SANDFORD 2nds ‘clinched victory from the jaws of defeat’ last Saturday when they somehow managed to beat Exeter 2nds by 8 runs at Creedy Park.

With the game restricted to 32 overs per side, Sandford were asked to bat first and accumulated a respectable 168 for 7 against a useful Exeter attack.

The innings was built around a 5th wicket stand of 76 between skipper Shaun Hawkins 33 (3 fours and a six) and Archie Osborne 62no (8 fours and a six).

Aashay Dube with 4-18 (7) did most of the early damage for Exeter.

In reply, Exeter made steady progress in hunting down their target, and at 153 for 3 it just appeared a formality for them to win. Their innings had been built around Sean Langford 56 (7 fours and a six), Aashay Dube 22 (4 fours) and Sean Baker 26 (5 fours).

However, Baker’s departure on 153 saw four wickets collapse for one run, including Langford as well, and the remaining batters somehow managed to get themselves out, with an eventual all out total of 160 leaving the visitors 8 runs short.

For Sandford 17 year old Ollie Knight 2-23 (6.5), 15 year olds Jonny Handley 2-33 (7) and Will Hopkins 2-27 (5), together with veteran Pete Steer 2-16 (4) created the late order carnage to present the home team with an incredible 18 point victory.

The only downfall to the day was a shoulder injury to skipper Shaun Hawkins whilst he was batting, and then prevented him from fielding. Hopefully he will recover soon.

Next Saturday the 2nds travel to Upottery with a 1pm start.

So after three rounds of matches all four teams have won one, lost one and had one abandoned.

Phil Matten