WITH the Devon Cricket League now truly underway, Sandford's three teams created Club history last Saturday. Not only did all three teams win, but it was the size of their victories coupled together with four centurions, a “Fivefer”, and one player taking his 500th wicket for the Club.

Combined Sandford scored 920 runs, and managed to bowl their oppositions out for 510 runs, and in doing so gain a maximum 60 points from their 3 games. 1sts 313-6 against 227-10, 2nds 291-3 against 167-10, and 3rds 316-3 against 116-10.

The four centurions were 1st XI Player of the Year last year Lawrence Walker with 105 (108 balls, four sixes, seven fours) against Plymouth in the Premier Division, followed by 91 by Harrison Jones as well in the same match.

In the Seconds Tom Gidney took a liking to the Exeter Seconds bowling in cracking 117 (87 balls, five sixes, 12 fours in his knock, and in the 3rds veteran Jon James smacked his way to 130 (77 balls, five sixes, 17 fours) whilst also guiding his opening partner 14 year old Jonny Handley to 121 (126 balls, one six and 12 fours) for his first ever 50 in senior cricket, let alone century. Together they added 231 runs for the first wicket against Exwick 2nds.

On the bowling front Overseas star Aryan Lakra claimed five Plymouth wickets for a very economical 26 runs in his allotted 10 overs.

Finally Club legend Brian Leach claimed his 500th wicket for the Club during his spell of 3-37 for the 3rds in their emphatic victory. Well done Leachy, but his most remembered analysis were in one match in the N Devon League many years ago against Filleigh when he bowled nine overs, eight Maidens, one Run and 0 Wickets.

The 1st XI started their 2025 Devon Premier League campaign a couple of weeks ago with a home game against local rivals Exeter.

Hoping to get off the mark early with a win at Creedy Park, they allowed Exeter to accumulate 267-9 from their 50 overs. Exeter's score was based around sound knocks of 72 from Same Read and 69 from Charles Clist.

Veteran Jamie Palmer did his best to keep things under control with three for 48 from his 10 overs, backed up by skipper Jackson Thompson 2-48 (10) and young Ben Handley 2-46 (8).

However, although the total should have been within the capabilities of the Sandford batters overhauling it, the loss of five early wickets for 85 runs didn't help Sandford's cause, and although Harrison Jones 53 (six fours) and Ben Handley 35 (one six and one four) tried to get things moving, too many dot balls left the lower order with too much to do.

Skipper Jackson Thompson weighed in with a lusty 37 from only 19 balls (four sixes, two fours). However, the task proved too great, and Sandford were eventually bowled out for 210 in 48.3 overs to lose by 57 runs, and in doing so only claimed eight points from the game.

Last weekend however, saw their fortunes change with a visit to Plymouth. Again despite losing four early wickets, Lawrence Walker and Harrison Jones steadied the boat, and together added 149 for the 5th wicket before Lozzer departed for 105 (108 balls, four sixes seven fours).

Harrison carried on to eventually be dismissed for 91 (96 balls two sixes nine fours). It was then left to 18 year old youngster James Theedom to finish the innings off by cracking 36 no (28 balls three fours and two sixes) including 20 off the last over of the innings, as Sandford eventually reached 313 for six off of their 50 overs.

Plymouth's early order kept their team interested in pursuing this big total, that was until Sandford's overseas star Aryan Lakra got to work on the middle/lower order with 5-26 (10 overs). James Theedom also grabbed an important two wickets in one over to put the Plymouth batters under pressure. The home team were eventually dismissed for 227 in 42.4 overs with only Teddy Haffendedn proving defiant with 65 no.

A 20 point win saw Sandford up-and-running and move into the top half of the table, before meeting last year's champions Bradninch at Creedy Park this Saturday 12.30pm start.

Phil Matten