Devon Premier League
SANDFORD v TORQUAY
Sandford 82 all out
Torquay 83 for 2
SANDFORD began their Devon League campaign with a heavy defeat against an equally young, but on this showing, much more competent, Torquay outfit.
Having lost the toss, Sandford were caught on a seamer-friendly wicket which was exploited to the full by Rice who claimed eight wickets for 21 runs.
From a position of some strength, 51 for one, Sandford lost their last nine wickets for a mere 31 runs, being bowled out for a paltry 82.
Although Torquay were made to fight for every run they won with few alarms, and plenty overs to spare, to leave Sandford licking their wounds.
SANDFORD v
NORTH DEVON
Sandford 156 for 9,A.Small 33, T.Mostert 38, R.Tucker 30
North Devon 157 for 3
Adrian Small's bad luck with the toss continued, Sandford were invited to bat, doing so with no real conviction to be restricted to 156 for nine from their 50 overs.
Small, Tianne Mostert and Richard Tucker did their utmost at the top of the order but all perished in the thirties when trying to up the tempo whilst the middle and lower order batsmen simply occupied the crease.
On an easing wicket the Instow batsmen overtook the Sandford target without a major scare.
If Sandford are to make progress up the league from their present basement position at least two of the top five must make half centuries, whilst the middle and lower order learn, and quickly, how to make runs in the Premier Division.
It's a hard school!
Devon League
Second Eleven
Premier Division
SANDFORD v
HATHERLEIGH
Hatherleigh 118 all out, R.Glass 4 for 34, P.Steer 3 for 32
Sandford 120 for 1, P.Smith 51 no, N.Ashplant 52
Newly promoted Hatherleigh were no match for a young Sandford bowling attack, all under 17s, who rolled them over for 118.
Both teams were weakened by absentees to promotion and relegation football commitments but all Sandford's youngsters made best use of their opportunities.
Ryan Glass (4), Peter Steer (3), Toby Lockhead (2) and Peter Rowe (1) were the wicket takers in a thoroughly accurate performance.
Youth was replaced by experience at the top of the batting order where skipper Nigel Ashplant and Paul Smith put together an opening partnership of 110 which all but saw the game won.
The onset of cramp and shortness of breath were the only real problems encountered in an excellent performance which brought back happy memories!
SANDFORD v NORTH DEVON
North Devon 210 for 9, P.Steer 3 for 46
Sandford 176 for 9, B.Eames 52, B.Leach 33
Despite three victims for the club's leading wicket taker Peter Steer and two each from Toby Lochead, Brian Leach and Shaun Cockram, the young Sandford bowling attack did not perform to the level of the previous week, allowing the visitors to score twenty more than they should.
Whilst Bob Eames and Leach were at the wicket victory seemed a possibility but both fell in quick succession and the shutters were up.
Steer made a sound 27 to top off a good all-round performance and earn Sandford 10 points to add to last week's 20.
North Devon League Division Three
SANDFORD v NORTH DEVON
Sandford 251 for 3, S.Ashplant 118 no, B.Eames 40, J.Matten 37
North Devon 118 for 6
SANDFORD V WESTLEIGH
Sandford 171 all out, R.Discombe 48, C.Theedom 34
Westleigh 138 all out, S.Morish 3 for 10, S.Ashplant 3 for 28
SANDFORD V
BRATTON FLEMING
Sandford 325 for 6, R.Discombe 132, R.Tucker 112
Bratton Fleming 263 for 7
Following two heavy defeats Simon Ashplant skippered Sandford Sunday Second Eleven to three comfortable wins on the bounce making them the form team of the division.
Against North Devon Ashplant led the way with his maiden century for the club, demonstrating that he has the capacity to score runs more often at a higher level.
A solid 40 from Bob Eames, playing his second game in two days, and an enterprising 37 from Jason Matten saw Sandford to a big score.
A weak Instow side showed little enterprise in chasing the target but were restricted by some very accurate bowlers of whom Ben Clement, making his club debut, took two wickets.
A closer game against Westleigh saw Sandford run out winners by 33 runs, achieved mainly by an opening partnership of 82 by Russell Discombe and Simon Ashplant (29).
Chris Theedom's was the only other major contribution with the bat but a superb bowling performance by Steve Morish (three for 10 from 7.2 overs), during which he dismissed danger man Ford, and good support from Ashplant brought Sandford to a good win.
The match against Bratton Fleming was notable for a sublime opening partnership of 214 between Russell Discombe and Richard Tucker, each scoring a well deserved century. If only runs were as easy to come by in the Premier Division!
Bratton made a spirited reply but fell 52 runs short, Mike Canning starting his season with a couple of wickets.
CL