SANDFORD Cricket Club’s First XI lost again last Saturday, this time to previously winless North Devon at Creedy Park by three wickets.

After a disastrous start which saw the home team slump to 13-3, knocks of 36 from Lawrence Walker and 35 from Aryan Lakra saw a slight recovery in the Sandford score. However it was left to lower order batters Praison Alias 53 and Tom Maidment 43 not out with an 8th wicket stand of 80, to guide Sandford towards their eventual total of 229 for nine in their 50 overs.

Although North Devon made a good start and reached 141 for 1 thanks to their skipper Jack Moore 72 and No.3 Jack Whittaker 59, the wheels started to come off as they lost steady wickets, but in the end Roshan Lakmal guided them to victory with a steady knock of 57 not out, with victory at 233 for 7 eventually being achieved in the penultimate over.

No Sandford bowler took more than one wicket, and this result was a big disappointment after last week’s victory at Sidmouth.

The 8 points gained from this result still keeps Sandford in 8th place in the Devon Premier League, and ironically, gained one point over Sidmouth – 7 points from their loss - who remain below them, along with North Devon a further 20 points back.

Next Saturday sees the second half of the season start, with the 1sts playing Exeter at the County Ground 12.30pm start. Hopefully the second half will prove more fruitful than the first half.

SANDFORD 2NDS GAIN ANOTHER WIN ON THE ROAD

Sandford Cricket Club’s Second XI made the long journey to Upottery last Saturday, which on paper should have been a fairly straightforward victory, based on league positions, but nothing could be taken for granted.

The home team batted first and scored 164 all out in 39.5 overs with 71 of those coming from skipper James Mitcham, including three sixes and 7 fours.

Ollie Knight, aged just 16, returned to the Seconds after a couple of weeks away with the Firsts, and finished with 3-29 from his nine overs, and Ryan Glass decimated Upottery’s middle order with three wickets in one over to finish with 3-34 from his nine overs.

Jack James also bowled well with 2-23 (5.5) as wickets fell regularly for the home side.

In response Jon James gave the Sandford lads another steady start with 24, followed by Joe Hopkins 21, but it was left to Byron Knowles 66 not out (two sixes, eight fours, and skipper-for-the-day Ryan Glass 28 not out, to guide their team to victory inside 34 overs, as they reached their goal of 165 for the loss of only four wickets.

This result keeps the Sandford lads in third place in C Division West with a tough game next week against Seaton in second place, at Creedy Park with a 1pm start.

On Sunday the Seconds were due to play Sidmouth Seconds in the Corinthian Cup, but after Sidmouth were unable to field a side.

The Seconds now progress to the next round, details to follow in due course.

Phil Matten