AS I have mentioned before, the number of injuries, let alone unavailable players for whatever reason, have had a real knock-on effect with the second XI.

Last Saturday they had at least 10 players, who would have been considered second XI players at the beginning of the season, unavailable for them to choose from, due to five players having to step up into the first team, three unavailable for various reasons and two injured.

As such skipper Shaun Hawkins has done well to keep the Seconds going, and with an important win the week before last, last Saturday saw a return to reality, as Upottery, who were previously below in their division, came to Creedy Park looking to dispel any relegation thoughts of their own.

An opening partnership of 57 for the visitors was not what the home side were looking for, but in the context of the game, that was quite acceptable. For what was to come was a barrage of runs from Upottery opened Matt Broom and their overseas player Connor McCoy.

Together they added 203 runs in under 23 overs, before McCoy was eventually out for a whirlwind 105 off of only 69 balls, which included 10 fours and five sixes.

Broom continued to sweep the Sandford bowling aside, as he toiled away for an impressive 141no from 134 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes. The final ignominy for the Sandford bowlers came when Adam Pulman coming in towards the end of the innings, quickly smashed 38no from only 18 balls, including four fours and two sixes. He and Broom added 59 runs in the final five overs to see their side through to 342 for three in their allotted 45 overs.

We won't mention the Sandford bowling, except to say Brian Leach, Jack James and Tyler Morgan-Huggett each took one wicket.

With all due respect to the Sandford batters, chasing that total was never likely to be an option, unless one or two of their batters came to the party, so the best they could possibly hope for was to pick up maximum batting points.

However, despite losing a couple of early wickets, veteran opener Jon James 32 (six fours) and Andy Fry 60 (11 fours and a six). Did their best to at least keep some interest going whilst they were together. They added 65 for the third wicket before the dreaded drinks break raised its ugly head for JJ, as he departed at 87 for three.

When Andy Fry departed at 114 a couple more wickets fell quickly and soon 123 for six looked desperate for the home team.

Step up Tyler Morgan-Huggett and Matt Uren, who together added an improbable 86 runs for the seventh wicket, before Matt departed for a very useful 21 (three fours), shortly followed by Tyler with an impressive 57 (12 fours), reminding everyone what he is capable of when he plays regularly.

Maximum batting points were achieved when Jack James 32no (seven fours) batted like we know he can, in conjunction with veteran Brian Leach 11no (two fours) turning back the years with some well-timed shots, although not too much running, as the Sandford innings meandered to a finish at 260 for eight from their 45 overs. In the circumstances probably as good as they could have wished.

For Upottery Andy Pulman three-48 (nine), Connor McCoy two-43 (nine) were the main visitor's wicket-takers.

This Saturday the Seconds are away to bottom of the league side Exmouth Seconds with a 1pm start, hoping for a win to secure their C Division East status, even though they currently have a 35 point cushion.

The Seconds will be hoping availability should be a little better, with the three players unavailable this week returning, and a couple of first-teamers hopefully making a welcomed return, which should release a couple more as they step back down.

Phil Matten