Sidbury entertained Seaton’s Sunday XI and emerged victorious after a thrilling contest played in glorious conditions.

The two sides had met just three weeks before, but that contest was brought to a premature end by the weather.

Sidbury won the toss and opted to bat first in the 35-over match.

Marcus Bennett (25) and Barney Barney Stone gave the hosts a solid start prior to an impressive debut innings from Rob Tasker.

Tasker clearly enjoyed his new surroundings and struck the ball with real force on his way to a superb 74, punishing anything that was off line delivered by a youthful visiting side.

After the fall of a couple of wickets it was Simon Rowe who gave the home side’s offering real impetus as he rifled his way to 81 and there was good support from the bats of Mark William’s and Jez Wyant as Sidbury closed on 229.

The home opening pacemen Jackson Chinnery and Barney Stone worked tirelessly, but were unable to make a breakthrough as the young Seaton openers scored at a good rate before they were parted by a fine delivery Alex Pagent.

The visitors continued to score freely on the small Millfield outfield and, despite excellent shifts with the ball by Pagent, Chinnery and Stone, Seaton edged their way to the winning line.

However, Sidbury were always in the contest thanks to a mixture of good line and length and some excellent fielding.

The run rate was raised to ten an over with a dozen to bowl and Steve Crick’s introduction with his consistent line and length ensured that the visitors got further and further off the pace with Sidbury able to enjoy the spoils of victory at stumps.

There was a cameo involvement from 11-year-old Harvey Bennett as 12th man for Sidbury underlining that the next generation of Millfield cricketers are on the conveyor belt!