BEING at the bottom of the pecking order when players in the Firsts, Seconds and Thirds become unavailable, it's quite remarkable that the Sandford Fourth team continue to win with understrength teams.

Last Saturday was another example of how this team seems to get over the line, as they travelled to Filleigh Seconds, who had beaten them quite easily earlier in the season at Creedy Park.

Having asked the hosts to bat first, at 58 for two, skipper Danny Knight must have wondered if he'd made the right decision. B.Kalsi 25 (five fours) was going well, but then Sandford played their trump card. Emily Wilson, who was only asked to play on the morning of the match, came on to bowl, and promptly decimated the Filleigh batting, including the wicket of Kalsi, in a sustained spell of four-32 from five overs which transformed the game.

Filleigh had no reply, and were eventually bowled out for 110 in only 23.3 overs, with young 14-year-old Jimmy Orchard showing what a good prospect he may be in the future with his spinners, claiming two-21 (3.3). With a bowling attack, Emily besides, ranging in age from 14 to 17, the prospect of the Club finding a decent contingent of bowlers going forward, is looking very positive.

Sandford's reply had a few early hiccups along the way to victory, but Samson Brooks 34no (six fours) and veteran Andy Pennington 32 (six fours) ensured victory was achieved at 111 for five in only 20.4 overs for a five wicket win. As a result of this win the Fourths have now moved up to third in H Division East.

Only J. Thakkar with three-33 (7.4) was able to cause any consternation to the Sandford batters.

The Fourths are at home this Saturday on the second pitch at Sandford where they will entertain Barnstaple and Pilton third XI with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten