FOUR weeks in to the Devon League season and all four possibilities have been achieved by the two teams at Sandford Cricket Club.

The first week the Second Eleven won only for the First Eleven to lose, followed by a reverse of this with the First team winning and the Second team losing.

The third week both managed to lose but finally a much happier week to report when both have won.

The First Eleven travelled to Instow and always seemed to have the game in control against their hosts North Devon.

The home side won the toss but found the going very difficult against some very controlled bowling.

Jamie Palmer led from the front with a spell of two for 23 from his 10 overs and was superbly backed up by Chris Simpson who without taking a wicket still only conceded 23 runs.

There were two wickets for Trevor Anning and one apiece for Harrison Jones, Chris Jelley and Pete Steer.

Harrison Jones then led the reply scoring 90 and sharing a fourth wicket partnership of 104 with Neil Bettis (47).

All the other batsmen pitched in and the victory was secured by five wickets with 10 balls to spare.

That’s two wins away from home for the First team so hopefully they will be looking forward to the weekend trip to Bovey Tracey who have had an indifferent start to the season but are always capable of putting on an impressive performance.

The Second Eleven is to be congratulated on breaking the run of losses on a Saturday at Creedy Park although they did make very heavy work to secure victory.

Opting to bat first Budleigh Salterton were reduced to 105 for six but then managed to score another 100 for the last four wickets.

There were three wickets apiece for Shaun Fryett and Ryan Glass with Brian Leach picking up two at the top end of the innings.

Chasing 206 to win, Sandford were in a strong position at drinks, with Ryan Glass and Shaun Hawkins at the wicket and the score on 116 for one.

Three balls later both had gone and panic seemed to set in as a procession of batsmen came in and got out.

Ryan had scored 65 at the start of the innings and there was 21 for Chris Blake and 20 for Shaun Hawkins.

At 184 for nine and Alex Stevens and Shaun Fryett at the crease victory did seem a long way off but some very sensible batting by the two of them secured victory by one wicket and Alex is to be congratulated on his 25 not out.

The Sunday Second Eleven’s match fell foul to the Bank Holiday weather but the First Eleven’s played on the Monday and lost by six wickets to leaders Westleigh.

Ryan Glass continued his run of good form and scored 101 sharing in a second wicket partnership of 151 with Adam Small who scored 78.

Apart from Dan Uren’s 20 there weren’t any other major contributions as Sandford totalled 235 for seven.

This proved to be nothing like enough although Neil Maud helped himself to two wickets.

There is a quick chance for revenge as the two sides meet again next Sunday.

In the next few issues of the “Courier” there will be an article explaining the Club’s strategy going forward with regard to Saturday and Sunday cricket and also an up-date on the Community League which takes place every Tuesday evening.

This weekend the weather forecast looks set fair so the cricket on offer is: Tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, Second Elevens v Clyst St George (possible start 12.30pm). Sunday, June 2, Ladies v Plymouth, start 2pm.

Mike Canning