SANDFORD Cricket Club Thirds suffered only their second defeat of the season last Saturday when they entertained Torquay and Kingskerswell Thirds at Creedy Park on the second ground.

Due to availability issues in the 1st and 2nds, the 3rds unfortunately put out a very depleted team, consisting of mainly youngsters, which is a good thing, but not necessarily when you're playing one of the better teams in their Division.

Having lost the toss and being asked to bat first the 3rds made an awful start and were 1-2 after three balls of their innings, and that one was a wide.

One-two quickly became 7-3 and only thanks to the middle order hanging around for a while, any form of respectability in their eventual total of 114 all out in only 23.4 overs was thanks to them.

Jason Matten 24 (4 fours) and Rhys James 23 (3 fours and a six) were the only batters to get past 20.

In reply Torquay 3rds suffered a bit of a shock as they too collapsed to 46 for 4.

In the end it was only due to one of their batters smacking a quickfire 69 (5 fours and 6 sixes) that they passed the Sandford total in 21 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Only Glyn Baker was able to apply any concerted pressure with 2-22 (4).

This loss dropped the 3rds down to third position in G Division Central, with Shobrooke Park Seconds having overtaken them into second place, but having played a game more. This Saturday the Thirds are at home again, this time to Hatherleigh Thirds. 1pm start.

The 3rds Richard Tidball T20 Cup match that was due to be played last Sunday week was called off as their opposition - Devon Medics - were unable to raise a side, and so the 3rds now progress to the next round.

Phil Matten