SANDFORD Cricket Club Seconds’ superb start to the season came to an end on Saturday when they were defeated at Creedy Park, by C Division East league leaders Tiverton Heathcoat Seconds by six wickets.

Batting first, Sandford appeared to make an excellent start with Jon James 39 (four fours) and Ciaran Gray 50 (nine fours) putting on 92 for the first wicket, in good time.

However 92 for zero soon became 110 for four and then 144 for seven, and as such any early momentum had been lost. It was left to Pete Steer with an excellent 40 (three fours) to give the home team a final total of 214 all out from 44.5 overs. M.Hodson four-19 (seven) mainly caused the most damage with a controlled version of slow bowling.

In reply Heathcoat openers Bedford 97 no (14 fours two sixes) and Lock 52 (seven fours) added 104 for the first wicket, from which their team never looked back, and eventually victory at 216 for four was achieved in 38 overs. Ben Handley two-42 (8.5) and Tom Gidney two-36 (four) were Sandford's only wicket-takers.

Unfortunately Sandford's all-rounder Pete Steer puled a hamstring during his bowling spell, and as such will now be out of action for a few weeks. The team will miss him. Hopefully he will recover quickly.

Sandford now drop to third in the division, and next week travel to Exmouth Seconds with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten