SANDFORD Cricket Club’s 1st XI suffered their worst ever defeat in the Devon Premier Division last Saturday at Cornwood, losing by 218 runs.

In a game restricted to 30 overs a side due to early rain, Cornwood were asked to bat first, and despite losing a couple of early wickets, the Cornwood Overseas Mohsin Khan then went ballistic in scoring 203no from only 93 balls, including 15 fours and 17 sixes in a masterclass exhibition of powerful hitting.

Together with opener Ryan Rickard 76 (9 fours and a six), they put on 274 runs for the 3rd wicket before Rickard was eventually out.

The Sandford bowlers were given a tough time to say the least, with only Matt Jeacock 2-46 (6) coming away with any credit.

In reply Sandford’s inning never really got going, and they were eventually bowled out for 94 in 23.5 overs with Joe Hopkins 28 (2 fours and a six) the only batter showing any form of resistance.

This Saturday the 1sts take on League champions Bradninch and Kentisbeare at Creedy Park with a 12.30pm start.

SANDFORD 3RDS RECORD FIRST VICTORY

Sandford 3rds travelled to Stover School last Saturday for an F Division Central match against Ipplepen 3rds, and came away with a good 20 points 4 wicket victory.

Ipplepen were asked to bat first and although A.Heale 29 and A.Maynard 33 held the early/middle order together, the home side never really got going, and were finally bowled out for 146 in their 40 overs.

Steady bowling by 16 year old James Morgan 2-18 (8), Veteran newcomer Mike Wilkinson 3-23 (8), Vice Captain Rob Stoyle 2-31 (8) and Colin Blick 3-33 (8) kept the home side in check.

Sandford, in reply, made life difficult for themselves initially, losing three wickets in reaching 43, but at this stage Rob Stoyle took charge to claim his ‘Man of the Match’ award as he helped see his side home with a not out score of 71 including 9 fours, eventually reaching 148 for 6 in 36.5 overs to claim a welcomed 20 points victory.

Only H.Courtice 2-34 (8) showed any sign of stopping the boys from reaching their target.

This Saturday the 3rds are at home to Chudleigh 2nds with a 1pm start.

The 4ths lost their first game of the season at Creedy Park, when they were defeated by Filleigh 2nds by 6 wickets.

Sandford batted first with 15 year old youngsters Will Matten 44 (8 fours) and Samson Brooks 36 (7 fours) being the linchpins in the Sandford total of 162 all out in 31.1 overs, in a rain restricted 32 over game.

Darshan Patel 2-29 (7), Kevin Toze 3-35 (7), Jay Thakkar 2-28 (4) and Tarun Parmar 2-8 (5) were the main wicket takers for the visitors.

Filleigh’s initial reply was built around an excellent knock from youngster Nik Ollis 59 (11 fours). However supporting knocks of 23 by skipper Tarun Parmar (2 fours and a six) and eventually Darshan Patel 47no (7 fours and a six), saw the visitors claim victory in 29.5 overs.

Unfortunately the mixture of young and veteran Sandford bowlers couldn’t make enough breakthroughs to trouble the visitors cantering to victory.

Next Saturday the 4ths travel to Barnstaple and Pilton 3rds at West Buckland School for a 1pm start.

Phil Matten