SANDFORD Thirds had a really tough day at the office last Saturday when they travelled to Teignmouth to play Teignmouth and Shaldon Seconds.

T&S batted first and got off to a lightening start as brothers K. and T. Blackburn laid into the Sandford bowlers. K. Blackburn eventually fell at 122 for 54 from only 46 balls (11 fours).

However his brother continued to bat uninhibited for 139no (103 balls, 19 fours, three sixes) to remain undefeated. He was joined towards the end of the innings by A.Smith who came in and went ballistic, smacking 101no from only 50 balls (13 fours, six sixes).

Their efforts saw the T&S innings close at 366 for three after their 40 overs. Only Colin Blick 2-55 (8) had any impact bowling-wise. The remaining analyses are better not disclosed.

Sandford's reply fell to 49 for three with Colin Blick 31 (seven fours) scoring most of those runs.

Mark Allison 48 (five fours, two sixes) and Rhys James 23 (one four, two sixes) tried their best to boost the Sandford total, but in the end the innings subsided to 166 all out in 27.1 overs to suffer a 200 run defeat.

For T&S T. Blackburn completed a great all-round game by claiming 4-36 (7.1) to easily take the Man of the Match honours. He was well supported by R.Abraham 2-34 (6) and F.Bond 3-42 (6).

With the Thirds position in F Division Central secured some weeks ago, this result will be disappointing, but this division does have some strong teams in it, especially when our Thirds are playing second XIs, or even first XIs from other clubs.

This Saturday the Thirds are home to Clyst Hydon with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten