Run drought blights Sidley

The hard-hitting batsman and opening bowler had pinpointed the exact reason why Sidley have fallen to second-bottom in Sussex Division Two.

The Gullivers club have failed to reach 180 in any league game this season and only two of their domestic players have topped 40, in stark contrast to their bowling which has generally been good.

Another sub-par score on Saturday, admittedly in the face of some searching bowling and sharp catching, cost them their third defeat of the campaign.

"They were very good," said captain Eddie Daniels. "I think we've faced the best bowling attack we've seen this year, but even so I would have expected us to get more on a nice hot day and quick outfield. We were probably 40 or 50 runs short of a competitive total and that dictated the game."

The loss of early wickets isn't aiding Sidley's cause and they were again in trouble not long after the start on Saturday.

The first wicket went down with just seven on the board before their plight worsened still at 40-5 as a disciplined St James' attack put the ball in the right areas and got it to move around.

Matthews & Sons man of the match Chris Hunnisett again proved his worth in a crisis, battling his way to a valuable 29. He received useful support from Keith Luck (12), who was only out to a stunning low catch at short extra cover, and Daniels (17), taking the score to 101 before the fall of the seventh wicket.

Just 10 runs were added for the final three wickets, however, despite the dashing blade of Chris Milton (9) as Steve Green (4-30) and Zueben Bhettay (4-46) each claimed four wickets.

Sidley gave themselves hope when Peter King (3-46) reduced second-placed St James to 14-2, but Richard Allum (29) and Johnson (49 not out) released the shackles.

Guy Montgomery had Allum caught behind prior to further wickets falling to King and Scott Woodroffe, but by that stage the dye had pretty much been cast.

"Even without Tyrone (Wildman)," Daniels added, "we still took five wickets. I believe we've got a good bowling attack and, if we can just post 200, then we will be competitive, although we were still very competitive on Saturday."