SO April has brought dry weather but bitterly cold winds.

Cricketers have dusted off their clothing, have attended nets and maybe even played in a practice match or two – all in readiness for the start of a full Devon League programme which gets underway this Saturday.

COVID restrictions are with us until at least June 21, so as much as we look forward to seeing you at Creedy Park, we do ask that you comply with the guidance we have put in place.

Many clubs are not in as lucky a situation as Sandford as spectators are still not permitted to attend amateur sports fixtures.

However, if the club has a bar and is serving drinks you may sit at one of the seating areas supplied and be served while having the additional advantage of watching the cricket.

The toilets are available within the clubhouse but please enter through the main door of the pavilion and follow the one-way signage.

The past two weekends saw a friendly fixture played against a very enthusiastic Exeter University side.

It has been good to see the enthusiasm shown by all cricketers during the month in these friendly fixtures.

After the recent times that we have all endured there does seem to be a general belief that we could be returning to some kind of normality by the end of June.

This past weekend saw two internal 20-over matches played between Team Sand and Team Ford.

Fittingly one game was won by each side but the spirit of all players shows that even against their own team mates there was the desire to do the best they could.

It was an opportunity for the club to thank Barny Butterfield of Sandford Orchards, who has very kindly sponsored the men’s and ladies’ clothing.

The club wishes to thank those members of the club who helped get names, numbers and initials on to all elements of clothing and especially Matt Theedom, who proudly now wears a shirt on the back of which is clearly written?‘Theddom’!

On Sunday the North Devon League side recorded their second win of the season with a resounding eight-wicket victory against Filleigh.

Batting first, Filleigh could only score 143 all out. Having had two weeks to recover after his opening burst of the season, Brian Leach ripped through the top order taking four for nine.

Veteran Jonathan James took two for 19 and there was one wicket apiece for his son Jack, Liam Gardner, Tom Gidney and Pete Steer.

Sandford wasted no time in chasing down the total and won with more than half the overs still to spare.

Pete Steer scored 25 and Elliott Butterfield 26 but the knock of the day was in the hands of James Theedom who finished unbeaten on 57.

The Sandford Community Cricket League starts on Tuesday. Crediton Rugby Club, Sandford Football Club, Sandford CC Colts and Parents, Yeoford Cricket Club (making their debut in the competition), Graphic and the Three Little Pigs will set off on their journey to win the Barrie Sparham OBE Memorial Trophy.

On a Tuesday or a Wednesday evening a 16-overs-a-side match will take place, leading up to Finals Day which this year is being held on Sunday July 18.

By a strange quirk of the fixture listings, the unplayed final of 2019 is between two teams who are drawn to play on this very day, so it could be that two finals are played within two hours of each other and the possible winner of that trophy only holding it for that length of time. Can you cope with the excitement? Watch this space for updates.

So the competitive sport begins now. We look forward to welcoming you at Creedy Park but while the COVID restrictions are in place please help us by following the guidance.

? Fixtures: Saturday, May 1, 2nd XI v Whimple. 1pm start.

Tuesday, May 4, Graphic v Yeoford, 6.15pm start.