2nd XI v. Stirlands

STIRLANDS II 264-6 (30pts) SIDLEY II 176 (5pts)

SIDLEY inched slightly further away from the 2nd XI Division Two basement in the Sussex Cricket League on Saturday. Peter Capon's charges are nine points above Lewes Priory despite suffering their sixth defeat in seven completed matches. Sidley got off to a decent enough start after completing their longest journey of the season when Jamie and Craig Ramsden reduced third-bottom Stirlands to 27-2. A century stand for the fourth wicket, however, involving Finlay Coxon-Smith (121 not out) and John Fuller (49) took the game away from Sidley. Steve Reeves picked up two late wickets, while young Josh Armstrong also claimed a victim on a good batting track.

Sidley lost an early wicket in reply before Reeves (28) and Ian Vye (41) pieced together a 69-run partnership. But 72-1 quickly turned into 77-4 and not even a 64-run fifth wicket stand between Capon (40) and Craig Ramsden (29) could stave off defeat. Jamie Ramsden added 14 at number nine as Sidley went down by 88 runs to give Stirlands their first victory of the summer. The match ball was sponsored by Windmill Drive Post Office.