SANDFORD Cricket Club’s Second Eleven’s will always rely on the availability of members. If there are absences from the top Eleven then this has a knock-on effect to the side in addition to any general availability issues.

In four games 22 players have already been used but the signs are that availability might be becoming more stable.

The month of May started with a loss against Paignton who could well be considered favourites to win promotion back to the Second Eleven Premier Division.

Ben Clement mesmerised the batsmen and finished with a five-wicket haul and then followed this up with 46 runs.

He was sadly only supported by skipper, Rory Miller, who made a solid 54 and Sandford fell 31 runs short of the target of 175.

There were smiles for the rest of the month though with the team recording convincing wins against Braunton, Lewdown and Abbotskerswell.

Brian Leach and Ben Clement were rewarded with good performances with promotion to the First Eleven showing that the selection committee are looking at the statistics within the club.

Against Braunton Simon Saunders took four wickets and then Chris Blake and Rory Miller scored the 80 runs to win in 12 overs.

Taking wickets at Lewdown proved harder but veteran Nigel Ashplant scored 52 and Sandford got over the line by eight wickets thanks to some lusty blows from Jim Shepherd.

It was plain sailing again against Abbotskerswell with Rory Miller scoring another 50. This time he was joined by Tom Williams who top scored with 63 and then took two wickets.

Pick of the bowlers was Greg Lewis who showed a welcome return to form taking six for 24.

June starts with a top of the table clash away to Bideford so it will be interesting to see if this turnaround of fortune can be maintained or whether any availability issues will rear their ugly head again!

Mike Canning