THE jinx on Sandford Cricket Club's players continued during the last week with two more first XI players becoming unavailable.

Matt Jeacock did something in his back at the start of last Saturday week's win over Cornwood, and during the week our overseas player Tanbir Hayder tweaked a tendon in his knee and is now likely to be out of action for at least a couple of weeks.

But, as they say, the show must go on. As such the First XI travelled to reigning Premier Division Champions Bradninch and Kentisbeare last Saturday with yet again a weakened side.

Having lost the toss and being asked to field first, to restrict the home side to 244 for nine from their 50 overs, on paper seemed a reasonable effort. Having B&K struggling at 49 for three was a good early effort, before Dan Hardy 70 (nine fours and a six), Jonathan Triner 40 (five fours and a six) and Josh Farley 31 (three fours) propped up the middle order, after B&K skipper Gary Chappell had opened up with 29 (four fours and a six).

As such 49 for three became 209 for six with seven overs left, and whilst the late order wagged a little, to end up claiming four bowling bonus points would have been pleasing for the Sandford bowlers.

Ben Handley three-43 (eight) and Tudor Morgan-Huggett three-46 (10), playing his first Premier game of the season, led the bowling effort, ably supported by veteran Jamie Palmer two-53 (10) and a miserly effort from Jackson Thompson one-13 (10), went someway to keeping the B&K batters in check.

However, B&K have a strong bowling outfit, and the loss of early wickets didn't help Sandford's cause of trying to reach the target set by the home side. Wickets fell regularly throughout their innings with no one batter able to post a decent score. Young Ben Handley did his best to defy the B&K bowlers as he stood fast with a defiant 22 (three fours), but his was the best individual score any Sandford batter could muster.

An eventual all-out total of 153 from 34.3 overs probably tells its own story, but at least three batting points gained looked more than appeared likely at one stage. So despite a 91-run loss, the seven points gained on the face of it seemed a reasonable return.

With Exeter having been deducted 60 points during the past week for a permit irregularity concerning their overseas player, and the loss and one tie of three of the teams below Sandford in the league, the damage from this loss was somewhat negated, and as such the Firsts find themselves in fourth place in the Premier Division, but more importantly 39 points above the second relegation spot.

For B&K their bowling efforts were led by Josh Farley three-38 (9.3), Muhammad Ismail two-41 (eight), Gary Chappell two-22 (six) and Charlie Sheen two-36 (six).

This coming Saturday the Firsts are at home to Exmouth at Creedy Park with a 12.30pm start.

At this point the Club would like to congratulate Jackson Thompson on being chosen to play in two of this week's three England Over 40s Home International matches due to be played at Bishops Stortford.

Also congratulations to Ryan Glass and his partner Alice on the birth of their son Louie, and also Ben Clement and his partner Becca on the birth of their daughter Addalynn.

Phil Matten