WITH Finals Day approaching tomorrow, Sunday, July 18 - Three Little Pigs have booked their place in the 2021 Final, but against who - that is the question?

After four rounds of matches this year, the Pigs are so far undefeated having won their four matches to-date.

This means they have already qualified for the 2021 final.

Their last match will be against the Rugby Club, and this game will act as a "double-header", with the winners not only claiming two points in this year’s competition, but also claiming the 2019 title, which unfortunately was unable to reach a suitable conclusion at that time.

This had been cancelled due to poor weather on the original set date and reserve date, and with Coronavirus making it impossible to play the game at the "on-set" of the 2020 season, a decision was made to scrap the competition completely for 2020. Hence the 2019 final remained un-played.

Who will the Pigs play in this year’s final is an interesting question?

Ironically, Yeoford CC and Sandford Football Club play each other in the first game of Finals Day, and the whoever manages to secure a victory will meet the Pigs in the Final at the end of the day.

The Football Club are currently in pole position, having won three of their games, and lost one, with Yeoford having won two, lost one and had one cancelled.

Although the Rugby Club could technically qualify, it would require them to beat the Pigs, and for the game between Yeoford and Football Club to be cancelled for some reason.

Since my last report, Yeoford have won one and lost one, with their victory coming against the Sandford Youth and Parents team, 117-93, and their loss against the Pigs 121-153. The other two games saw the Youth and Parents lose a very close game to the Football Club 110-114, and Rugby Club beat Graphic 126-110.

So the standings with just the Finals Day games to come, with all teams having played four games, are Pigs won four, lost 0, eight points; Football Club W3 L1, six points; Yeoford W2 L1 Cancelled one, five points; Rugby Club W1 L1 C2, four points, Sandford Youth and Parents W0 L3 C1, one point; Graphic W0 L4, 0 points.

The running order for Finals Day tomorrow, Sunday, will see Football Club v Yeoford kick-off proceedings at 11am, with the Rugby Club v Pigs game starting at approximately 1.15pm, followed by Graphic v Sandford Youth and Parents at 3.30pm, and the Grand Final at 6pm.

There will be an all-day barbecue for players and spectators to enjoy, and following the conclusion of the Final the winners will be presented the Barrie Sparham OBE Memorial Trophy, which will be presented by Barrie’s widow, Sue.

I would like to conclude by thanking everyone who has taken part in this competition this year, including the Sandford Club members, who have acted as umpires for all the games, as well as Louise James, Jackie Coren and Bert Carbert for their scoring duties, not forgetting of course all of the teams and their players.

If you fancy a day of fun and enjoyment please come along to Creedy Park tomorrow, Sunday, July 18, and soak up the entertainment that will be on offer. I can assure you, you will not be disappointed. The bar will be open.

The following weekend sees Sandford Cricket Club host a three-day game for Devon County Cricket Club.

On Sunday, July 25, Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27 Wales will be the visitors.

With only two clubs in the county hosting three-day games, this is one of the highest honours that Sandford Cricket Club could receive. Each day’s play begins at 11am and there will be more details in next week’s "Courier".

The First XI continued their fine run of form with a convincing 63 run win over Exmouth. In a rain affected match reduced to 40 overs Sandy Allen and Harrison Jones once again led from the front after the early dismissal of Ryan Glass.

Sandy top scored with 80 and Harrison was close by with 71 as the pair put on 155 for the second wicket.

There then followed a clatter of wickets as the middle order tried to accelerate at the end and the Sandford innings closed on 184 for eight.

Wickets tumbled regularly for the home side as Harrison got into the Exmouth batsmen with two early wickets and he was backed by with two for Josh King and then four for Pete Steer who continued his run of fine form that is keeping him in the First XI rather than skippering the Second XI.

Exmouth were all out for 131 and incurred the wrath of the umpires on two separate occasions, gifting Sandford an additional 10 penalty runs.

Fixtures this weekend: Today, Saturday, July 17 - First XI v Bovey Tracey - 12.30pm; Tomorrow, Sunday, July 18 - Community League Finals; Sunday, July 25 - Devon v Wales.

Phil Matten and Mike Canning