WHILST a few controversial umpiring decisions didn’t help Sandford’s Cricket Club’s First XI cause last Saturday, a couple of early innings collapses at 15 for 3 and 76 for 6, certainly didn’t help their position either at home to second in the table Exmouth.

An eventual score of 178 all out in 35 overs was considered somewhat of a recovery.

Leading that recovery was a 7th wicket stand of 82 between Sandford’s overseas star Aryan Lakra with 67 (10 fours and a six) and skipper Jackson Thompson 37 (3 fours and a six), but once JT departed the tail unfortunately didn’t wag, and the inevitable end came at 178 after only 35 overs

Devon opening bowler George Greenway did most of the damage for Exmouth with 5 for 33 from 8 overs.

In response Exmouth lost wickets at regular intervals, but Sandford couldn’t remove Devon opener James Horler 70 (11 fours) who proved to be the difference between the two sides, despite video evidence showing that he was clearly run out by quite a distance at one point, which was one of the decisions that went against Sandford. However umpires can only give what they see and they are human.

A 6th wicket stand of 66 between Exmouth’s overseas player I.Fisher 31 (3 fours and a six) and Horler paved the way for their team’s win, which in the end was achieved by 3 wickets with over 8 overs remaining at 180 for 7.

This loss was made even worse by the three teams below Sandford all winning, and the gap between Sandford in seventh spot and Heathcoat in the first relegation spot has now been narrowed to 22 points, and guess who Sandford have to play next week – yes Heathcoat away with a 12.30pm start.

In fact they have to play all of the three teams below them, so the ball is very much in their own court.

Phil Matten