IN this weird year of 2020 where all that was normal in life seems to have been just tossed aside, I find myself still writing cricket reports during the month of September.

Not only that but after many seasons where captains have maybe struggled to field three teams over the weekend there is such enthusiasm amongst the players that currently there seems little problem in fielding four sides each weekend without the need to ask too many to play twice and still finding that many more could have played if available.

This is a positive that will hopefully continue into 2021 when the season is much longer and will thus afford the Captains the luxury of knowing that they are able to pick players, based on performances, on a consistent basis.

This past weekend saw the first of the play off matches for the three Saturday sides.

Foanie’s Firsts had a home fixture against Paignton and made the most of the conditions when batting first.

An opening partnership of more than 100 between Ryan Glass (62) and Sandy Allen (60) set the tone for the innings. Ryan scored at more than a run a ball as he plundered three sixes and seven fours.

Sandy scored nine fours and was joined in the fun by Harrison Jones who scored a run a ball 54 including one six and five fours.

Adam Small scored 24 and skipper Richard Foan scored 19 and despite a late collapse which saw five quick wickets fall as the swing was on, Sandford posted a very impressive total of 238 for eight.

Paignton were never really in it as Jamie Palmer opened up and bowled his nine overs, returning figures of one for 13. There were three wickets apiece for Shaun Fryett and Tudor Morgan-Huggett and two for Harry Everett.

There was even a rare wicket for Sandy Allen who came on towards the end of the game and mopped up the tail!

The skipper used eight bowlers again this week resting himself and Trevor Anning but did allow Ryan Glass the chance to turn his arm! The First XI will now play Cornwood First XI tomorrow (Saturday) and it is hoped that the fixture will be played at Creedy Park.

SECOND XI

Shaun’s Second XI made the quite long trip to Upottery to play their First XI. Shaun elected to bat and there was another good start to the innings as Tom Gidney continued his fine form.

He top scored with 51 but when he was out with the score on 79 this produced a mini collapse from which the side never really recovered.

Ben Clement hit 37, Ollie Squire 27, Archie Osborne 19 and Aidan Davies 17. The other six batsmen only scored nine between them as Sandford were bowled out for 177 with five of their overs still available!

I suspect Shaun realised this would be a difficult total to defend and therefore made sure that everyone had a chance to bowl with eight of the side given the opportunity.

Only Pete Steer, Greg Lewis and Liam Gardner were able to take a wicket as the home side strode to victory by seven wickets and with nearly 10 overs to spare.

Shaun’s side should have been playing the losing team from the other side of the draw but Braunton did not hold their fixture last weekend and it is very likely that this loss may turn out to be the final game of the season.

In a short time there has been plenty of positives to build on next season but as I have said before there will be the need to chase every bonus point available even when all seems a lost cause.

THEED’S THIRDS

Theed’s Thirds played Chagford Second XI last Sunday.

On arrival at the ground the heavens opened and there was a deluge which looked as though cricket could be difficult. Once stopped the sun came out, the wind blew, the ground was mopped up and the match was able to start about an hour late.

Matt assembles a side that has a little bit of experience but for the most part are young cricketers looking to improve their game.

Three ladies and four under the age of 15 were joined by Matt, Pete Whitby, Alex Stevens and Chris Jelley playing his first, and possibly only, game of the season.

If this team was all about winning then Matt would bowl and bat much higher up the order but the emphasis is more on giving the youngsters the knowledge of game management and the importance of them learning how to find ways of playing the game to the best of their ability.

Until some are somewhat stronger this will mean defeats in the short-term but that is all part of the learning process. Chagford were asked to bat and Matt gave seven a chance to bowl with Anna Squire returning the best figures of three for 20.

Chris Jelley was unplayable as he took two for four and there was a wicket apiece for Finn Warren, Alex Stevens and Ellie Bishop.

Even Jack James came on and finished with two wickets as Chagford were bowled out for 135. Ellie then top scored with 31 but on a very slow pitch all the batsmen struggled to beat the infield and the rate of runs required kept increasing as scoring became more and more difficult. Matt came in with a couple of overs left and struck some mighty blows but Chagford ended up victorious by 20 runs.

FOURTH XI

The Fourth XI played Exeter last Sunday and were once again a mixture of youth and experience.

Shaun Hawkins got over the disappointment of the day before and plundered 64 at the top of the innings. The most pleasing contribution came from Jem Fawsett who was unbeaten on 51.

Skipper for the day, Harry Everett, also scored 43 as Sandford posted 226 for six in their 35 overs. Once again eight bowlers were used and there were two wickets apiece for Matt Comin, Archie Osborne, Jack Perry and Jem Fawsett as Sandford got home by 41 runs.

This may be my last report or there could still be cricket for a couple of weeks more.

The First XI will hopefully be at home to Cornwood tomorrow (Saturday) and there should be a friendly fixture at home on Sunday.

All at the club wish Dave Harris, a committee member, a speedy recovery after his recent accident.

If this is the last report of the season then let’s hope that by next April a little more normality will have returned to our lives and that the use of the Bill Matten pavilion is available for all and maybe even that glorious tradition of a cricket tea is allowed once more!

Mike Canning