FOLLOWING their comprehensive defeat of Tiverton Heathcoat on Saturday, September 3 Sandford Cricket Club Second XI started an evening of celebrations.

Many photos were taken as the players got into full party mode by wearing their sweaters back to front.

It gives you all an opportunity to see the names of those who have taken the club up into B Division for the 2023 season.

To be fair these are the 11 who played this last weekend but there have been up to another dozen players who have played during the season and have contributed to the success.

Tiverton won the toss and decided to bat as they felt they might be rather weak due to unavailabilities and didn’t really want to delay the post match drinking.

Once again it was the spin twins of Shaun Hawkins, four for 28, and Chris Jelley, three for 18, who did the damage after there had been a wicket apiece for James Theedom, Pete Steer and Waggy!

The all out total of 130 was never going to trouble Sandford and with the sides leading run scorer Jon James getting 32 at the top of the order it was left to Tom Gidney to steer the side over the line for promotion with 40 not out as the Second XI eased to victory by six wickets with nearly 20 overs still to play.

After the obligatory champagne it was back to Creedy Park to join the First and Third XIs for the end of season party.

Plenty of photos taken here but none to be published in such a respectable paper as the “Courier”!

It was a historic day as it marked the end of a long and extremely successful time with the Club for Captain Richard Foan.

Richard has transformed the set up of cricket during his tenure and so many young cricketers can be so grateful for his guidance and coaching. On the field of play his was always a prized wicket for our opponents and his all round abilities meant that whether bowling or fielding he was always making an important contribution to each match.

He has decided to follow his cricketing interests in Australia and he will be greatly missed by all at Sandford Cricket Club.

Not only did he lead his side to one last victory but also scored 47 and took a wicket.

Pride of place for the match must go to Jackson Thompson, possibly Richard’s replacement for next year, who took three for 23 as Cornwood were bowled out for 242.

Ryan Glass took three for 38 after there was a wicket for Jamie Palmer, Jack Ford and Andrew Buzza. Jackson has really found his form at the latter end of the season and plundered his first 100 for Sandford.

His 102 not out came off only 66 balls and included 14 4’s and four 6’s! Lawrence Walker scored 29 and Adam Small 26 as Sandford raced to a four wicket victory with over 10 overs left.

The game at Bradninch was completed and it therefore means that the First XI finish runners-up in the Premier Division and will undoubtedly be looking to get that title next season.

The Third XI completed a clean sweep on the final weekend of the season by defeating Culmstock Second XI by six wickets and with 15 overs to spare. Jason Matten took three for 13, Jack Perry three for 38 and Finn Warren two for 15 as the hosts were bowled out for 131.

Joe Hopkins finished undefeated on 47 and there was 40 for Harry Collinge. So many players have produced good performances throughout the season and it is interesting to note finishing third in the table Sandford were a massive 66 points ahead of the side finishing fourth.

This is really positive for next season when the side will be looking to build on this year and with the facilities offered by the new ground give everyone the opportunity of getting out of the H Division.

So another season is completed and it is one that Sandford Cricket Club can look back on with pride.

The First XI finished runners up and got to the finals day of their 20/20 competition.

The Second XI have won C Division East and also reached the finals day of their 20/20 competition and the Third XI have finished third in their league. Many of you have attended matches and the Club is truly grateful for your support.

There have been County matches at various levels played, the Community League was a great success and of course so much work has been done to prepare the second pitch that will prove so beneficial moving forward.

On a personal note I would like to thank everyone who has read this column over recent years for the kind comments you have made.

It has been a pleasure to report on the cricket over the past years but I have made the decision to take a step back as I cannot be so involved with the club on Saturdays due to the Second XI being in a division with neutral umpires.

Mike Canning