SANDFORD’S North Devon League side travelled to Instow last Sunday to take on North Devon CC, and what a game they had.

With another side full of seven youngsters under the age of 18, despite losing by 21 runs, 625 runs were scored in the afternoon.

North Devon batted first, and knocks of 78 from skipper Jack Moore (13 fours) and 71 from overseas Definate Mawadzi (eight fours and a six), dominated their scoring, backed up with 52no (nine fours) from Richard Clarke and 25 (four fours and a six) from Ed Wilson in an eventual North Devon total of 323 from their 40 overs. 51 extras, including an unbelievable 40 Wides did not help Sandford's cause.

Sebi Gibbs 2-59 (8) and Will Hopkins 2-48 (8) were Sandford's main wicket-takers.

In reply, after the loss of an early wicket, 17-year-old Jo Saunders notched his first senior half century in a second wicket stand of 131 with Andy Fry. Jo eventually fell for exactly 50 having batted for 76 balls and hitting six fours.

Andy himself was the fourth man out with the total at 187, having followed up a fine performance on Saturday for the Seconds, with another 87 off of only 56 balls (14 fours and a six) before being unfortunately run out.

Sandford's overseas Tambir Hayder, at last got some decent runs under his belt with a quick-fire 60 from 37 balls (seven fours, three sixes), but his dismissal at 263 for six probably saw Sandford's outside chance of a win disappear.

However, 17-year-old Ollie Knight took the score past 300 with 26no (three fours), as Sandford fell to a 21-run defeat at 302 for six as their 40 overs came to an end.

Veteran Richard Screech 2-46 (5) and Definate Mawadzi 2-30 (6) were North Devon's main wicket-takers.

A special mention to Sandford skipper Jon James for actually managing to get a side together for this game, and Dean Pidgeon who dusted off his whites for a rare Sunday afternoon appearance. Thanks guys for a great effort.

Phil Matten