Sidbury, playing away for the third consecutive week, travelled to the Coaver Club, County Hall, Exeter to take on the Geriatrics in a 35-over contest that they won by 85 runs.

After winning the toss Sidbury batted first and wasted no time in getting the scoreboard moving with openers Ben Pollard and Phil Grove – who had put on 99 for the first wicket the week before – taking the score past 30 before Pollard fell. Rich Green was next man in – and out, but that brought Alex Stone to the wicket and he took an instant liking to the bounce on the artificial wicket, dispatching balls to the boundaries at will.

This bright innings helped restore the run rate and provided a great platform for the rest of the Sidbury team.

Stone was eventually caught and Phil Grove lost his wicket soon after.

Simon Rowe, Olly Paget and Barney Stone all added useful runs in the middle order to help post a very healthy total of 217.

The Sidbury opening bowling effort was led by Barney Stone and the equally highly accurate and economical bowling of Steve Crick, both getting early success and breaking into the home sides batting order. Steve eventually gave way to son Alf, who continued the good work and also picked up a couple of useful wickets.

It was evident after the first 10 overs that the Geriatrics were always going to struggle to chase down the target, but they did battle hard and fought to stay out in the middle, some fine catching behind the stumps and in the outfield dislodged some of the middle and lower order.

The Geriatrics opener looking set to carry his bat through the innings was their main stay, helping his team past the 100 mark and going on to make a valuable 65 for his side, sadly for him eventually falling as their last wicket, on the last ball of the innings, trapped in front of the sticks by the wily Phil Grove.

This Sunday (May 22) Sidbury play their first home game of the season when they entertain Branscombe (2pm).