Six-hitting outlawed on parts of Sidmouth's ground as safety measure

Sidmouth CC, where six-hitting has been banned in all but league games

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

HOWZAT for playing it safe? Sidmouth CC has imposed a ban on six-hitting along one boundary in all matches apart from adult league and cup games.

Sidmouth’s ground in Fortfield Terrace has a long boundary running from fenced-off tennis and croquet courts at one end to the wall bordering the Belmont Hotel.

Behind the boundary is a busy car park at one end and the sea-front esplanade at the other. It’s a big hit into the car park, but pedestrians walking along the esplanade have been dodging cricket balls for years.

Anthony Griffiths, the Sidmouth CC secretary, said following trial matches in 2020 club members have agreed a self-regulating ban on hitting sixes on one side of the ground.

“We put a £20,000 netting fence up at one end of the boundary two years ago to stop balls going on to the esplanade – and up to a point it has worked,” said Griffiths.

“The problem is some batsmen can still hit balls over the net and we cannot make it any higher.

“Bats are getting heavier, balls can be hit further and in the summer months the esplanade is packed with people going to and from the beach, or just taking a walk.

“As the last thing we want is for someone to get hit on the head by a stray cricket ball, we have brought in the no-sixes rule.

“If anyone does hit a six instead of having runs added they will have five taken away.”

Griffiths said the no-sixes rule will apply to midweek touring games and Sunday friendly fixtures, but not county matches or games involving men’s sides playing league and cup ties.

Griffiths added: “In a full season we play 25-30 friendly games and it’s those that will have the no-sixes rule.

“We tried it in the few friendly games played last season and there were no problems with it.

“All the touring sides that come to play us have been told, as have clubs who hire our pitch for their games, such as the Devon Dumplings.

“There has been no adverse comment. What reactions we have had have been understanding.”

The no-sixes rule was voted through at the club’s annual meeting, which was held using an on-line platform for the first time.

Members heard the club dipped into reserves to meet running costs, which could not be covered from the reduced income and sponsorship revenue generated during a Covid-ravaged season.

The cricket club generates substantial income from renting out parking spaces during Sidmouth Folk Festival, which was cancelled in 2020.

Members were warned if the 2021 summer is badly affected by Covid restrictions the club could have problems.

“Much of the money we had in reserve has been used up and if there is no folk festival again we would be in a difficult position,” said Griffiths.

Richard Summers was re-elected unopposed as cricket club chairman. His other job as treasurer has been reassigned to Cameron Grainger. Charlie Miles has taken on the membership secretary’s job previously taken care of by the secretary.

All three men’s captains – Zak Bess (1stXI), Griffiths (2ndXI) and Tim Chapman (3rdXI) – were re-elected.