FOURTH team skipper Jason Matten scored his first ever ton last Saturday when he guided his Fourths to a highly improbable five-wicket victory away to Newton Tracey Seconds.

Newton Tracey batted first and after scoring 207 for eight in their 40 overs, with good knocks of 54 from Chris Symons (10 fours) and 31 from Bhaveshkumare Patel 31 (three fours) along with a number of double figures scores from some of their other batters, their hopes would have been high for a victory.

In fairness, Sandford would probably not have expected to have chased down such a high score, especially with the side they had, which included six players who weren't even old enough to legally drink, with a couple only being 14 years old.

For Sandford bowlers Dan Harding 2-34 (7.2) Jason Matten 2-20 (7) and youngster Jimmy Orchard 2-38 (8) did most of the damage.

When it was Sandford's turn to bat, 55 for five was not the start they wanted in chasing down a very respectable score.

With skipper Jason Matten having already entered the fray with the score on 14 for three, he was then joined by another veteran Andy Pennington after the fall of the fifth wicket as stated previously.

Together they played themselves in, and soon started to dominate the bowling. Once that happened the runs came quickly and by the 33rd over they had knocked off the required runs with an undefeated sixth wicket stand of 155.

Jason finished on 106no (18 fours and a six) for his first ever century (for anyone, let alone Sandford — proud dad moment!), and Andy Pennington scored his first-ever half-century for the club, as he finished on 62no (eight fours, two sixes) to ensure a very unlikely win for the Fourths which takes them to fourth in their division.

Rumitkumar Patel with 3-44 (8) was the most successful bowler for Newton Tracey, and he must have thought his early demolition of the Sandford top order would have seen his side to victory. Not to be I'm afraid.

Next Saturday the Fourths travel to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Thirds for a 1pm start.

Phil Matten