FOR the past few weeks the pessimistic side of me has been prominent as I've been harping on about injuries, players being unavailable etc. and the effect that has had on not only Sandford Cricket Club's First XI, but also the other three Saturday sides.

My pessimism has been founded by how close the Devon Premier Division has been this year, and the fact that there has been a relatively small points difference between teams in the middle of the division and the bottom.

Well you'll be pleased to know that that pessimism has hopefully now been put to rest, as the Sandford lads demolished previously second-in-the-league Exmouth last Saturday at Creedy Park.

However, it didn't look like that would be the case at the beginning of the match. Exmouth won the toss and elected to bat first and opener Louis Morrison went berserk as he smashed his way to 39 off only 14 balls, which included six fours and two sixes in a remarkable exhibition of hitting.

Knowing that is the way he bats, at least gives some hope, as it's very rare for that type of innings to continue without making a mistake. And that's as it proved.

Having taken Sandford's opening bowler Jackson Thompson for most of his runs, JT had the last laugh as he had him caught off a skier in only his second over. The scoreboard at that time read 40 for one after only 2.5 overs – crazy!

But 40 for one soon became 89 for six, as a number of Exmouth's usually strong middle order batters quickly came, and surprisingly departed, without causing too many issues.

JT nabbed a couple of those wickets, along with fellow opening bowler Jamie Palmer who bowled a superbly economical spell by also grabbing a couple. Not bad for a combined age of 82!

A seventh wicket partnership of 39 between Fin Marks 37no (five fours) and Pete Turnbull 30 (two fours and a six) made the score look a little more respectable, but after Turnbull's departure the innings quickly folded as Exmouth were bowled out for only 158 in 32.2 overs.

JT redeemed himself, following the early onslaught, by finishing with most wickets among the Sandford bowlers, with four-57 (6.2), along with Jamie Palmer two-12 (eight) and all-rounder Harrison Jones three-53 (10) also weighed-in to dismiss the lower middle order.

So with a modestly low total to get, Sandford's innings did not get off to the best start. A couple of early wickets set them back at 12 for two. However, Jackson along with Harry Southgate, making his return after a three week absence for an unforgettable holiday in Costa Rica, added 58 for the third wicket.

Seventy for three was a sound base, but when skipper Adam Small departed soon after it was left to JT to guide the rest of the innings towards victory. He found an able ally in Harrison Jones and they took the score to 140 before JT holed out for a very patient 61 (eight fours and a six) from 80 balls, something he is not necessarily renowned for.

However, Harrison stayed calm and guided Sandford to victory at 159 for six after 37.3 overs, as he remained unbeaten on 50no (nine fours).

Pete Turnbull with three-17 (10) was Exmouth's most successful bowler, but the 20 points gained by Sandford pleasingly moved them up to second in the Premier Division table, and dispelled any fears of relegation once and for all.

Ironically, this coming Saturday the Firsts have to travel to top-of-the-table Paignton, 12.30pm start, who although are currently 29 points clear, another victory for the Kingfishers could set up an interesting end-of-season run-in.

Phil Matten