Sidbury were narrow winners in their latest match, the St John’s School sponsored meeting with Seaton, writes Barney Stone.

Despite the rain and damp conditions, both teams were eager to get the game underway following cancellations the week before.

After deciding on a 30 over match and winning the toss, Sidbury elected to bat; given the weather conditions and threat of further rain, the home side sought to get the best out of the wicket.

This brought a somewhat experimental opening partnership of Pollard and Reed to the crease, as Sidbury looked to attack the Seaton bowlers from the start. Both batsmen played aggressively, yet runs were hard to come by as Sidbury struggled; the scoreboard made for difficult reading as Sidbury sat at 17-4 off the first seven overs!

With scoreboard pressure growing, Alex Paget was brought to the crease. Supported by good contributions from Bennett and Grove, Paget knocked a quick fire 52 to put Sidbury back into a controlling position. Simon Rowe added late runs as the lower order bolstered Sidbury’s total to a competitive 141-7.

Sidbury’s opening bowlers Harvey Bennett and Chris Fitzhenry piled the pressure on the Seaton openers, the latter picking up a wicket maiden in his first over.

However, this brought the inform Seaton captain to the crease. A six from his first ball led to a change in strategy, as spinner Josh Reed was brought on with immediate effect; a tantalizing delivery got Sidbury the wicket they needed as the outfield, led by the chirpy Rich Green, erupted.

Tight bowling from Paget, Rowe and Stone dismantled the middle order as Sidbury closed in on a narrow win.

With the game in the balance, a magnificent diving catch from Reed, alongside a dramatic one-handed take from wicket keeper Alex Stone, sealed the win for Sidbury.

Next up for Sidbury is a home match against Whitchurch at Millfield