Sidbury faced a challenging match against North Devon, with Olly Paget securing a century, despite the team's rocky start.

On a strong day for the Devon league, Sidbury, on their home turf, batted first.

Only minutes before, W G Bidder, a well-seasoned player, had returned to the country, lineup and batting order, frenziedly searching for a pair of moth-eaten pads, juniors' box and many-a-wintered bat.

Despite a confident stride alongside Ryan Trawford at the start, he was soon forced to limp back, having been clean-bowled.

What initially appeared a prosperous pitch seemed to betray the Sidbury team, with five of the top six being clean-bowled.

The threatening openers from North Devon (2-15 & 2-25 from sets of eight) made a mockery of the polarised league positions, rendering Sidbury to 27 for 4.

Paradoxically, the saving grace for Sidbury was Olly Paget, who impressively held out from the fourth to the fortieth over, to secure a century just in the nick of time.

Piecing together a backbone partnership of 113 with Si Rowe, who was in and out of the lineup and managed to secure 55 before losing his bails, the pair seemed to rescue Sidbury’s trembling start.

Amid the shaky gameplay, Midge Howe became the talk of the field when he contrived to describe 'S' around a gentle-paced ball only to leave LBW and plumb in front.

Alex Paget and Damien Armes also displayed commendable effort towards the end, providing necessary support to O Paget.

Tea was carried by Josh 'Nigella' Reed's, dubbed after the famous chef for his smoked Scotch eggs, halved and oozing still-warm yolk.

His recipe book, complete with colour photos, can be easily bought from the club shop.

However, soon after the break, Sidbury’s behaviour on the field attracted criticism.

The batsmen and umpires were left baffled as they waited for the men delaying the game.

An indifferent performance peppered with misfields, slips and erratic bowling left the captain disgruntled and cost Sidbury three crucial points.

Nevertheless, despite an uneasy victory, Sidbury remains at the top of the league tables, pursued by Newton Tracey and Exeter.

The forthcoming matches against these two teams will undoubtedly prove vital in determining Sidbury’s final standing this season.