SANDFORD Thirds, G Division Central League leaders, travelled to third place Paignton Fourths last Saturday with an under-strength team, due mainly to unavailable players in the Seconds that had to be replaced.

Paignton were asked to bat first and with Glyn Baker taking a couple of early wickets to continue his good form, the Paignton team were soon in trouble.

At 89 for 9 it looked like Sandford had broken the back of the home team’s innings, but as in the First XI game, late resistance eventually saw them scramble to 135 all out in 34.4 overs.

Glyn Baker led the Sandford attack with 2-37 (8), backed up by his stepson Max Collins 2-19 (6) and a great spell of 3-11 (4) by Joseph Stevenson, aged 16.

Sandford did not get off to the start they wanted, as they quickly subsided to 16 for 4.

Skipper Alex Stevens with 29 and Jonno Handley (aged 14) steadied the ship to 60 before Alex departed. Ellie Knight, making her Third team debut alongside her father Dan, came and went, and at 76 for 6 Sandford still looked in the mire.

Jonno showed great aptitude, well above that expected for a lad of his young years, as he and James Morgan slowly guided their team to a four wicket victory.

Jonno finished on 72no (13 fours) and James on 15no (3 fours) as they put on an undefeated 7th wicket partnership of 60 to reach the required 136 in 24.2 overs.

Despite North Molton beating Shobrooke, to keep the pressure on Sandford at the top of the league, in doing so they only gained 18 points, and thus are now 21 points behind Sandford with a game in hand.

The Thirds next game is away to North Molton next Saturday, 1pm. A big game if the Thirds are to achieve the promotion they desire.

Phil Matten