SANDFORD Cricket Club’s First XIs run of poor results continued last Saturday when they lost at home to Cornwood by 6 wickets to now drop to one place above the relegation zone in the Devon Premier Division, with two games left – against Sidmouth who are now two points in front of them, and North Devon who are still 35 points behind them, and effectively already relegated.

Their glimmer of hope is that they are still 9 points ahead of Heathcoat in the other relegation position, but it is essential they gain a win from at least one of their last two games.

Sandford won the toss and elected to bat. Another poor start with the top three only getting 9 runs between them was not what they wanted, and from 24 for 3 it was left to Aryan Lakra 68 (8 fours 1 six) and Adam Small 76 (8 fours 1 six) to dig them out of trouble.

They pushed the score to 152, but only Tom Maidment batting at number 9 made any other worthwhile contribution with 42 (3 fours 2 sixes) as he guided the home team to 253 for 9 after their 50 overs.

In the circumstances a reasonable score considering the poor start.

With Cornwood slipping to 74 for 3 hopes were raised that an important win could be on the cards. Alas it was not to be, as Matt Skeemer 99no (13 fours 1 six) and Cornwood skipper Elliot Staddon 70no (10 fours) saw their side to an impressive victory without any further losses at 258 for 4 after 48 overs.

And so next week’s game against Sidmouth at Creedy Park becomes an even more important game with a 12.30pm start.

This match will be played out in front of many of the Club’s sponsors when the Club welcomes them for the annual Sponsors Day lunch and tea.

Phil Matten