FOR those of you who were disappointed that you were unable to enjoy the first weekend of cricket at Creedy Park then let me assure you that you were far better off inside the warmth of your own houses.
The bitterly cold wind on both Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11, meant that although the sun did shine for quite a lot of the time the actual temperature made conditions really unbearable.
Many were dressed in three or even four layers of clothing and many woolly hats were in attendance.
To be fair there was only an occasional visitor who had to be asked to turn around which was greatly appreciated by the Chief Steward who on Saturday was warmly wrapped up in his car getting excited as his team Leeds United were putting one over on league leaders Manchester City!
But now the Club is allowed to accept you all to the ground this weekend when tomorrow, Saturday, the First XI are entertaining Exeter University.
The Clubhouse is closed to everyone apart from access to the toilets which is through the main entrance door following the one way directions.
We would ask everyone attending to continue to follow the strict Covid guidelines with regard to social distancing on the seating and grass areas available and you are advised that all drinks will be ordered through table service only.
The match starts at 1pm and at about 3pm the players will be lining up in front of the pavilion to honour the National one minute silence for His Royal Highness Prince Philip whose funeral is taking place at this time.
Sport throughout the country is taking this moment of reflection and it is hoped that all in attendance during the game will join the players and show due respect.
So how did the first weekend go on the field of play. The most important fact from the two games was that 18 different players managed to don their whites and get some important time on the field of play.
Bradninch were the visitors and Gary Chappell had his normal great day against Sandford.
After he had scored his customary century he walked off to allow others to bat and in their 40 overs the visitors scored 249 for seven.
Things had started really well when Josh King took a wicket with the fourth ball of his new career in the Kingfisher kit. He went on to finish with three for 59 off his 10 overs.
Jamie Palmer picked up two wickets and there was one apiece for skipper Richard Foan and Pete Steer.
In reply none of the Sandford batsmen could play the big knock that was needed to glue the innings together and the team finished on 216 for seven.
There were contributions of 37 from Richard Foan, 34 from Harrison Jones, 24 from Laurence Walker making his debut for Sandford after his move from Ottery St Mary and 23 from Ryan Glass.
On Sunday, April 11 it was the first competitive fixture of the season when Sandford entertained Bideford in the North Devon League.
Batting first, after winning the toss, the visitors found it really hard work to get the scoreboard moving as they regularly lost wickets.
Brian Leach, on his 20th or 30th comeback out of retirement, took two for 27 before he collapsed in a heap with exhaustion!
There was also two wickets apiece for both Jack Prescott and Liam Gardner but a rather disappointing total of 35 wides meant that Bideford reached 156 for eight off their 40 overs.
Enter Shaun Hawkins to play the innings that was missing the day before.
His 12 fours and four sixes saw him club his way to an impressive 94 and with Laurence Walker, following his useful knock the previous day and finishing unbeaten on 44, Sandford won by eight wickets with nearly 14 overs still available to them. The game finished just after 6pm but before everyone could leave the ground it started to snow!
So now Sandford Cricket Club is happy to welcome you all back to Creedy Park.
Please be respectful of the Covid guidelines that everyone has to adhere to and if you are in attendance tomorrow at around 3pm, then please join the players in the minute’s silence.
To those of you who may become regular visitors are you aware that for only £8 you can become a Social Member of the Club and your financial support is always gratefully received? Just ask a Matten or a Theedom or any committee member and they’ll be delighted to give you the membership form.
So we’re off. We’re ready to play and we’re ready for your support. Let us hope that many of you will enjoy an afternoon of cricket as the temperature rises, the summer evenings get longer and who knows by mid-June even the Covid restrictions could even be gone!
Mike Canning