Sidley keen to take control

The Gullivers-based outfit returned to the summit in Sussex Division Three (East) last weekend after beating Uckfield Anderida while Burgess Hill’s match at Crawley was abandoned due to rain.

Sidley captain Scott Woodroffe said: “We had a good chat Saturday and if we can put a run of two or three wins together, hopefully that might start to see us pull away a little bit.”

Currently seven points clear, victory away to Ansty tomorrow (Saturday) will in all probability ensure that Sidley top the standings at the midway point in the campaign.

“When we’ve gone top of the league, we’ve followed it up with a poor performance,” continued Woodroffe. “But if we can build on Saturday and follow it up with another win, with any luck that will be the start of a run of decent results for us. We’ve got to make sure we play our cricket consistently rather than being up and down.”

Even without key all-rounder Neil Priddy, Sidley fielded a very strong XI against Uckfield. The four signings from Bexhill - Chris Deeprose, John Haffenden, Richard Harrison and Ian May - and another recruit, Paul Swannell, have transformed the side from sixth place last year to genuine title contenders.

Woodroffe added: “The guys that have come in this year have made all the difference. We’re just a little bit stronger in every department. If we’ve got a weakness, it’s probably the spin bowling department, but hopefully we’ll be able to put that right in the upcoming weeks when the wickets are a bit more conducive to it.”

The teams Sidley field on their travels, however, often aren’t as strong and they’ve lost two out of three away from Gullivers so far.

Missing Dan Auer, Chris Deeprose and Richard Harrison, Sidley are again below strength tomorrow as they begin a potentially crucial sequence of six away matches in the next eight.