Sidley inch closer to survival

The Gullivers outfit dropped back a place to second-from-bottom, but pulled a further two points clear of their rock-bottom opponents.

Sidley totalled 233-9 and in reply, Worthing finished on 180-8.

Player Scott Woodroffe said: "Coming away only two points better than them was disappointing because we did play really well, but we've got to take the positives. We got a lot of runs on the board and fielded and bowled really well."

Jonathan Haffenden's side is now 10 points clear of Worthing with four games to go, but two more wickets would have extended that cushion to 26.

Woodroffe added: "It was obviously frustrating. It was a good all-round performance, but we just couldn't get the last two."

Sidley had their visitors on the back foot for most of their reply as Safi Ahmed, bowling his off-spin for the first time following a finger injury, returned figures of 6-54. But a crucial 55 not out from David Rogers and 43 by Ben Shelford denied Sidley a fourth consecutive home win.

Another positive for Sidley, who have now lost only one of their last eight fixtures, was that they proved they could post a sizeable total without a major contribution from Safi. The Indian overseas player recorded centuries in both his first two appearances for the club, but fell cheaply on this occasion.

Solid knocks from Haffenden (44), Woodroffe (38) and Chris Deeprose (36), however, ensured they picked up maximum batting points despite Andy Lutwyche claiming 4-69.

While they may still be very much in the mire as regards their league position, events of recent weeks have been far better for Sidley as the form guide testifies. They have collected 119 points from their last six outings, a figure bettered only by fourth-placed Stirlands' haul of 130.

Woodroffe concluded: "That just shows how well we're playing."