SANDFORD Cricket Club’s Second XI continue to impress in C Division East, this time beating bottom club Bradninch and Kentisbeare Seconds by the narrowest of margins – 1 wicket.

With a number of players absent, they possibly travelled to Bradninch in hope rather than expectation, but certainly looking to avenge an earlier season home defeat.

The home side won the toss and batted first and meandered to 176 all out in 39.3 overs, mainly thanks to 56 from Toby Hard. But from a Sandford point of view, some fine bowling by young 15 year old Alfie Butterfield, whose flight and guile saw him return excellent figures of 4-48 (9), backed up by 3-45 (9) from skipper Pete Steer, at lease saw the B and K score remain within touching distance.

Joe Hopkins 26 (5 fours) and Tom Gidney 33 (5 fours and a six) kept the reply interesting, but with wickets falling at regular intervals, only Andy Fry 31no (5 fours), offered any true form of resistance.

A healthy 27 extras helped as Sandford reached 173 for 9 before Sebi Gibbs, playing his first second team game of the season – he’s been injured all year – smashed a boundary four to see his team home by 1 wicket and a further 19 point win.

This win consolidates the Seconds third position in their division, and no matter what happens in Saturday’s final game of the season, home to Upottery (1pm start), the Seconds have had an excellent season.

Phil Matten