SANDFORD Thirds are enjoying life in F Division Central, after another emphatic win last Saturday on the second pitch at Creedy Park, when they beat South Devon Seconds by 94 runs.

Batting first saw a welcome return from injury for veteran Pete Steer who was asked to open the batting to test how the injury was. Steery dominated the early batting as his class showed. He was eventually out for 74 (11 fours), with the score on 144 for four, but by then he had guided his team into a potential match-winning scenario from less than 20 overs.

His efforts were then added to by two youngsters Zak Blewett 47 (nine fours), and Joe Saunders 25 (five fours), as they added 59 for the fifth wicket. Although they both departed within a few balls of each other, big Colin Blick then took matters into his own hands by smashing 56 runs from only 33 balls (11 fours), to see Sandford through to an eventual 280 for seven from their 40 overs.

Harry Ayling 3-47 (8) and Joshua Vicary 2-50 (8) did their best for their South Devon team to halt the onslaught of the Sandford batters.

At 67 for five in reply, the game was up for South Devon. However, some late resistance from Lewis Hill 36 (six fours and a six), James Wright 32 (five fours and a six) and a few other scores in the high teens/lower twenties saw South Devon eventually reach 186 after 33.4 overs to lose by 94 runs.

Young James Morgan, who is having a great season for the Club, took another two wickets 2-27 (8), along with Colin Blick 2-47 (8) to complete a good game for him, and Simon “Horse” Head Groundsman Saunders 3-23 (5.4) were the main home team wicket takers.

The 20 points gained from this victory sees the Thirds nesting nicely in fourth place in this league, following their promotion at the end of last season, and looking like they're going to stay there.

Bear also in mind that with the number of players who were unavailable this week across the club, this result was quite a statement to show the strength the club has in its ranks.

This Saturday the Thirds are at home to Bovey Tracey Thirds with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten