AFTER waiting many weeks to be able to report a victory on the same day for all three Sandford Cricket Club’s Saturday teams it is a pleasure to let you know that after last week’s three wins this has been followed up by another three.
What is a more incredible coincidence is that each of the three teams won by exactly the same margin with the First XI having 20 overs to spare, the Second XI having a massive 30 overs to spare and the Third XI having 10 overs to spare.
Following their victory against Hatherleigh the First XI travelled to Paignton full of confidence, although without the injured Jackson Thompson.
Asking the home team to bat first brought its rewards as economical bowling from all meant the home batsmen always found progress difficult.
Leading the attack were Jack Ford and Andrew Buzza who returned identical figures of four for 27.
Lawrence Walker led the run chase with an undefeated 59 and he was well supported by Adam Small who scored 34 and Harrison Jones who seemed in a hurry to finish the game as he contributed a quick fire undefeated 32 as Sandford romped home by eight wickets.
The win takes the team up to equal third in the table with a home game this Saturday (June 18) against Plymouth who share third, so a good game should be in prospect.
The Second XI have shot to the top of their league after having handed out an absolute mauling to Exeter Second XI.
Opting to bat first, Exeter never got going against the opening attack of Brian Leach and Shaun Fryett.
The scorebook shows that Chris Jelley was the most successful bowler with four for 20 but it was the opening pair who laid the foundation. Plus the hands of Ryan Glass.
It was one of those days that wherever he stood the ball went to him and it is a very rare occurrence for a fielder to take five catches.
In fairness it probably should have been six but he managed to drop a catch off Chris Jelley, which would have given Chris a five wicket haul and the headlines taken away from Ryan.
Skipper Shaun Hawkins took two for 29 and then scored an undefeated 50 off 25 balls.
This followed a good opening partnership between Jon James, 44, and Tom (the Tash) Williams, 26, as Sandford strolled home by eight wickets.
A tricky visit to Uplyme follows this Saturday (June 18) which could show how strong this side is.
Have you guessed yet that the Third XI won by eight wickets?
Playing Axminster Second XI they restricted the visitors to 138 for seven. Jack James took two for 18 and the joint players of the match then contributed with both bat and ball.
Joe Hopkins took two for 22 and scored an undefeated 29 not out as he shared a match winning third wicket partnership of 112 with Ellie Bishop. Ellie followed up her bowling figures of two for 27 with an undefeated 70 which helped to consolidate the third place in the league for the team. Completing the tricky fixtures for all three sides this weekend is a home match for the Third XI against second placed Woodbury.
Thursday (June 9) saw the T20 side defeat North Devon in Round Two of the Sunbelt Rentals T20 competition.
Batting first in a rain affected game Sandford scored 143 for five off 13 overs with Harrison Jones scoring 45 off 17 balls, Ryan Glass scoring 41 off 27 balls, Adam Small 24 off 18 and Sandy Allen 16 off eight.
Jack Ford returned two for 22 and Harrison Jones bowled his three overs for 19 runs.
The reward for victory is an away trip to Exeter this Sunday afternoon (June 19).
Fixtures this week
Saturday, June 18 - First XI v Plymouth with a 12.30 start.
Saturday, June 18 - Third XI v Woodbury with a 1pm start - Newton St Cyres.
Tuesday, June 21 - Crediton Milling v Graphic with a 6pm start.
Mike Canning