AFTER being more than 30 points behind Hatherleigh in the league two weeks ago Sandford Cricket Club’s First Eleven have cut this lead to just seven points to set up a nail-biting finish to see who will be crowned as champions.

Sandford took full advantage of Hatherleigh’s loss the previous weekend and then a rained off game at Brixham to secure maximum points against Lewdown.

There is a protest being lodged by Hatherleigh so this position might not stay but for the time being Sandford can approach the latter stages of the season with confidence.

In truth Lewdown are a poor side and Sandford, missing five regulars, won at a canter.

Lewdown asked Sandford to bat and once again Richard Foan (75) and Paddy Rowe (66) led the way as Sandford reached a total of 223 for eight.

At 41 for nine it was game over but the last two Lewdown batsmen helped the final total reach 87.

Pete Steer continued his fine form taking five wickets for 24 runs and Brian Leach weighed in with two wickets. Pete has taken an incredible 32 wickets at an average of 11.78 with an economy rate of 3.15 and is in the form of his life.

Since losing at Plympton, Sandford have now won five games in a row and have a massive lead of 45 points over Cornwood in third place.

SECOND ELEVEN

The Second Eleven were not so lucky with the weather and although they had scored 108 for five when the rains came, and collected eight points, they dropped to third in the league as Tiverton Heathcote managed a full game.

Things are much tighter in this league with 22 points separating second place from seventh place. As Sandford have played the top team and the bottom two all could change before the end of the season.

In the North Devon League the First Eleven are likely to finish second even though there are six games still to play.

The points system is different from the Devon League and having lost to Hatherleigh it is unlikely that Sandford will be able to overtake the current leaders.

Against Bratton Fleming there were 50’s for Ryan Glass and Tom Williams and Tom Gidney took three wickets.

The Second Eleven lie third in their league. Ben Clement produced a match winning performance against Victoria Park.

Having taken three wickets in the visitors’ innings Ben then followed this up with 63 runs as Sandford won by two wickets.

That’s two great games between these two sides as at Bideford earlier in the season the home team won on the last ball of the game and this time Sandford sneaked home with three balls to spare!

This weekend sees the First Eleven entertain Chudleigh at Creedy Park on Saturday and then on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday it is the club’s honour to host the full Devon Eleven against Shropshire.

Mike Canning