LAST weekend was bit of a disaster for Sandford Cricket Club, with all four teams losing.

The Firsts travelled to Hatherleigh, who were below them in the Premier Division, but unfortunately they returned with a two-wicket loss.

Batting first, Sandford made a steady start with an opening partnership 66 between Joe Hopkins 29 (two fours) and Jackson Thompson 31 (two fours and a six). However, when JT was out they had taken up 21.5 overs, which indicated perhaps a slow tricky wicket.

It was left to Harry Southgate 34 (three fours and a six) and skipper Adam Small 39 (four fours and a six) to try and get the scoreboard ticking. When Smally was out at 171 for seven, the lower order unfortunately faded away and the team were bowled out for 186 in 49.2 overs.

Emmerson Wood four-50 (10), Mark Lake two-20 (10) and Charlie Presswell two-26 (5.2) were the main reasons the Sandford batters couldn't progress as quickly as they would have liked.

Hatherleigh themselves had their own issues in trying to reach their victory target, but appeared to be cruising at 169 for five. This was when Gareth Tidball was dismissed for a very patient 55 (six fours) from 99 balls, and the game changed.

Overseas Sheyansh Ghosh 27 (two fours) and Emmerson Wood 36 (one four and two sixes) had earlier helped Tidball get their side in an apparent winning position.

But 169 for five soon became 175 for eight and the collywobbles appeared to be setting in, before Jasper Presswell and Paul Heard saw their side home with one over remaining – much closer than they had earlier anticipated.

Jamie Palmer two-17 (seven) took a couple of early wickets for Sandford, and his fellow opener Matt Jeacock two-38 (10) also weighed in to help the late collapse during his second spell, but the main instigator of the panic was Praison Alias who finished with two-17 (eight).

However it was not to be, and whilst 15 wides and three no-balls didn't help, Hatherleigh finished on 189 for eight in 49 overs to claim an important two-wicket victory.

This coming Saturday is another important fixture, as Sandford travel to bottom of the table Sidmouth with a 12.30pm start.

Phil Matten