MCC visit Gullivers during centenary week

Marylebone Cricket Club, or The MCC as it is more commonly known, came to town for the centrepiece of Sidley's centenary celebrations on Wednesday.

Chairman Trevor Ramsden said: "The occasion was absolutely first class and we would like to thank The MCC for coming. It was nice to see some of the guests from The MCC and some of the past Sidley players too."

The Lord's-based club cruised to a 99-run success after rattling up an imposing score of 271-6 from 51.2 overs.

James Beeny, 64 of whose 72 runs came in boundaries, and Chris Grammer (57) put on 143 for the opening wicket before the total was swelled by Alex Collier (66) and Matt Bashford (32 not out).

Sidley's wicket-takers were Scott Woodroffe (2-126), Safi Ahmed (2-60) and Guy Montgomery (2-13).

The hosts were going along nicely at 50-1 in reply, but Jonathan Haffenden (24) and Safi (22) fell in quick succession and Sidley were soon in trouble at 81-6.

Woodroffe (31) and Peter King (15) made it 124-9 before Montgomery (28) and young Craig Ramsden (16 not out) took them up to 172 all out off 33.4 overs. Nick Creed, Bashford and Jonathan Crabtree all picked up two wickets.

Festivities began with a thoroughly enjoyable game against the East Sussex over-40s on Tuesday afternoon.

The guests batted first and reached 201-7 thanks in the main to 106 from Terry Penfold. Support came from Peter Goodsell (11), Dave Procter (19) and Andy Crouch (15 not out), while Montgomery (3-21), Gavin Warness, Woodroffe, Ian Northorpe and Lloyd Cook (one each) were the wicket-takers.

Sidley reached their target for the loss of eight wickets with the highlight being a 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Safi and Cook.

Safi top-scored with 80, while Warness (27), Cook (26), Northorpe (26) and Steve Ramsden (20) also made useful runs.

The wickets were claimed by Andy Shanks (2-35), Procter (2-23), Trevor Ramsden, Alan Hughes and Crouch (all one).

The Tivoli Auto Services-sponsored centenary week was due to conclude with a visit from a Hastings & District Cricket Association XI yesterday (Thursday August 17) and a match between past and present teams from Sidley and Bexhill today.

Ex-players will be arriving from far and wide for today's game, including Martin Grimes from the south of France and Andy Pugh, who has been playing minor counties cricket in Devon.

Anyone else wishing to come along and reunite with old friends and adversaries are more than welcome. A barbecue will also take place after the match which starts at 2pm.