Sidbury were winners when they entertained Branscombe in a fixture that was able to proceed thanks to the new all-weather wicket at their Millfield home.

The start was delayed for 30 minutes to allow for the rain clouds to clear and the teams agreed to play a 30-over game.

Sidbury won the toss and the visitors were put into bat. Conditions during the early overs were still tricky, with opening bowlers coming off short runs to avoid slipping, but this didn’t seem to hinder the home side with both Alex Paget and Steve Crick bowling accurately and getting early wickets.

Even when the batting side did mange to find a good connection, excellent ground fielding from the home side and slow outfield made scoring runs very difficult.

At one point it looked like it could be a early finish, Chris Fitzhenry joining the attack and also getting in on the act taking a couple of crucial wickets to leave the visitors on a perilous 29-6 after 15 overs!

However, the Branscombe tail wagged sufficiently to see them to a total of 89.

Ben Collard led the Sidbury reply together with new opening partner Steve Crick.

However, both fell in quick succession and, in the face of some terrific bowling, Sidbury slipped to 29-6, the same score Branscombe had posted earlier in the match!

It was Barney Stone and Olly Paget, the latter hitting a splendid unbeaten 43, who first settled things down and then saw their side to victory with a couple of overs, and wickets, remaining.

?Sidbury have been fortunate to be supported by a number of local business and organisations over the last couple of seasons.

This season for each home game one of our sponsors will award a man of the match award.

This weeks playing award, sponsored by long time sponsor and supporter Edward Wills Fleming of Sidmouth Design, goes to Olly Paget for his unbeaten 43