Sidbury 29Jun03

Kings final match of their 2003 tour was against Sidbury. In complete contrast to the day before the outfield was in desperate need of cutting and the track as you stood at the crease was distinctly two colours, one shade of green on the right and another on the left. Having won the toss Kings elected to field first.

Opening the batting for Sidbury was a familiar face, Smallacombe who the previous day had lined up for Sidmouth against Kings and had been run out by Pipe. It was not to be a happy day again for the opener, as this time he was the first wicket to fall when he played on off Pipe without scoring. This was the perfect start for Kings and they applied some good pressure as both opening bowlers gave nothing away. Nick Tighe in particular delivered some unplayable deliveries especially against Denning. Denning however hit back when he dispatched the near new ball into the trees for six. It was Pipe was who struck again for Kings when he bowled Finch for 6. But when Denning once again drove powerfully at Tighe it seemed like four all the way but Perry diving to his left at mid-off clutched the ball one handed to take a superb catch, adding to his other outstanding catches this season.

Kings were well in control now as their hosts struggled against some excellent bowling and fielding. However a good partnership between Slot and Knight started to swing the game back in Sidbury's favour until Bygrave was introduced. Knight tried to drive him straight down the ground but could only hit the ball high into the sky where upon Young positioned himself under the ball at mid-off and completed the dismissal. When Mears then caught and bowled Barratt Sidbury were in danger of failing to post anything like a decent total. However Slot was still there and continued to frustrate the Kings bowlers. However he perished when he was run out at the non striker's end by the quick reactions of Perry. Hills offered some late resistance with some powerful blows but he too perished when he was well caught on the long on boundary by Tighe off Perry.

Bygrave got his second wicket when he bowled Slot Jnr and M Coles was trapped lbw by the same bowler. The innings was finished off when the returning Pipe accounted for N Coles to dismiss Sidbury for 121 from just 33 overs. Bygrave (3-20) and Pipe (3-28) returned the best figures but all the bowlers bowled well without getting their just rewards. Kings did suffer another injury blow when Bygrave was struck painfully on the ankle by the ball when fielding.

Kings reply did not go to plan. Perry, struggling to hold his bat after suffering severe bruising from his two catches, drove loosely and was caught at mid-on.(4-1). Then the batsman of the moment Richard Evans, who was looking good once again was sent back on a run, dived into his ground as the stumps were broken. He seemed to have made his ground but amazingly the 'neutral' home umpire, standing a good 20 yards away had his finger up before the first syllable of howzat could be uttered.(18-2). When Pipe was adjudged leg before without scoring Kings were wobbling at 28-3. Fortunately Miller was standing firm at the other end, but when Tighe skied a catch to cover point the wobble continued as the slump became 34-4.

With plenty of time left and with a small total to chase Miller and skipper Young reviewed the way to approach the chase. Happy to just pick up 2 or 3 an over they started to rebuild the innings. They still had to play watchfully against Hill, (another Sidmouth player) but once Smallacombe had been seen off they were able to up the scoring. Miller played his usual stylish shots whilst Young drove powerfully for four and six to long on. Then having added 68 Young was bowled for 24. (102-5). Smith struck his first ball for four before Miller finished the game in style. He struck three successive fours to bring up his fifty and then two balls later struck his eighth boundary to win the game for Kings.

Once again Kings returned from tour unbeaten. Now able to boast a record of 15 matches without defeat, having won 11 and drawn 4.