WITH the 2018 cricket season already upon us, and thankfully the weather beginning to pick up, Sandford Cricket Club held its annual Sponsors’ evening in the “Bill Matten Pavilion” at Creedy Park on Friday, April 27.

The evening was attended by a record number of sponsors, together with their guests, and a number of Club members. Unfortunately, due to the weather the sponsors could not see the usual incredible turnout the Club now experiences every Friday with the Colts training.

It is not unusual to see anything up to 80 boys and girls, ranging in ages from eight to 14, attend the Club for coaching between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

“All Stars” training for five-to-eight year olds has now also started between 5pm and 6pm. Last year was the first year this was introduced, and Sandford had the best response from any Club in the South West with more than 70 five-to-eight year olds regularly attending.

Any children interested, but not yet registered, can turn up at around 6.30pm on a Friday evening and have a practice. It’s not too late to join. We look forward to seeing them.

Sandford Cricket Club is very grateful to its sponsors for their continued support.

This year is likely to be a very interesting season, with the First Eleven returning to the Devon League Premier Division after a couple of seasons in the A Division, and the Seconds playing in the D Division East.

For the Seconds this will be new ground, and follows the League’s decision to now operate an “all-through” league from 2018 onwards. This replaces the previous separate league structure for the Second Eleven’s.

Last year was a very good year on the field of play, with the First Eleven finishing top of the A Division, hence why they will be in the Premier this year.

The Seconds finished second in their division last year, and hence due to the way the League has reformed the Divisions this year, they find themselves in D (East).

On Sundays, the Club will again be playing two teams in the North Devon League. The Sunday Firsts finished runners-up in the First Division last year, and therefore will remain in that Division this year.

The Sunday Seconds exceeded all expectation and finished top of the Third Division in 2017. They now find themselves therefore playing in the Second Division. We shall wait and see how they get on.

The Club has a very loyal band of sponsors, many of whom have been supporting the Club for in excess of 12 years, and in one or two cases 25 years.

Graphics have been the main Club sponsors since our first overseas player was brought over in 1996, and they still continue to support the Club in 2018.

Charlesworth Nicholl, a local Crediton firm of solicitors has been sponsoring the Club longer than anyone else, albeit in various forms as a number of name changes have been undertaken over this period of time.

After a brief introduction from Club Vice Chairman and Sponsor’s Co-Ordinator, Phil Matten, everyone was welcomed by First Eleven’s captain, Richard Foan, and thanked for their continuing support.

He expressed how this support had over the years helped the Club to provide and maintain the superb facilities afforded to all members, both playing and supporters.

Richard was followed by Nigel Ashplant who informed everyone of a few changes that were about to happen at the Club in respect of the facilities. This included new furniture for the clubhouse itself, and the intention to renovate the kitchen area at the end of the season.

Nigel was also able to confirm that our Overseas player for this year would be a former Pakistan Test player, Faisal Iqbal.

He has now arrived, and by the time you read this article, should have played his first game for Sandford last weekend. We trust he will enjoy his time at the Club.

Nigel was followed by Matt Theedom who gave an informative run down on the situation regarding the Colts. This included telling everyone that the Club was now running eight teams, ranging from eight to 18 years of age (boys and girls), soft and hardball cricket, and how their sponsorship has helped the Club support the financing of these teams.

Phil Matten then wrapped things up by inviting all the sponsors present to come forward and handover their contributions, as well as discussing the fact that 2019 will see the Club celebrate 70 years of being in existence.

In preparation for this event a number of changes have taken place with the Club increasing the size of its handbook, which includes sponsors’ adverts, and where possible, changed them to colour adverts.

Phil also informed everyone that six sponsored games would take place during six of the nine home First Eleven games, with a number of organisations being provided with lunch and tea.

For the first time in the Club’s history, the senior teams in 2018 will be wearing shirts emblazoned with a sponsor’s logo - Sandford Orchards. Thanks to Barny Butterfield for the increased support he is offering the Club over the next few years.

The Colts teams will be showing the Graphics logo on their clothing, whilst the senior teams’ training kit (and T20 kit) will show the Helmores logo.

As well as Graphic, Helmores, Sandford Orchards and Quality Solicitors Charlesworth Nicholl, other club sponsors in 2018 will be Haines Watts Accountants, Mole Avon Town and Country Stores, Pool ‘n’ Spa Services, Eakers DIY, The Three Little Pigs, Crediton Milling Co Ltd., The Lamb Inn, Sandford, Terry and Kim Petherick, K S Bevan Ltd – Building Contractor, Mid Devon Tyres, Ladds Computers, N A Guppy Ltd, Crediton Car and MOT Centre, Rose and Crown, Sandford, The Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres, C Sansom Ltd, Adams Home Hardware, Crediton Auto Services, Meadowside Garage, Sandford, Coombe Valley Fabrications, Devondale Electrical Ltd, A and S Paving, Northfield Gardening and Landscaping, Le-Roy Funerals, F J Stevens and Son Monumental Masons, Crediton Coffee Company, A J Cox Butchers, W J Chinn Ltd, Adaero Precision Components Ltd and Kirton Ventures Ltd.

As well as the above business sponsors, the Club is also very pleased to announce that it has a number of private sponsors. Sandie Eakers, Sue Sparham, Mike Palmer, Mike Tucker, and Pete and Sylvia Whitby from Taw Vale Guest House.

They have all again offered their support for the Club, which to be fair, the majority of them have done for many years, Mike Tucker joining for the first time this year.

Thank you to all sponsors, both commercial and private, for your support.

After thanking the sponsors, Phil invited everyone to enjoy the superb buffet provided by Nicky Radnor, as well as mentioning that we would hopefully look forward to seeing a number of them at Creedy Park throughout the forthcoming season.

Phil Matten