SANDFORD Thirds entertained F Division Central League leaders Teignmouth and Shaldon Seconds on the second pitch at Creedy Park last Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat, but when they had been reduced to 29 for three early in proceedings, they must have wondered if they had made the right decision.

Enter Messrs A. Smith and A. Downing. Together they set about rectifying the situation for their team as they added 71 for the fourth wicket, before Downing was out for 36 (four fours).

However it was Smith who guided his team to 271 for seven by the time their 40 overs ran out. Although he was out at 250 for seven, it was not before he had cracked 112 (12 fours, four sixes) by the time he departed the crease. A lot of carnage at the end of the innings, together with 39 wides and two no-balls didn't help Sandford's cause, as the lower T&S order took advantage.

Only Glyn Baker three-40 (eight) offered much from the Sandford bowling, although fair play to Jack James, whose impressive eight over spell only cost 26 runs as well as a wicket. The less said about the rest the better.

Sandford made steady progress in reply and at 76 for two it could still have been “game on”. However wickets fell steadily once Alex Stevens 22 (four fours), Will Street also 22 (four fours) and Rob Stoyle 33 (five fours) were back in the changing rooms, as the score plummeted to 131 for nine.

A late flurry from Jack James, who had a good game, saw him “wield the willow” on his way to 49no (five fours, three sixes), as he shared a last wicket partnership of 48 with Glyn 'Diesel' Baker six, before Glyn succumbed, and the side were finally bowled out for 179 in only 32.1 overs, and as such lost by 92 runs.

For Teignmouth and Shaldon, P. Whitmore two-34 (eight), K. Wilkins three-30 (six) and F. Bond three-58 (seven) created most of the damage for the visitors, but it was Smith's knock of 112 that obviously won them the game, as they maintained their position at the top of the division.

This Saturday the Thirds travel to Clyst Hydon for a 1pm start.

Phil Matten