SANDFORD Cricket Club Thirds must have had the “game of the day” in the Devon League last Saturday when they entertained North Molton at Creedy Park on the second pitch in their G Division Central encounter.

North Molton batted first and amassed a formidable 285 for two from their allotted 40 overs.

On a superb batting strip North Molton opener, captain and wicketkeeper James Tapp set the score rolling with 104 (13 fours, two sixes) from only 102 balls.

When he was joined by L.Hough they shared a second wicket partnership pf 155, with Hough himself smashing his way to 124 not out from only 86 balls (13 fours, eight sixes).

Their eventual total of 285 for two would certainly set a target for the Sandford Thirds batters, if they wished to maintain their position at the top of the division.

Bring on openers Elliott Butterfield and Ellie Bishop. Remarkably they put on 225 for the first wicket in only 33 overs before Ellie fell caught behind for 83 from only 84 balls (11 fours).

She really is a good cricketer and having now added strength to her durability as a batter, as well as usually being a very good slow bowler as well, she now looks the part, and to be fair, was probably a little unlucky to have been dropped from the Seconds where she had been playing all season. At least she was able to have a bat last Saturday.

However, Elliott continued to dominate the North Molton bowling, and continued on his merry way to crack an astonishing 179 no from only 131 balls (28 fours, five sixes), and in doing so guide his team to an amazing eight-wicket win at 286 for two in 37.4 overs. He is another player who has now added patience to his batting game, as well as being a very competent wicketkeeper, and is an exciting prospect going forward.

Credit to Simon Saunders, our second pitch curator, for producing a pitch which saw 571 runs scored for the loss of only four wickets. Incredible on a ground that was a farmer's field five years ago.

This victory enhanced the Thirds’ position at the top of the G Division Central with a six-point advantage over Paignton Fourths.

The Thirds have no game next week, as it is their turn to have a week off in a division with only nine teams.

Phil Matten