LAST Sunday Sandford’s North Devon Cricket League team entertained champions-elect Tiverton Heathcoat at Creedy Park.

Heathcoat could win the League depending on a number of things going their way.

Batting first Sandford made a blistering start to the game thanks mainly to veteran opener Jon James.

He cracked a quickfire 55 from only 36 balls (13 fours) in an opening stand of 77.

When he was second man out with the score on 86, the mantle was then taken up by skipper Tom Gidney who majestically stroked 103 from only 67 balls (14 fours, three sixes) before retiring to give his fellow teammates a chance to bat.

It was then Andrew Fry’s turn to take the attack to the Heathcoat bowlers as he caressed another quickfire 71no from only 58 balls (eight fours and a six). Andy shared a 47-run partnership with Archie Osborne, who was returning from injury after a recent hand injury, but the way Archie played he’s certainly over it, as he himself cracked 36 from only 17 balls (one four and four sixes).

When the innings closed, Sandford had accumulated 340 for six from their 40 overs, and only Tom Hatton 3-52 from his eight overs could show much credit from the Heathcoat bowling contingent.

So for Heathcoat to win the league they had to score 272 runs in their 40 overs to gain an unassailable lead. However, things didn’t go well to start with as they stumbled to 83 for three before J. McManus 34 (four fours, two sixes) and T. Holley started to put things right. They shared a fourth wicket stand of 80 in quick time before McManus was out.

This brought J. Bedford into bat, and he and Holly took the Sandford bowling apart. Eventually the 272-run target was reached with plenty of overs to spare and the League had been won. Holly was eventually out with the score on 304 for five and his contribution had been an excellent 99 from only 74 balls (nine fours, six sixes). They had shared a stand of 141 runs in double quick time.

As the game ended Bedford was also out a few runs later off the last ball of the innings for 73 from 51 balls (10 fours and a six). As such the innings ended on 312 for six and Sandford therefore won the match by 28 runs.

James Morgan with 4-42 (five) was Sandford’s most successful bowler.

Congratulations to Heathcoat for retaining the North Devon Division One title they won last year as well.

And so the final match of the season sees Sandford travelling to Bridestowe and Belstone this Sunday with a 1pm start.

Phil Matten