SANDFORD Cricket Club's Third team suffered their second successive defeat on their Creedy Park second ground pitch, this time losing to Hatherleigh Thirds by a disappointing 46 runs.

The problem for the Thirds is their lack of batting strength at the top of the order if they don't have certain players available.

Against Hatherleigh they had their visitors in trouble early on as Hatherleigh's score slumped to 28 for four, thanks to an outstanding spell of 4-21 in his eight overs from Glyn Baker.

However a middle order stand of 84 saw the visitors eventually reach 169 for nine from their allotted 40 overs with young Max Collins, Glyn's stepson, who he had opened the bowling with, taking 2-23 (six).

I cannot recall a father and son ever forming an opening bowling attack at anytime in Sandford's past history, so this may well have been a club first.

Unfortunately, Sandford Thirds’ nemesis came back to haunt to them again, as they quickly slumped to 39 for six.

In the end, any semblance of respectability was left to youngsters Toby Pennington 26 (two fours), Max Collins 23 (five fours) and Joe Saunders 17 (two fours), as the Thirds were eventually bowled out for 123 in only 24.4 overs.

This result, however disappointing, does still keep them in third position in the G Division Central, alongside near neighbours Shobrooke Park Seconds who they play next week at Shobrooke with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten