SANDFORD Cricket Club Seconds gained yet another win last Saturday, August 9 when they entertained Exmouth Seconds at Creedy Park.

They came away with a thrilling one-wicket win thanks to two of their Devon young players, 16-year-old Ollie Knight and 15-year-old Alfie Butterfield.

Batting first, Exmouth started well, but their early order belligerence was overshadowed by a steady flow of wickets, and eventually they were bowled out for only 136 in 34.4 overs with no batter getting past 17.

Ollie Knight three for 27 (six) did the early damage taking the first three wickets, and his efforts were backed up by veteran Brian Leach two for 15 (seven), Ben Handley two for 37 (nine) and Alfie Butterfield two for 19 (six).

So a total of 136 should have been easy meat for the Sandford batters. However, once skipper-for-the-day Pete Steer 43 (five fours) and run machine Tom Gidney 23 (four fours) departed, this saw the home team subside from 80 for one to 86 for three, and despite 24 from Ellie Bishop (three fours), wickets fell at regular intervals. At 121 for nine, things did not look promising with 15 overs left.

Enter Alfie Butterfield to join Ollie Knight. Together they batted sensibly and maturely, way above their years, and gradually they chipped away at the deficit before Ollie drove a winning boundary through the covers to finish a great game with just under two overs left to reach 140 for nine.

Ollie’s 13no and Alfie’s five no may not look special, but in the context of the result, they were immense.

Next Saturday the Seconds travel to Uplyme and Lyme Regis with a 1.00pm start.

The Thirds didn’t have a game last Saturday, but the good news is that they are still top of G Division Central by two points after North Molton unexpectedly lost to North Devon Thirds by six wickets, and in doing so only gained seven points.

Next Saturday, August 16, they travel to Torquay and Kingskerswell Thirds looking to avenge an earlier season defeat at Creedy Park with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten