AFTER a stunning victory at Sidmouth, and now the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, Sandford First XI have climbed to the top of the league.

It is still early days but having had such a brilliant display against Hatherleigh the previous weekend the First XI followed it up with another excellent performance.

Asked to bat first there were useful contributions from Lawrence Walker, 36, Ryan Glass, 25, and Richard Foan, 23.

The really important partnership was between Adam Small who finished unbeaten on 75 from 84 balls and Trevor Anning who was also not out with 53 from 47 balls. Together they rescued a slightly precarious position of 141 for six and put on 121 so that the innings closed on 262 for six.

Once again Alex Barrow caused a problem in the Sidmouth batting line-up but he didn’t get much support as Richard Hopwood took four for 52. He was backed up by Jamie Palmer and Pete Steer taking two wickets each and then skipper Richard Foan and Harry Everett chipping in at the end for their traditional wicket.

Next up is Paignton at home tomorrow, June 5 with a 12.30pm start, and a win would really set the hopes high for what might come in the rest of the season.

The Second XI were also asked to bat by Shobrooke Park who ended the first local derby for years with the bragging rights.

Sandford were well positioned to get a good total when 196 for five after Ben Clement, 70, Shaun Hawkins, 55, and Brian Leach, 30, had shown some good skills. However the last five wickets fell for 13 runs showing the unfortunate length of the tail as veteran Chris Ford took four for 25 and he was backed up with two wickets each for Andrew Codling, before damaging his hamstring, James Bevan and Chris Simpson.

Shobrooke’s reply was the absolute reverse of Sandford with a much more cautious approach.

It was very surprising to see Jonathan James hole out first ball after drinks to make the score 83 for four but from then on the game turned.

As Shobrooke became more positive so the discipline in Sandford started to get worse and dropped catches and misfields helped the momentum change.

Andrew Codling scored 38, Richard Pyle 36 and then Ben Treneman and Chris Ford came together and, with both finishing undefeated on 25, led the Park home to victory by four wickets.

Shaun Fryett, Greg Lewis and Liam Gardner each took two wickets and Sandford will travel to Sidmouth tomorrow, Saturday, June 5, still searching for that elusive first win of the season.

The Third XI completed the hat trick of sides losing the toss and being asked to bat.

The idea of entering this team in the Devon League is essentially to have a few experienced adults in the 11 to support the younger players and this worked out ideally this week with six of the youngsters making useful contributions.

Harry Collinge top scored on 69 and he was really well supported by Ellie Bishop who made 58.

There were 35 extras as Sandford posted a total of 181 for four in their 40 overs.

Chagford Second XI had no answer with the bat as they were bowled out for 91 with two wickets apiece for Anna Squire, Jack Perry, James Theedom and Jemima Vereker.

I did notice that just to prove he made some sort of a contribution to the game Matt Theedom had a successful run out!

The most pleasing part of this past weekend was that the sun shone, it was warm, Creedy Park had lots of spectators enjoying the treats offered by the bar and everyone had a smile back on their faces.

Hopefully a sign of what the rest of the summer could hold for us all!

FIXTURES

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 5 First XI v Paignton - 12.30pm start, Saturday, June 5 - Third XI v Culmstock Second XI - 1.30pm start at Newton St Cyres, Sunday June 6 - Ladies v Hatherleigh - 1.30pm start, Tuesday, June 8 - Sandford FC v Crediton RFC - 6.15pm start, Wednesday, June 9 - Graphic v Three Little Pigs - 6.15pm start.

Mike Canning