SANDFORD Thirds travelled to Chudleigh last Saturday to play Chudleigh Seconds and in a remarkable game – but not for the right reasons – they came away with a 73-run win to maintain their fourth position in F Division Central.

Having won the toss and electing to bat, despite the early loss of a couple of wickets, opener Zak Blewett 60 (11 fours) and No. four Mark Allinson 82 (11 fours and four sixes), making a guest appearance for Sandford because of their injury crisis, added 118 for the third wicket to set Sandford on their way to a decent score.

Veteran Danny Knight was the only other batter to make a significant score with 46 (eight fours and a six) as Sandford were bowled out for 316 in 39.5 overs. Remarkably there were 72 extras, 63 of which were Wides, which enabled the Sandford total to reach the level it did.

For Chudleigh M. Lewington took three-44 (5.5), L. Reddy two-54 (eight) and B. Simcock two-55 (four) were the main wicket takers.

Chudleigh themselves lost a couple of early wickets in their reply before L. Reddy and B. Sercombe dug in to try and retrieve the situation for their side. In fact they did such a good job that together they added 190 runs for the third wicket, and even gave their side an outside chance of victory, before Sercombe departed for 77 (11 fours). Shortly afterwards Reddy was also dismissed for 103 (six fours and six sixes), and from then on there was only ever going to be one winner.

In the end, the Chudleigh Seconds innings was brought to a close at 243 for seven, and the bulk of their other runs were 40 wides given away by the Sandford bowlers to make a total of 103 wides in a game of 559 runs. Unbelievable.

For Sandford, skipper Alex Stevens took three-43 (eight) and Toby Pennington two-51 (eight) were the pick of their bowlers.

The Thirds are home to F Division Central League leaders North Molton on the second pitch at Sandford this Saturday with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten