WHILE the results on paper may not look that good - one win in the last three games – the team spirit has been excellent and training nights, in general are well supported.

Both Sandford Ladies games against Whitchurch, home, then away were well fought, evenly matched contests with a win apiece.

In recent years, Sandford have always underperformed with the bat at Topsham and sadly history repeated itself. On a positive note everyone is now even more determined to improve.

Whitchurch 175 – 2 C Griffin 55no L Smith 42 (M Johnson 2 – 25)

Sandford 161 – 7 L Miles 68 R Grisman 21 M Johnson 21 (C Griffin 3 – 19)

The hottest Sunday to date saw Sandford toil in the field with little reward and concede a few too many extras. Michelle Johnson took an early wicket to despatch one of the openers for three.

Lesley Smith and Cathy Griffin put on a stand of 98, during which Jackie Snell had them in all sorts of trouble. Johnson finally had Smith caught behind by Jane White.

Griffin continued on with Candy Copeling, who produced a quickfire 38 not out.

In reply, Sandford lost an early wicket but put together a series of useful partnerships to stay in contention.

A fourth wicket partnership of 82 between Johnson and skipper Lottie Miles kept Sandford's hopes alive at 153 for five off 32 overs.

An attempted run chase to get 23 runs off the last three overs did not quite come off but it was an excellent contest.

Whitchurch 110 – 7 A Hunt 15 G Northey 10 (C Maher 3 – 16 P Price 2 – 24)

Sandford 111 – 3 K Rouillard 31no M Johnson 24 J White 22 (J Austin 2-29)

With Miles, Tapp, Snell, Mingo and Grisman from the previous game all unavailable, Sandford were struggling to get a side out which, for some reason, is an annual occurrence for the away fixture at Whitchurch!

A chance email found Becky Folds just returned to the UK from overseas and fortunately keen to play again. Stella Mears and Kate Matten once again stepped into the breach, while 12-years-old Ellie Balsden made her debut for the senior side and her mum, Christa, got roped in to field to make a team of 10.

Whitchurch were obviously delighted at the absence of Lottie Miles and had even ensured they had plenty of spare balls as she enjoys hitting them out of their ground!

Electing to bat Whitchurch were soon in trouble and gave Sandford confidence to fight on under the steady guidance of Kirsty Rouillard who used her limited bowling attack to good effect.

Carole Maher produced a consistent line and irritating length to persuade batsmen to offer catches and finished with a confidence boosting three for 16 off her allotted seven overs.

At 53 for six Sandford were keen to wrap it up but Mr Extra had other ideas and let Whitchurch post a more respectable total!

Ellie Balsden fielded and bowled with maturity to be rewarded with a wicket. In reply after the loss of an early wicket, Rouillard played the anchor role in partnerships with White, Johnson and Folds to see Sandford safely home to an extremely satisfying win.

A huge thank you to everyone who put themselves out to make sure we fulfilled this fixture.

Topsham 156 – 3 J Thorne 56 H Jones 47 J Summers 19 (B Folds 2 – 1)

Sandford 98 – 9 J White 18 P Price 9 J Snell 8 no (F Dennehy 3 – 19)

Oh dear the above says it all. On paper Sandford had a strong batting and bowling line up but for some reason it all went pear shaped as is often the case at Topsham.

Batting first Topsham put on 49 for the first wicket before Summers was caught behind by Jane White off the bowling of Lottie Miles.

Despite several bowling changes the partnership between Thorne and Jones remained unbroken for 104 runs until the last over, when Becky Folds had Jones well caught by Emma Mingo and then Thorne caught behind.

Bowling extras were again a feature but, in general, the bowling was more disciplined than in previous games.

The target was achievable and we were quietly confident that we could do it if we played to the best of our ability.

Sadly it was not be as without exception we all underperformed. White and Rose Grisman started steadily but a middle order collapse with a few things that go "quack" saw Sandford slide to 37 for five.

White and Penny Price put together a partnership to improve the situation for a while before having a mix up in calling and it was left to Jackie Snell to hold the lower order together and bat out the 35 overs for a bonus point and deny Topsham maximum bowling points. It can only get better.

The next DWCA League game is Sunday, June 28 at Creedy Park against Torquay.

The ladies give their thanks to Glen Lammonby of Island Cricket for the generous donation of two cricket bats for their use.

Training nights vary between Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6.45pm according to players' commitments, so please contact Jane on 07970 411791 for up-to-date information.

Everyone is welcome to attend training and if there is anyone out there who would be willing to score for us, even on an occasional basis, please get in touch.

JW