SANDFORD Thirds entertained Chudleigh Seconds at Creedy Park last Saturday, and batting first probably soon wished they hadn't, as 23 for four was not the start they expected.

Luckily Andy Fry soon started to put things right. In conjunction with veteran newcomer Mike Wilkinson 15 they took the score to 51, before Wilko departed, but at least some form of recovery was underway.

Making her first appearance of the season, Jemima Vereker 12 then joined Andy, as together they pushed the score up to 108. Her departure brought Colin Blick to the crease, and his 23 (four fours) along with Andy still going well, meant the last and final wicket fell at 164 for seven.

Fry was then partnered for the rest of the innings by skipper Alex Stevens 23no (three fours and a six), and together the score eventually reached 244 for seven when the overs ran out. Having gone into bat in the third over of the game, Andy Fry went on to smack an impressive 139no from only 104 balls, including 22 fours and three sixes.

For the visitors, only R. Ansell 4-20 (eight), who created the early havoc, made any real impact to the Sandford batting order.

Chudleigh's response was stuttered to say the least and by the time they had fallen to 98 for eight the game was more-or-less up for them. They did eventually recover to 143 all out in 38 overs with M. Ball cracking a late 33 (two fours and two sixes).

There were two wickets apiece for Mike Wilkinson 2-17 (eight), Ellie Bishop 2-24 (eight), Jemima Vereker 2-13 (five) and Vice Captain Rob Stoyle 2-20 (three).

Twenty points for the victory saw the Thirds move up the table. Next week they travel to North Molton hoping to keep their good start going, with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten