Sidmouth25Jun04

Kings 2nd game on tour saw them pitched against a very strong Sidmouth side, fielding several first team players, in an evening 20 over match. The game was played at the picturesque sea front ground in bright evening sunshine but with a strong breeze coming off the sea. For the game Kings were now strengthened by the arrival of three additional players in Perry, Mears and Evans.

Sidmouth batted first on a good pitch but it was Kings who made the first impact when Tighe found the edge of Griffith's bat and Smith took a regulation catch behind the stumps. However Pyne soon showed all the talent you would expect from a player of his standard when he drove Pipe back over his head to the boundary. He repeated the feat in the next over against the same bowler to send a chill through those Kings players yet to bowl. However Pyne should have been out lbw when Tighe appeared to have him plumb in front yet the home umpire ruled otherwise.

Gordon Young took over from Tighe and soon found his groove, having Bess caught at deep mid on by Mears. Meanwhile Pyne continued his assault on Pipe, driving him for a magnificent six onto the croquet lawn and also clearing the fence to dent a parked BMW. However Kings worked hard in the field and were quick to attack the ball and keep the runs down, only the boundary count causing concern for Kings. Bygrave replaced Pipe and he claimed the vital wicket of Pyne caught in the deep by Perry. In a superb spell of bowling Bygrave went on to bowl Patidar and Munday to return very creditable figures of 3-29. Young was also producing a good spell in which he took a sharp caught and bowled chance to dismiss Sidmouth's 2003 leading batsman, Gingell, without scoring.

There was time for Tighe to return to bowl Dalton in the closing overs as Kings kept it tight in keeping their hosts to just 128-7 off their 20 overs.

Kings response saw their batsman having to cope with an outstanding attack of quick and spin bowling. An opening stand of 11 between Miller and Perry being the best partnership of the innings. Despite their best efforts Kings were unable cope with an attack that was of a far higher level than themselves. Kings eventual dismissal for just 39 may have seen like a humiliation but the Kings could be proud of their performance in the field whilst doing their best to have enjoyed the experiences of having played against such high quality bowling.