IN my article on July 27 I said that Sandford would have to win at least three of their last six games to stay in the Premier Division as they were more than 40 points adrift of safety.

Beyond everyone’s expectations, and coupled with an improved end-of-season performance from Bradninch, the First Eleven in the end needed to, and did win, five games and having done so avoided the drop by two points at the expence of Bradninch.

This is an incredible achievement. After 12 matches Sandford had totalled 82 points. In the last six games they amassed 105 and can now look forward to another season in the top flight of cricket in Devon.

What made the day even more special was that the Second Eleven avoided being relegated as well.

The First Eleven went into their final league game of the season knowing that victory for Tiverton Heathcoat would crown them as champions and consign Sandford to the A Division.

Captain Courageous, Richard Foan, has stayed positive outwardly throughout all the season and saved the final game to produce his best performance of the season under what must have been incredible pressure.

Tiverton won the toss and batted which must have caused a few wobbles in the visitors changing room as the week before, when the Second Eleven played there, the wicket became almost unplayable in the second innings.

At 159 for two Tiverton were moving serenely towards a large total when Richard brought himself on and quickly took three wickets.

With Jamie Palmer also dismissing the dangerous Jack Dart, Tiverton slumped to 179 for seven. They finished on 217 for nine with Richard taking four for 34.

There must have been some slight worries at tea when news came through that Bradninch had bowled out Plymouth, without their star player Riaz, for only 87.

This meant that if they picked up maximum batting points there was nothing that Sandford could do to avoid relegation.

However, they only picked up two batting points and therefore the equation was easy. Win and stay up!

After Freddie Filor was out first ball there were useful contributions made by Charles Fitzroy (25), Neil Bettis (26), Adrian Small (27) and Chris Jelly (20 not out) but centre stage was held by skipper Richard.

Batting throughout the innings he finished on 109 not out. Not only was this the first century for him this season but it was also the highest score made by a batsman in the First Eleven.

There can be no doubting that to produce such a match winning performance in this important game shows the belief and passion that Richard has shown all season.

Winning by six wickets with five overs to spare also meant that Tiverton only finished third in the league as they were overtaken by both Sidmouth and Exeter.

SECOND ELEVEN

The Second Eleven lost to Barnstaple by four runs but as North Devon also lost, it means that they too are to be congratulated on staying in D Division East.

In some ways this could be regarded as a greater achievement as due to availability issues throughout the season it is often the Second Eleven, and in particular captain Shaun Hawkins, who suffer more.

For leading their teams to safety there surely cannot be better joint nominations for players of the season than Richard and Shaun.

Barnstaple totalled 235 for eight with two wickets each for Greg Lewis, Jem Fawsett and Shaun Hawkins.

If a win could not be achieved then making sure of maximum batting points was the priority and Shaun led from the front.

Chris Blake (26), Jim Shepherd (22) and Jason Matten (21) made useful contributions but Shaun top scored with 91 as he took the total past 200 securing enough bonus points to keep ahead of North Devon.

So that is the Devon League fixtures done and dusted. There are still a couple of matches to be played in the North Devon League and when those are completed I will submit a review of that season.

While celebrating the survival of the two Sandford teams commiserations must be sent to Shobrooke Park where both teams were relegated.

I know there is a meeting being called for the players of Sandford to discuss the way forward for cricket in the Club. It would be good to think that this could involve discussing the way forward for cricket in Crediton.

Availability for both clubs seems to be such an issue but I’m sure many would hate to see the demise of either club.

As I have reported before it is fantastic to see so many youngsters, whether having a bias towards Sandford or Shobrooke, playing alongside each other on a Friday evening and the parents enjoying the social side that this evening brings. Could this be the way forward for the adult cricketers in the area?

Mike Canning