IN sport the difference between winning and losing can often be defined in small margins.

This was the case with Sandford Second XI who won their final match in the mini league by four wickets but lost out on topping the table by just one point!

It would be unfair to say that this was due to losing six wickets against Exmouth rather than just four as the side needs to realise that every point won during a season can prove to be important even when chasing a losing cause and an extra bowling point against Clyst St George or an extra batting point against Exeter would have been enough also.

Exmouth were asked to bat on what was probably the wettest wicket ever seen at Sandford due to the conditions that hit Devon on Thursday.

Ex-Sandford player Richard Baggs was leading Exmouth and he decided the best form of defence was attack.

He scored a quickfire 35 but after that there was little that Exmouth could offer as they were bundled out for 93.

Tom Williams got the most out of the conditions taking four for eight and Shaun Hawkins weighed in with two for eight.

It was Greg Lewis who took the important wicket of Baggs and finished up with figures of three for 18.

This was never going to be an easy chase but it was still disappointing to see the way some of the Sandford batsmen managed to get themselves out when quite a lot was at stake.

Tom Williams scored 19 and skipper Shaun Hawkins 16 but it was left to Archie Osborne 23 not out and Rob Stoyle to steer Sandford home by four wickets.

This last pair showed the desire to get Sandford over the line when the game could easily have been lost!

There have been some good performances in this truncated season but there has also been signs that show that consistency and the need to fight to the very end will be needed when life gets back to normal next season in the C Division.

VICTORY

Foanie’s Firsts made the short trip to Hatherleigh and finished up with a three wickets victory.

It is interesting to note that the skipper decided to let nine of his team have a bowl so goodness knows what Ryan Glass had done to upset him!

After a delayed start due to the wet outfield Hatherleigh were bowled out for 119.

Richard Foan took four for 20, Trevor Anning two for 10 and Harrison Jones 22.

I suspect batting conditions were no easier than at Sandford so Ryan Glass decided that he would take on the Hatherleigh bowling.

After Sandy Allen had been removed without bothering the scorers Ryan was joined by Harry Everett and they took the score to 65 before Ryan was dismissed for 45 including five fours and two sixes.

Sandford then moved slowly but surely towards their target with Harrison Jones scoring 22 and Harry Everett 20.

Getting across the winning line proved a little difficult as two wickets were lost on 119 and rather than a five wickets victory this was reduced to a three wickets win.

As with the Second XI there have been some good performances but on the day the side has not been able to compete with Tiverton Heathcoat.

Whether this means that some strengthening of the team needs to happen before next season I’m not sure but I’m certain the selectors will be considering any options.

Theed’s Thirds pulled off a scalp by inflicting the first defeat of the season to Cheriton Fitzpaine.

It was already determined that the Third XI would finish runners-up but it was a great performance to beat the mini-league winners.

Sandford restricted the visitors to 137 for eight in their 35 overs with Jack Prescott taking two for 29 and Alex Stevens two for 28.

Top scorer was extras and this can certainly be an area that this young side can look to improve before the start of next season. Ellie Bishop then top scored for Sandford with 41 and Jack James scored 31 as the Third XI got home by two wickets.

The improvements made by this side in its first season of competitive adult cricket are truly remarkable and Matt Theedom is to be congratulated in the way he has encouraged the progress to be made.

WELL DONE

One of these youngsters is Matt’s son, James.

I reported last week that James scored his maiden half-century in adult cricket against Exwick Second XI.

He followed this up on Wednesday by scoring his maiden half-century for his County. Devon Under 13s were playing Somerset at Sandford.

Somerset batted first and in glorious weather conditions scored 180 off their 40 overs.

This always looked to be a challenging total to chase as Devon always seemed to be behind the asking run rate but James came to the crease and after getting a feel of the bowling started to open up and scored 57.

This seemed to give belief to the rest of the side and a really exciting game to an incredible finish as Devon chased down the total and scored the two needed off the final ball to win by two wickets.

Chris Theedom is also to be congratulated on the fact that in such a short season Sandford has been entrusted by the County for three matches.

This endorses the tremendous work that is going on both on the field of play and behind the scenes at the Club.

It might have been a very short season in which the weather hasn’t been as nice as one could have hoped but it has still been good to get out to Creedy Park, to enjoy the social life that is on offer and to see the many pictures posted by Jay Harris of proceedings going on at the ground.

Michael Canning