SANDFORD Cricket Club 3rds entertained Clyst Hydon First Team on the second ground at Creedy Park last Saturday.

Clyst included three former Sandford players in their line-up Ian Sutton, Dom Hazell and James Billington (son of former Sandford legend Keith Dunk).

Sandford 3rds won the toss and decided to bat. Only Pete Steer with 38 from 31 balls (8 fours) made any impact amongst the top half of the Sandford batters as they slipped to 119 for 7. At this point Rhys James was joined by 15 year old Will Matten.

Together they batted sensibly and added 52 runs for the 8th wicket before Rhys was out for 40 from only 39 balls (4 fours and a six), with the total on 171 for 8.

Will then guided the remaining two batters to a total of 200 all out in 38.5 overs, before he was last man out for a superb 46 (8 fours).

H Reshi 3-29 (7) and Ian Sutton 3-16 (3.5) did the damage for the visitors.

Clyst Hydon’s response got off to a good start as Sutton and G, Trude formed a 1st wicket partnership of 70. Trude was then out for 31 (5 fours and a six), but with Sutton at the crease there was no danger for the visitors in achieving their goal.

However, things changed at 153, when the 5th wicket fell, but more importantly, it was that of Sutton, who departed for 84 (11 fours, 2 sixes).

Only James Billington with 26 (3 fours) offered much resistance in the lower order, and it was his efforts that saw Clyst needing just 5 runs to win at the start of the final over.

Remarkably, 3 wickets fell in that last over for no runs, and as such Sandford 3rds completed the second improbable win of the day for Sandford teams, by 4 runs.

Rob Stoyle 3-29 (7), Pete Steer 2-44 (8) and Man-of-the Match Will Matten 2-24 (8) restricted the visitors to ensure the home side won.

The 3rds final game of the season is away to South Devon 2nds in Newton Abbot on Saturday with a 1pm start.

Sandford 4ths didn’t have a game last weekend, and so go into their final game of the season against Newton Tracey 2nds on the second pitch at Creedy Park with a 1pm start.

Newton Tracey overtook the 4ths with a win last Saturday, and now look favourites to win the H Division East title.

However, if the 4ths, who are currently in second spot can beat them, they are assured of promotion themselves as well, which would be a great result in their first year as being a team.

Phil Matten