LAST Sunday saw a Sandford XI take on Paignton in the second round of the National Cup.

With a number of first XI players unavailable due to county calls or not being available, a mixed Sandford side batted first in a rain-restricted match reduced down to 30 overs.

Sandford accumulated 199 for 7 in their allotted 30 overs, with new boy Ryan Hunter top scoring with 78 (12 fours). Aryan Lakra managed an 18 ball 31 (3 fours 2 sixes) and skipper Byron Knowles smacked 39 at the end (3 fours 3 sixes), to give the Sandford score an element of respectability.

However led by skipper Luke Medlock who smashed 98 (16 fours), Brenton Pedley 25 and overseas Ayabulela Gqamana 33 (3 fours 3 sixes), Paignton strolled to victory in 25.5 overs with only Aryan Lakra offering any real defiance to the Paignton batters as he claimed 2-29 (6).

Best of luck to Paignton in the next round as they have to travel to Cornwall's Premier team Penzance.

Phil Matten