IT was only a couple of months ago, during the easing of lockdown that many of you, possibly still furloughed, and with children in tow who should have been having some education either at home or in the classroom, flocked to packed beaches because we were all in the middle of a heat-wave.

What wonderful weather we were all having then.

It was so lucky that, during this time, outside sports were banned because, wind the clock forward a couple of months, start the cricket season and bring on the rain!

The Devon League has tried its hardest to make the rest of the summer at least a little interesting for cricket clubs by creating mini leagues of four teams playing six matches each.

The excitement mounted during the week as Sandford prepared to put out three sides on a Saturday for the very first time and have five officials in place as well.

Sean’s Second XI travelled to Exmouth and on arrival, although there were grey clouds, it did look like there was a possibility of some play.

The start had been put back to 1.15pm to allow the home captain to finish his morning shift, but apart from the covers over the wicket, not much else of the ground had been prepared.

Just as well as the heavens opened at 1pm, although this did not seem to disturb the many seagulls who were resting on the covers and the square.

If the game had proceeded it might have been necessary to sanitise the ball after every delivery considering the amount of bird poo on the ground.

After a deluge for half-an-hour everyone agreed that was it and we all returned to Sandford having had a nice trip to the seaside!

Theed’s Third’s made the short trip to Cheriton Fitzpaine, but the outcome was exactly the same, and they will have to wait to get the season going when they have a home fixture to Cullompton Second XI. The visitors have agreed to play on Sunday and this will allow the match to be played at Creedy Park.

So to the cricket that was played, and it is congratulations to Foanie’s Firsts, who took revenge over Hatherleigh for the pre-season friendly defeat.

For some reason the visiting captain, on winning the toss, decided to bat.

There had been early morning rain, the skies were heavy overhead and it looked as though there could be interruptions at any time and this proved to be the case.

A disciplined bowling display saw Hatherleigh bowled out for 119 in just under 40 overs. All six bowlers used took wickets with Chris Simpson taking 3 for 19, Shaun Fryett 2 for 18 and Richard Foan 2 for 8.

The innings had been interrupted and therefore Sandford were set 117 to win off 39 overs, which was amended to 75 off 21 overs after another interruption.

It is never easy having targets amended and going on and off the field of play but the victory was never really in doubt as Sandford got home with five wickets to spare and with more than four overs of their innings available.

The top three of Ryan Glass, Adam Small and Harrison Jones all made useful contributions.

This was one of less than 20 games to reach a conclusion in the whole of Devon and, therefore, puts Sandford in a very strong position in their mini league.

Last Saturday Foanie’s Firsts travelled to Instow to play North Devon and seemed to do their best to turn winning situations into the opposite.

Once again the opponents won the toss and elected to bat and at 57 for seven, must have been considering their position.

Jamie Palmer 4 – 24 and Harrison Jones 3 – 31 had ripped through the home team’s top order.

There then followed a 100 run partnership before Foanie and Ryan Glass came on to mop up the tail and send North Devon packing for 197.

After the early dismissal of Adam Small, Ryan Glass and Harrison Jones went serenely along to 108 for two but then Sandford experienced their own mini collapse.

After Ryan went for 68 Sandford then lost six wickets for 40 runs and found themselves on 149 -7 and still 49 to win. Once again Chris Simpson steered the First XI home, finishing on 34 not out, alongside his skipper who was 21 not out. The next two weekends are against the other unbeaten side in the group and will undoubtedly shape the outcome for the season so, hopefully, the determination shown in the first two games to get over the winning line can be repeated against Tiverton Heathcoat.

The Second XI entertained Clyst St George First XI and this was another game that was in the balance until the final wicket had fallen.

Batting first, Sandford had a great start with Chris Blake (72) and Tom Williams (42) putting on over 100 for the first wicket.

The middle order managed to find ways to get out cheaply and although Sandford still posted 218 for eight, there should have been more runs on the board.

Neil Maud (4 – 38) put Clyst St George under early pressure but they regrouped and had the game in their grasp until skipper Shaun Hawkins (3 – 20) came on and took the crucial wicket of their top scorer.

There wasn’t much else to follow and Sandford got home by 18 runs.

Just like the First XI the opposition over the next two weeks is the other unbeaten side in their mini league starting with Exeter Second XI at home this weekend.

Theed’s Thirds got off to a winning start at Creedy Park against Cullompton Second XI.

Batting first Sandford scored 217 for seven.

There was a maiden 76 ball century for Dan Uren who finished on 116 and was backed up by 25 not out from Simon Saunders and 22 from newcomer Matt Commin.

It was great to see so many Colts players making their contributions in the adult side but it was still the old timers who produced the goods on this occasion. Simon Saunders followed his batting contribution by taking three for 30.

In what can only be described as a strange coincidence, Matt Theedom came on to bowl and was the third captain of the weekend who got the wicket of the opposition batsman who was scoring the most runs and the most likeliest to grab victory away from Sandford. Cullompton finished on 207 for seven and a victory for Sandford by 11 runs.

As the cricket season has been greatly reduced there are many additional games being packed into a short space of time. Last week Sandford were beaten in a 20/20 friendly by Bovey Tracey and there will have been two extra evening fixtures against Cheriton Fitzpaine and Exeter before this newspaper goes to print.

One date you could all put in your diary is Sunday, August 16, when Devon will be playing Cornwall in a 50 over county match.

This replaces the three-day game Sandford is normally asked to host, but it should be a great day out with the bar being open and hopefully the normal barbecue available to all.

Fixtures this weekend: Saturday, August 8 - Second XI v Exeter Second XI - 1pm start; Sunday, August 9 - Third XI v Exwick Second XI - 1pm start.

Mike Canning