Sidbury CC welcomed back South-East London-based Old Grammarians to the Millfield ground.

As regular visitors to the East Devon village side they were quick to remark on the progress made at the club, the artificial wicket a new addition since their last visit, plus evidence of the club house refurbishment which is starting to take shape.

After a rain-hit cancelled fixture the week before, Sidbury were keen to play and maintain their good run of form.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat in the 35-over game.

Sidbury opening bowlers Barney Stone and James Pearse gave the Old Grammarians openers plenty to think about as they generated lots of pace and bounce!

Stone claimed the opening wicket with a full delivery that pinned the visiting batsman to the crease giving the Old Grammarian’s umpire no option, but to agree to a leg before decision!

The other opening batsman continued to deal, almost entirely in boundaries, being particularly savage on any ball short of a length! It was only a brilliant bit of individual skill dislodged the confident young batsman, Jon Miller attacking a cover drive, picking up and throwing accurately to knock the stumps over and run the batsman out.

From this moment wickets started to fall! James Pearse, at times delivering seemingly unplayable in-swingers, picked up a wicket and spinner, Josh Reed, frustrated the batsmen to such a degree that he collected a three wicket haul across his seven over spell.

Mark Williams, Jon Miller and Nigel Lyon, who were the other home bowlers, all chipped in and the visiting innings closed on 167.

After a hearty tea, now ‘almost’ made famous by Josh Reed’s incredible culinary efforts, the home side launched the reply.

Ben Pollard and Marcus Bennett attacked from the first delivery with Pollard racing to 29 in a short space of time. Phil Grove appeared at the fall of the first wicket and weighed in with an impressive 30.

A couple of quick wickets fell and, at 60-4, the home side needed to dig in! Simon Rowe and Barnet Stone came together at the wicket and forged a match-sealing partnership, adding almost 100 for the fifth wicket leaving Jon Miller to face one ball and hit a boundary to secure Sidbury a four wicket win with still nine overs of the contest left. This Sunday Sidbury host Newton Poppleford (2pm).