SANDFORD Thirds entertained F Division Central League leaders North Molton last Saturday on the second pitch at Creedy Park and suffered an 81-run defeat.

North Molton won the toss and decided to bat, and despite losing a very early wicket, former Sandford player Toby Lochhead ensured they were not going to suffer the ignominy of a surprise defeat for the second week running.

Along with A. Wilson-North 36 (six fours), he added 130 runs for the second wicket, and then with M. Boundy 27 (three fours, two sixes) a further 56 for the third wicket, before he was eventually out for 115 (15 fours, five sixes) with the score on 218 for four.

However, the runs didn't stop there, as L. Roberts 50no (six fours and a six) guided his team to a 40 over total of 305 for six.

Another proliferation of 34 wides really didn't help Sandford's cause, and made life much more difficult for themselves than should have been necessary. They really must learn to bowl straight.

For Sandford, Jack James two-36 (eight) and skipper Rob Stoyle two-52 (eight) were the main wicket-takers.

With such a daunting score to try and run down, the Sandford batters at least initially gave it a go, as openers Zak Blewett 63 (11 fours) and Pete Steer 39 (seven fours) put on 84 for the opening partnership. There is no doubt North Molton's victories tend to rely on their batters rather than their bowlers, and it was only after middle order batters Rob Stoyle 23 (two fours), Mark Allison 29 (six fours) and Jack James 29 (five fours) departed, that the run chase became a lost cause.

One hundred and ninety-nine for four soon subsided to 224 all out in 37.1 overs thanks to N. Molton bowler J. Alexander five-47 (7.1) who started to get the better of the late order batters. Toby Lochhead also weighed-in with two-21 (six) to ensure N. Molton returned to N.Devon with an 81-run victory and retain their position at the top of the league.

This Saturday the Thirds are at home again to Heathcoat Thirds on the second pitch at Creedy Park with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten