I’M not sure that I’ve ever reported on such a weird set of results for Sandford Cricket Club.

The Saturday First Eleven were soundly thrashed by their closest rivals, the Saturday Second Eleven had an excellent win over the bottom side in the league, the Sunday First Eleven had a walkover win as bottom side Bratton Fleming couldn’t raise a side but still lost points because the Sunday Second Eleven couldn’t raise a side to go to Westleigh and will therefore be docked points at the end of the season.

I would imagine that even though there are still seven games to be played this season the First Eleven can start to prepare for life back in the ‘A’ Division.

What is more disappointing is the manner of their defeat against their closest rivals Bradninch.

Winning the toss and batting only Richard Foan (62) and Faisal Iqbal (51) made any contribution with the bat as Sandford were bowled out for 183 by the end of the 45th over.

Less than 22 overs later and without losing a wicket the home team had cantered to a victory which leaves Sandford well adrift at the bottom and Exeter visiting Creedy Park this weekend.

I believe the club knew life in the Premier League would be a challenge but hopefully the side will stick together for the rest of this year’s campaign and build some strong camaraderie to take into the next season.

The Second Eleven had a great win over bottom side Uplyme and Lyme Regis but still find themselves flirting with relegation.

This is due to the fact that many sides are beating each other and therefore the final placings could be in doubt until almost the last week of the season.

Losing the toss and having to field, Sandford did well to restrict a completely different side from earlier in the season to 230 for nine on what looked an absolute belter of a batting wicket.

Brian Leach (2 – 29) and Harvey Blake (3 – 53) led from the front but it was skipper Shaun Hawkins who was the star of the show. He took four wickets for 35 runs and then followed this up by scoring an undefeated 130.

He shared an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 136 with Dan Uren who finished unbeaten on 43 after Adam Small had set the ball rolling with a knock of 30.

The seven-wicket victory means that the Seconds have back-to-back victories for the first time this season and hopefully this form can be taken into this Saturday’s fixture away to Clyst St George.

As mentioned earlier, the Sunday First Eleven’s home game against Bratton Fleming was conceded. The previous three Sundays have seen the side record two victories and a defeat.

Against Newton Tracey Faisal Iqbal got his maiden century for Sandford as he scored 130 not out in a total of 278 for five.

Tom Williams scored 50 not out and Tom Gidney 37. Newton Tracey were bowled out for 227 as Sandford won by 51 runs with Jack Prescott taking three for 37.

Sandford were blown away by league leaders Hatherleigh. Shaun Hawkins top scored with 84 and Pete Steer scored 56 but there was not much else in a total of 188 all out.

Hatherleigh romped home by six wickets as Richard Foan and Matt Uren took two wickets apiece.

There were three wickets for Liam Gardner and two each for Richard Foan and Alex Stevens as Filleigh were bowled out for 174.

Acting skipper Freddie Filor then scored an unbeaten 89 and Tom Williams 32 as Sandford eased home by six wickets with half their overs unused.

Games this weekend at Creedy Park:

Saturday, July 21: First Eleven v Exeter, start 12.30pm.

Sunday, July 22: Second Eleven v Beaford, start 1.30pm.

Mike Canning