AFTER two excellent weekends for Sandford Cricket Club the wheels well and truly "came off the proverbial bus" this week!

True the First Eleven beat Hatherleigh but the real drama was behind the scenes and off the field of play.

Unbelievably, the Second Eleven, now playing in the Premier League for second teams, could only manage to get six players to travel to Plymouth and had to forfeit the game and incur a penalty, which has completely undone the heroics of the previous two weeks.

A combination of players who are injured, back at school or university, away for the weekend or other made it impossible for Paul Smith to raise a side.

This has really brought the second team back into the relegation zone, although over the next three weeks they do play the sides at the bottom of the league.

Let's hope sufficient players are able to make themselves available so that all fixtures can be honoured.

The First Eleven did well to defeat Hatherleigh by 25 runs as three members of the Second Eleven had to be promoted to cover unavailability.

At one stage, Sandford were in a deep trouble at 120 for seven despite a good knock of 53 by Linton Terblanche.

Ryan Glass then played a very mature innings of 53 and helped the tail get the total to a defendable 192.

Hatherleigh were always behind the run rate because of some very disciplined bowling.

Having scored 22 runs earlier, Matt Theedom then led the attack with figures of three for 30 and was well backed up by two wickets from both Linton and Simon Ashplant.

A real challenge faces them this week as they travel to unbeaten league leaders, Tiverton Heathcoat, who have ex Somerset player, Steffan Jones, in their side.

If there is a positive for the Second Eleven to take, then it is the fact that three weeks ago the Sunday First Eleven were unable to raise a side and then have roared back with two thumping victories over teams struggling in the league.

First, Filleigh were dispatched by 165 runs, with Shaun Hawkins scoring 109 and Linton Terblanche finishing unbeaten on 91.

There were then three wickets each for Pete Steer, Shaun Hawkins and Steve Morish, who showed a new talent with his slow right arm bowling.

Then Barnstaple were completely outplayed and lost by a thumping eight wickets.

Their total of 208 always looked about 100 short of a good total and so it proved, as Sandford romped home with almost 20 overs left.

Debutante, Neil Gregory, led the attack with two for 36 but all the bowlers managed to go for only four an over, which was never going to be enough.

Linton Terblanche then completed his maiden century to win the game at a canter.

RESULTS

Sandford First Eleven beat Hatherleigh by 25 runs:

Sandford 192 - Linton Terblanche 53, Ryan Glass 53, Matt Theedom 22.

Hatherleigh 167 all out - Matt Theedom 3-30, Linton Terblanche 2-36, Simon Ashplant 2-30.

Sunday First Eleven beat Filleigh by 165 runs:

Sandford 314 for 8 - Shaun Hawkins 109, Linton Terblanche 91no, Richard Tucker 49.

Filleigh 149 all out - Peter Steer 3-10, Shaun Hawkins 3-19, Steve Morish 3-28.

Sunday First Eleven beat Barnstaple by eight wickets:

Barnstaple 208 for 7 - Neil Gregory 2-36.

Sandford 210 for 2 - Linton Terblanche 104no, George Greed 40, Shaun Hawkins 32, Russell Discombe 26.

MC