SANDFORD Cricket Club's First XI start to the 2025 season suffered another setback on Saturday when they lost to Paignton by 42 runs.

Things did not start well for Sandford with half of the first 50 runs scored by Paignton were extras bowled by the Sandford bowlers.

As a result the home team were able to “cash in”, and ending up racking up 294 for nine from their 50 overs with captain Luke Medlock smacking 132 from only 113 balls (14 fours and 5 sixes). No other home batter passed 24 which showed how important his knock was to the hosts.

Byron Knowles was the only bowler to take three or more wickets for Sandford at a cost of 45 runs in seven overs.

In reply Sandford made the worst possible start, losing their Devon “stars” Adam Small and Lawrence Walker inside the first three overs of the Sandford innings, both for ducks. Skipper Jackson Thompson did his best to halt the slide and crashed his way to 63 from only 38 balls including seven fours and four sixes.

However, things looked bleak for Sandford at 127 for seven, when Aryan Lakra, Sandford's overseas player, was joined by Praison Alias.

Together they added 125 runs for the 8th wicket before Praison was out for an impressive 52 (52 balls four fours and a six). Aryan followed shortly afterwards for an even more impressive 98 (90 balls three fours eight sixes), and the innings subsided shortly afterwards to 252 all out in 42.5 overs.

Sandford gained nine points from the loss, and as a consequence slipped to 7th in the Devon League Premier Division. This Saturday they travel to Exmouth for a 12.30pm start.

Phil Matten