Sidbury's second game of the season saw them hosting Upottery IIs at the Millfield.

This was the first home game of the season and the winter's heavy rains had made the beautiful old ground greener than ever.

Under Saturday's burning midday sun, the players bustled in carrying trays of sandwiches and cake, some later than they'd hoped, but all ready to rumble.

Put in to bat on a damp pudding pitch, most of Sidbury's batsmen produced a series of diligent and low-scoring prodabouts.

All bar captain Alex Paget, batting at four, who realised the pace needed to be forced and duly forced it, crashing five fours and seven sixes on his way to a 64 ball hundred, a landmark reached on the final ball of the innings.

Paget was dropped behind in the thirties, dropped in the deep in the eighties and was fortunate to survive a run-out scare just prior to celebrating his fifty.

All chances Upottery would come to rue, for his innings pushed Sidbury to a respectable 187 and was to prove decisive.

After a perfectly balanced tea, Sidbury set about a healthy portion of line and length bowling seasoned with plenty of outfield hustle.

Toby Whitfield bowled both openers on his way to 3-29.

Damien Armes' 2-17 was even tidier.

Upottery dug in for a fourth wicket stand of 49, but Jack Smith (33) eventually succumbed to Simon Rowe's wiles, and when the dangerous captain Mark Joyce (20) holed out to Henry Williams - who took a good pressure catch in the covers - the game was up, Upottery eventually blocking out their overs for 132-9.

Sidbury were indebted to a number of players, officials and supporters for stepping forward on the day, including young scholars just hours away from important examinations, and old-timers who still remember when examinations needed a fountain pen and a blotter.

The final score was Sidbury 187/6 beating Upottery 132/9 by 55 runs.