Finan top scoring on 65 – which Sidmouth got thanks to an unbeaten 90 from captain Taylor Ingham-Hill. An unbroken last-wicket stand of 52 between Ingham-Hill and Tom Hodgson won it for the Seasiders.

Curiously, nothing much has changed for either side. Cornwood are still fourth and Sidmouth remain bottom as all three teams ahead of them won as well.

Opener Finan took Cornwood as far as 136 for five before Matt Foutie (2-33) winkled him out. Next best with 30 was Mohsin Khan.

Will Murray (2-19) kept Cornwood’s batters under lock and key in the middle overs. Charlie Gaywood (4-30) got stuck into the lower order.

Sidmouth were 14 for three when Ingham-Hall went in having sustained damage from Khan (3-30). Ninety-six balls and two hours later, Ingham-Hill hit Elliott Staddon for four to win it.

Along the way the game almost slipped away during a 15-ball slump from 83 for four to 89 for eight. Lee Baker (4-40) was the problem poser.

Runs from George Sims (21) and Fourie (22) helped whittle away the arrears. Silent partners such as George Bower (24 balls) and Hodson (11 balls) propped up stands of 23 and 52 respectively to win it.

Matt Skeemer, the Cornwood captain, said not for the first time this season and game that should have been won slipped away.

“It was frustrating to only score 160 having got ourselves in a decent position,” said Skeemer.

“A couple of times now we’ve been in great positions and haven’t won the game due to a brilliant individual knock. Finishing games off is something we need to look at.

“Fair play to Taylor, it was an excellent innings. He used his luck and won his team the game single-handed.”