SANDFORD Cricket Club’s Second team bandwagon keeps rolling on following last Saturday’s amazing victory over second placed Seaton at Creedy Park by six runs.

In an amazing game that saw more swings than you can get in an average playground, Sandford proved victorious thanks to an amazing end to the game.

Sandford had started the game well, with openers Jon James 38 (4 fours) and Ciaran Gray (7 fours and a six) adding 88 for the first wicket.

Tom Gidney then kept the scoreboard ticking as he plundered 38 from only 27 balls (6 fours and a six) before running himself out the first ball after drinks.

It was 134 for 3 when Tom departed, it led to a procession of wickets which eventually saw the home side being bowled out for 202 in the last of the rain reduced 40 overs.

Only Ryan Glass with 33 (2 fours and a six) offered any positive resistance as wickets fell around him.

In reply, Seaton seemed to be in complete control as the first wicket pairing of veteran Matt Hewer 42 and Tristan Wakeley 83, appeared to be setting a solid foundation for Seaton to go on to win the match with a first wicket stand of 97.

But cricket is a funny game, and like Sandford, Seaton’s batting seemed to disintegrate.

The penultimate over of the game saw Seaton requiring 20 runs to win from two overs.

Not a formality in any circumstances, especially with Byron Knowles due to bowl. Unfortunately, he bowled a no ball first ball, which was duly dispatched for 4, followed by a wide a few balls later. A further 6 runs came from the other legitimate balls, leaving Seaton on 195 for 5 and requiring only 8 runs to win from 7 balls with 5 wickets in hand. The game appeared to be over.

However off the last ball of his over, Byron picked up a wicket with Tom Gidney pouching an important catch at mid off. But with opener Wakeley still at the crease, and more importantly, due to face the first ball of the last over, the odds were not in Sandford’s favour.

Enter Ryan Glass to create Sandford history.

Wakeley had a rush of blood and was stumped by Archie Osborne off the first ball to end a fine innings. The next batter was LBW first ball. They then scored a single leaving 7 off 3 to win.

Archie claimed another stumping 4th ball, and Glassy took a simple return catch off the 5th ball to claim a 6 run victory. Amazingly 5 wickets had fallen in 6 balls. Crazy!

Glassy finished with 6-25 (7.5) to taking the honours, but it was actually Ellie Bishop 2-38 (7) who claimed the first two wickets to cause the gradual decline of the Seaton innings.

This result leaves Sandford still in 3rd place in C Division East, but still 26 points off leaders Heathcoat 2nds. This Saturday sees them travel to Exeter Seconds at the County Ground with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten