Sidley finally end run without a win

It may have taken them nine games to chalk up that elusive first win, but the compelling fashion in which it was achieved made it almost worth the wait.

Sidley triumphed by a single wicket after overhauling an imposing total of 276-2 set by Steyning.

Skipper Jonathan Haffenden was the hero with a quite brilliant 125 not out and his winning runs sparked wild celebrations among the home camp.

An elated Haffenden said: "It was a superb effort, I'm really chuffed. I'm a little bit relieved (at getting the first win), but I knew it was coming."

Of his first Sussex League hundred, the talented batsman added: "My family and my girlfriend were there and I've never batted in front of so many people. I probably would have been gutted to get the hundred and lose, so it was perfect the way it worked out."

When Haffenden came to the crease there was little sign of the drama that was to unfold because Sidley were 7-3 with Scott Woodroffe, Peter Capon and Kashif Rasheed all back in the hutch.

But Haffenden joined forces with Anthony Plaice, who made a vital 59 on a one-off appearance during a visit to Sidley player Chris Milton, to launch the comeback.

Sidley, now unbeaten in three matches, then lost three quick wickets in the middle order and looked to be heading for a seventh defeat until Haffenden found two key allies.

His good friend Chris Deeprose made 25 at number nine before last season's captain Eddie Daniels contributed 32 in a match-winning stand of 81 for the ninth wicket.

By this stage Haffenden had beaten his previous best league score of 96 and Ian Rise (6 not out) helped him complete Sidley's first triumph since July 16, 2005 with two balls to spare.

Haffenden, whose marvellous vigil took his tally of runs to 226 in three innings, commented: "We always set out to get the 270. It was an excellent batting track and the outfield was fast. When we were walking off after they batted on it, a few of them were saying 'it's not a declarable score'."

It proved not to be a declarable score because Haffenden fashioned the highest individual league score by a Sidley player since Faisal Naveed's 127 against Bexhill on June 19, 2004. That particular game was also the last occasion Sidley topped 270 with the bat.

What's more, Haffenden became the first home grown Sidley first XI centurion since Woodroffe made 105 not out in a tie with Lewes Priory on June 29, 2002.

Despite his heroics, Haffenden didn't actually record the highest score of the game. That distinction belonged to Steyning opener Tom Trowbridge for his superb 133 not out. Nick Colley chipped in with 43 and Evan Miller clubbed 75 not out, while Phil Belfield and Woodroffe were the sole wicket-takers for Sidley.