Sidley suffer heavy defeat

The root of their problems rests squarely on the shoulders of failing to post a competitive total with the bat.

A mere 192 runs have been scored in their last two innings and, however threatening the bowling attack may be, that doesn't leave much room for error.

Sidley were dismissed for 108 this time out, a target Preston managed with the minimum of fuss.

"We're just not at the races with the bat at the moment," lamented captain Scott Woodroffe. "We've struggled to get decent batting practice on training nights (due to facilities) and we've not had a lot of match practice. Once you get a low score and follow it up with another one there's a little bit of a lack of confidence but I'm sure it will come in the end."

When anxiety creeps in a solid start is essential in order to remove some of the frayed nerve ends. But Sidley again lost early wickets and things never really picked up too much.

The one exception to the rule was Excel Sports Management man of the match Peter King whose unbeaten 48 was "as good an innings as he's played in a long time" according to his skipper.

Swift to punish anything loose and lethal off his pads, King gave the target a modicum of respectability but eventually ran out of partners although Matt Shoesmith's performance was full of promise for the remainder of the campaign.

King was also red hot with the ball for the second week running, taking both wickets to fall as Sidley displayed "fantastic" spirit in the field.

"It was just disappointing we couldn't get ourselves into it with the bat because if we get a total of 180 we would make a game of it with anyone," Woodroffe concluded.

Sidley are back at Gullivers on Saturday June 5 for the visit of Pulborough.