FOLLOWING the latest round of fixtures in the Sandford Community Cricket 100 competition, Crediton Rugby Club, last year’s champions, and Sandford Football Club have just created a gap between themselves and the other teams in the hope of competing in this year’s final on Sunday, July 24.

The Football Club beat the “newbies” Crediton Milling in their latest game. Having scored 135 in their 100 balls with three retirements from Andy Uren (26), Rob Smith (25) and Ricky Turner (27), plus another 20 from Stevie Lyon, the footie men set up victory with a solid batting display, even despite the Chairman, Adam Voisey, deliberately running out the “Gaffer” Wally Waller, in an attempt to score his first run for four years – he finished on 0 not out by the way – disgraceful goings on.

Connor Champ was the star of the Millermen’s bowling attack with three wickets, including the skipper Nathan “Stato” Keast’s first ball to everyone’s amusement.

In reply the Millermen lost early wickets, but a middle order resurgence saw both Will White (27) and Mike Duran Durand (28) retire after reaching the compulsory retirement score of 25, but alas the rest of the order couldn’t get the required runs and the innings petered out at 115 at the end of their 100 balls, to lose by 20 runs.

Andy Uren with three wickets and Rob “Nuggett” Smith with another two being too good for the batters from the Mill.

Graphics got off the mark in this year’s competition with an easy win over the Sandford Lads and Dads team.

Despite 28 from 14-year-old Ollie Knight and 28 not out from his Dad, Dan Knight their team could only muster 112 from their 100 balls.

This was never going to be enough to defend, especially once Ben Trenaman got going at the top of the order with a quick fire 25 before retiring in only six scoring shots.

His good work was continued by steady batting in the early to mid order, with skipper Andy Hookway cracking 25 before retiring, and then Simon Cartlidge swung the willow for a rapid 19 not out at the end. Graphic reached their target scoring 116 in only 66 balls.

The final game in this round of matches was the long-awaited match between the Three Little Pigs and the Rugby Club – both considered title contenders before the season started.

After notching a good 135 in their 100 balls, the Pigs looked set to win following steady batting throughout their innings, with numerous batters reaching double figures, but all of them surpassed by the brilliance of 15-year-old Jack “I don’t fear anybody” James, their new signing from the Lads and Dads team, who rattled out a quick 25 before retiring.

However, big Sam Fice kept the score in check with a couple of late wickets for not very many.

With the weather closing in, the Rugby Club knew there was a very good chance the game may not go the distance, and skipper John Leyman opened with Ant Evans, and although he quickly departed for 10, Ant strolled his way to 22 not out and together with all-rounder Fice, 12 not out, they took the score to 51 at the end of the sixth over before the rains came, to ensure their side were two runs ahead of the 49 required to give their side another victory.

It was really tough luck on the Pigs as their score would probably have taken some getting, but that’s how the weather can play an important part in the outcome of cricket matches, unfortunately.

So with all teams now having completed three games each, the Rugby Club and Sandford Football Club sit on five points, Sandford Lads and Dads on three, the Pigs and Graphic on two and Crediton Milling on one.

Phil Matten