ON Saturday, June 1, following their superb victory against North Devon the previous week Sandford Cricket Club’s First Eleven travelled to Bovey Tracey with high hopes of consecutive successes but it was just not meant to be.

Bovey won the toss and chose to bat and were restricted to a reasonable 234 for seven in which there were three wickets for Trevor Anning and two apiece for Jamie Palmer and Chris Simpson.

The batting unit doesn’t seem to have gelled so far and there have been quite a few run outs so unfortunately Sandford came up 77 runs short on the chase.

Richard Foan top scored with 45 but only Adrian Small (32 not out) and Neil Bettis (26) managed to get into double figures.

The Second Eleven had a similar fate to the First Eleven when they lost by 79 runs to Clyst St George. Choosing to field first there was some lusty late order batting which allowed the visitors to total 245.

Neil Maud took four for 18 and Shaun Fryett and Greg Lewis both had two wickets each but this seemed to be a challenging target to chase down.

Adam Small batted very sensibly to score 59 and Ryan Glass, until controversially given out, had scored 35.

Unfortunately Brian Leach, with 34, was the only other batsman to get above 10 as Sandford limped to 166 for nine at the finish.

JUNE 8

Following the disappointment of two defeats the previous week both teams produced incredible displays to prove that this season is going to be decided by those clubs who can maintain some kind of consistency.

The First Eleven again lost the toss and was invited to bat by Plymouth on a damp and green looking wicket. Conditions were very difficult for batting early on and therefore occupation of the crease was paramount.

Neil Bettiss made a superb knock of 52 and he was well-supported by Trevor Anning (43) and a very valuable 28 not out from Pete Steer.

Plymouth were absolutely cruising to victory at 95 for one but then Chris Simpson (three for 23) and Chris Jelley (three for 19) bowled superbly for a combined spell of 19 overs six for 42.

The last nine Plymouth batsmen fell for only 51 runs and Sandford claimed victory by 45 runs and now sit sixth in the league table.

The Second Eleven travelled for the first time to Honiton and would probably have been disappointed to lose the toss and find their hosts choosing to bat.

A good performance was imperative as the side had been deducted five points by the league for playing an unregistered player in an earlier game and had slipped into the relegation places.

Two hours later they were on their way back to watch the First Eleven. An inspired spell of bowling from Brian Leach (four for 15) and Neil Maud (four for 22) saw the home side dismissed for only 49 after 20 overs.

Ryan Glass then scored 31 not out as Sandford cruised to victory within 10 overs and in taking the full 20 points went above both Honiton and Clyst Hydon in the league table.

SUNDAY CRICKET

On Sunday, June 2 the First Eleven forfeited their fixture against Westleigh as it proved impossible to raise a side.

On Sunday, June 9 the quarter-final of the ServiceMaster Clean Devon Cup 20/20 fixture was played against Cornwood.

Batting first Sandford scored a really impressive 202 for seven with skipper Richard Foan scoring 59, Trevor Anning (42) and Ryan Glass (22).

This however turned out to be not enough as the visitors won by eight wickets with three balls to spare and move on to Finals Day.

The Second Eleven travelled to Westward Ho! to play Bideford. In a game reduced to 20 overs the home side rattled up 178 for three to which Sandford could only muster 98 for eight in reply.

In next week’s issue of the “Courier” there will be an article by Chris Theedom, on behalf of the committee, explaining the Club’s strategy going forward with regard to Saturday and Sunday cricket.

Fixtures for this weekend are: Saturday, June 15, First Eleven v Tiverton Heathcoat First Eleven, 12.30pm start. Sunday, June 16, First Eleven v Hatherleigh First Eleven, 1.30pm start.

Mike Canning