SANDFORD Cricket Club 3rds played their first full game in F Division Central, following promotion last year, and were given a stern test against Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! 2nds on the second pitch at Creedy Park.

Bideford were asked to bat first, and accumulated 207 for 7 in their 40 overs led by James Ford 60 (10 fours) and J.Weeks 51 (7 fours), with Sandford’s veteran bowler Brian Leach 3-43 (8) and Rob Stoyle 3-36 (8) being the most successful bowlers in keeping the visitor’s total in check.

In reply a steady loss of wickets meant the home team were always up against it, and only Rob Stoyle 39 (6 fours), Will Street 30 (6 fours) and Steve Lyons 22no (2 fours) were the only home batters to cause any irritation to the visitors. An eventual total of 161 all out in 37.4 overs saw Bideford leave Creedy Park with a 48 run victory.

The 3rds only consolation was the 7 points they gained despite losing.

This Saturday the 3rds travel to Stover School to play Ipplepen 3rds with a 1pm start.

Big news for the weekend was for the 4th team who travelled to Plymtree to face Cullompton 4ths, and returned triumphant with a convincing 6 wicket victory.

Having been put in to bat, the home team were skittled out for 78 in only 27.4 overs with James Morgan 3-12 (4), Samson Brooks 3-20 (6.4) Tom Harding 2-28 (8) and Oliver Harding 2-12 (5) being the Sandford wicket takers – all of whom are 17 or under youth team players.

In reply, after falling to 39 for 4 on the chase, it was left to Samson Brooks 20no (3 fours) and James Morgan 18no (1 four) to guide their team to a first ever 4th XI victory with an unbroken 5th wicket stand of 40, as the Sandford team finished off proceedings at 79 for 4 in only 14.4 overs, and a welcomed 19 points.

This Saturday the 4ths are home to Filleigh 2nds on the second pitch at Creedy Park with a 1pm start.

SUNDAY XI SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT

Following on from last Sunday week’s heroics in their quest to chase down 316 in the N.Devon League, and claim victory by an amazing 9 wickets, unfortunately a much changed and inexperienced side suffered a 206 run loss at Hatherleigh last Sunday.

Hatherleigh batted first and smashed their way to 354 for 6 in their 40 overs. Their total was led by opener Emmerson Wood cracking 120 in only 60 balls (8 fours, 11 sixes).

Only 15 year old Will Hopkins came out of the carnage with any decent bowling figures, as he finished with 3-34 from his 8 economical overs. He really is going to be a start of the future!

In reply Sandford were bowled out for only 148 in 27 overs with Ben Challoner 38 (8 fours) and skipper Jon James 31 (6 fours) offering any real resistance to the Hatherleigh bowling.

Oscar Barker 3-19 (5), William Edwards 2-47 (8) and Greg Solkin 2-4 (1) did most of the damage for the home team.

There is no N.Devon League game this coming Sunday, as there is a 2nd XI T20 match against Upottery at Creedy Park with a 2pm start.

Phil Matten