RESULTS were reversed last weekend for Sandford Cricket Club teams as the First Eleven returned from their trip to Torquay with a victory and the Second Eleven lost at home to Chardstock.

Let us hope that this trend of defeats at Creedy Park can be overcome starting this Saturday when the First Eleven is hosting the current league leaders from Paignton.

At Torquay the home side won the toss and had no hesitation in batting. Sandford’s possible South African cricketer has had to withdraw his services due to an injury and therefore a debut was handed to Australian all-rounder Harrison Jones.

He took two wickets and Trevor Anning took three but a miserly spell of one for 24 off 10 overs from Chris Jelley meant that Sandford restricted their hosts to 211 for eight.

Sandford’s reply got off to a good start with Sandy Allen scoring 42, Neil Bettiss 39 and skipper Richard Foan 25 but then a mid-order collapse saw the side go from 144 for three to 177 for eight and still another 34 for victory.

Pete Steer, 21 not out, and Chris Simpson, 17 not out, ensured there was to be no further drama as Sandford got home by two wickets to record their first victory of the season.

The Second Eleven is going to have to learn some harsh lessons very quickly or it could be a long season ahead.

Apart from Budleigh Salterton all this year’s opposition are First Eleven’s and this means that most sides have some very useful cricketers. When batting it will be important to make sure wickets are not given away and when bowling and fielding concentration will have to be for the full 45 overs.

Chardstock won the toss and elected to bat and Sandford did well to restrict them to 184 for seven.

There were two wickets for Brian Leach (making a welcome return), Greg Lewis and Ben Clement but some late order hitting out made the Sandford target more difficult than it maybe could have been.

After slipping to 25 for three there was a good partnership between Shaun Hawkins, 52, and Ben Clement, 28, but after Shaun rather surrendered his wicket there was little else to follow and Sandford were bowled out for 151.

Results elsewhere mean that Sandford are only one place above the bottom three and therefore it is hoped that this position can be improved next Saturday on a visit to Clyst Hydon.

The Sunday Second Eleven made the short trip to Beaford. Paul Smith had assembled a mix of youth and experience and had to field first when Beaford elected to bat.

Ryan Glass, getting some useful practice in the middle, took three wickets as did Shaun Cockram and Beaford were bowled out for 150.

It is never easy batting on the village square as most found. Liam Gardner going in at No 8 top scored with 31 and Ryan Glass scored 21 but apart from Andy Gibson’s 15 no other batsman got past 10 and the game was lost by 31 runs.

The weather seems to be turning for the better so there can be no better place to enjoy a pint and watch the cricket than at Creedy Park.

This weekend’s offerings are as follows: Saturday, May 18 First Eleven v Paignton, 12.30pm; Sunday, May 19 First Eleven v Newton Tracey, 1.30pm.

Mike Canning