AS I umpire the Second XI I have seen how they have underperformed in the previous two weeks and managed to lose two games from winning positions which would have seen them strolling this mini-league.

However, it is important to give praise where it is due and this past Saturday the team came together and put in a strong performance with both the bat and the ball.

Maybe the catching could have been better, but this had caused Exeter an issue all afternoon as well.

Shaun Hawkins was promoted to the First XI at the last minute and so it became Steerie’s Second XI.

Pete called wrong, lost the toss and was asked to bat first by the Exeter skipper.

The Second XI welcomed back Chris Blake who took no time in making everyone aware that the last two week’s defeats were due to the fact that he hadn’t been there to open the innings! He and Ollie Squire strolled out to start the match and then Ollie was joined in the middle second ball by Tom Williams!

To be fair to Chris the ball did rear up very quickly on him and was very difficult to play but it did shut him up for 20 minutes or so!

Tom Gidney continued his fine form and top scored with 43. He was well supported by Adam Creasey 41 and Tom Williams 33 but many others chipped in with useful runs as Sandford posted a total of 200 for seven.

Exeter were never up with the run rate as some very accurate bowling kept the chase well under control. Skipper Pete Steer finished up with four for 23 and Neil Maud polished up the tail and took three for 24 also leaving himself on a hat-trick first ball of next weekend!

As this year the league is worked out on average points per game the situation couldn’t be tighter. Exeter 14.00, Sandford 13.75, Clyst St George 12.80, Exmouth 12.00. This weekend Sandford need to beat Exmouth and hope that the other fixture being played in the group turns out in their favour.

Theed’s Thirds had a great win against Exwick Second XI and will finish second in their four-team mini league which is a great start for this young team.

Exwick were restricted to 138 for seven in their 35 overs with Anna Squire taking two for six and Simon Saunders two for 13.

This total proved easily within Sandford’s ability as they got home by eight wickets.

James Theedom scored his maiden 50 in adult cricket and finished undefeated on 71.

I am sure this is the first of many as James grows in confidence. He was well supported by Ellie Bishop who was 42 not out as the winning total was reached.

The last fixture for this team is against undefeated Cheriton Fitzpaine and the fixture will be played at Newton St Cyres. There is no chance of topping the group but it has been a great experience for many of the club’s youngsters to play the longer form of the game and should hopefully put them in great shape to take on the challenge of a full season in 2021.

I’m afraid the wheels came off for Foanie’s First XI in their return fixture to Tiverton Heathcoat played at Creedy Park.

Whether there was little in the wicket for the bowlers, or some poor shot decisions, unfortunately Sandford did not cope very well with the conditions.

Put into bat, only skipper Richard Foan 44 and Ryan Glass 21, made any sort of contribution with the bat as the home team were dismissed for 128 at the end of the 37th over.

It could have been much worse if Jamie Palmer had not joined his skipper in adding 35 for the ninth wicket. The Heathcoat skipper Pete Randerson was in no mood to stick around too long and plundered 68 from only 81 balls as the visitors romped home by nine wickets with over 16 overs of the innings still remaining.

Foanie’s Firsts finish up with a visit to Hatherleigh this weekend knowing they could finish second with a win but a possibility of fourth if they lose.

On Sunday Theed’s arranged a friendly for many of his Under 13 cricketers against Hatherleigh. Unfortunately, Hatherleigh didn’t seem to understand the meaning of “there will be nine under 13’s playing” as they arrived with five players with experience of First XI cricket! Needless to say this was just no contest as Hatherleigh amassed 290 in 40 overs and then bowled Sandford out for 78.

The lads are to be congratulated on sticking to their task in the field and to never let their heads drop even though it was a matter of retrieving the ball from all parts of the ground for most of the afternoon.

Shaun Hawkins is also to be congratulated on keeping the boys as focussed as they could during the longer than normal 40 overs in the field.

Fixtures for the final league games:

First XI - Hatherleigh (away) - 12.30pm; Second XI - Exmouth Second XI (Creedy Park) - 1pm; Third XI - Cheriton Fitzpaine (Newton St Cyres) - 1pm.

Michael Canning