Unusually for August, there were five players making their first appearance of the season on Saturday when Sidbury welcomed Geriatrics to the Millfield.

The casual spectator would never have guessed, though, as the team gelled instantly under the leadership of captain-for-the-day Jon Miller and put in an excellent team display.

Geriatrics batted first on a fairly green strip, and their openers got off to a flier with 40 from the first six overs.

They were pegged back by Steve Crick who bagged two wickets on his long-awaited return from injury.

Both were caught by Ollie Paget, the second a superb one-handed effort low to his right, which set the tone for an outstanding catching display by the home players.

The dismissal of the visitors’ dangerous opener by Mark Pearse, caught, somewhat bizarrely, at slip via Josh Reed’s ‘keeper’s gloves, was reward for an impressive spell of pace bowling.

Steve Howe, who bowled much better than his single wicket return warranted, tied up one end and the regular fall of wickets from the other, prevented the visitors from building any momentum. Ten-year-old Will Crick bowled very well and picked up a wicket - the eighth catch of the innings, which was testament to some canny field placings by the skipper. Chris FitzHenry claimed a wicket before

Rob Bolton knocked over the wickets of the last two Geriatircs batsmen as the innings closed on 98.

The home run chase was launched by Ben Pollard and Rob Bolton who put on 43 for the opening wicket. Pollard hit the ball very hard as he made 38 and, at 65-2, 13 overs into the reply, a canter to victory looked on the cards.

However, the innings stuttered as Reed and Miller became victims of the pick of the Geriatrics bowlers.

With Paget, unusually, finding it tricky to settle the visitors were forcing their way back into the game. A solid 24 from Rob Pearse, which included a number of fine boundaries, steadied the ship and a ‘normal service resumed’ Paget, rifled ten from two deliveries to ease any home team jitters.

The loss of two late wickets were of no consequence as the winning run was hit with three wickets and 11 overs to spare to complete a comfortable victory.

All in all, a very enjoyable game of cricket played in excellent spirit and gorgeous weather, and a continuation of Sidbury’s fine form!