SANDFORD Cricket Club currently has two teams sat at the top of their respective Cricket Leagues.

The Firsts are currently 10 points clear at the top of the Premier Division with five games to go, and with a massive game ahead on Saturday, August 5, when they entertain second placed Bradninch and Kentisbeare at Creedy Park.

The Seconds have found life difficult in the B Division in recent weeks, and following a run of defeats find themselves propping up the Division.

However, with that particular division being very close, a couple of wins could suddenly find them in mid-table.

A trip to Seaton, the team just above them, lies in wait on Saturday, August 5.

The Thirds still remain undefeated as they continue to lead the way by 27 points, with only four games remaining in H Division East, and so will hope to continue their good form with a visit to Axminster on Saturday, August 5.

Recent results:

Saturday, July 8

Firsts – Paignton – away - won by six wickets – Paignton 215-7 (Jack Ford 3-25, Dikshu Negi 2-36); Sandford 218-4 (Dikshu Negi 79 no, Ciaran Gray 40, Albert Grieve 39, Lawrence Walker 23).

Seconds – Bovey Tracey Seconds – home – lost by 104 runs – Bovey Tracey Seconds 212-8 (Shaun Hawkins 4-29); Sandford Second 108 (Brian Leach 26).

Thirds – Budleigh Salterton Thirds – home – won by seven wickets – Budleigh Salterton Thirds 145 (Emily Wilson 3-26, Mathew Theedom 3-16): Sandford Thirds 146-3 (Elliott Butterfield 58, Chris Blake 26 no).

Saturday, July 15

Firsts – Bovey Tracey – home – won by six wickets – Bovey Tracey 102 – 8 (25 overs) (Jack Ford 3-17, Dikshu Negi 3-18, Jackson Thompson 2-17); Sandford 95 – 4 - 18.5 overs - revised target 95 from 23 overs (Ciaran Gray 28, Lawrence Walker 20 no).

Seconds – Cullompton – away – lost by 97 runs – Cullompton 186-6 (23 overs) (Brian Leach 3-44); Sandford Seconds 89 – 9 (23 overs) (Tyler Morgan-Huggett 21).

Thirds – Barnstaple and Pilton Seconds – away – won by seven wickets – B and P Seconds 71 (Ben Clement 3-9, Sebi Gibbs 2-11), Sandford Thirds (Jon James 24).

Saturday, July 22

Firsts – Sidmouth – away – cancelled

Seconds – Bridestowe – home – cancelled

Thirds – Bradninch and Kentisbeare Fourth – home – cancelled.

Saturday, July 29

Firsts – Exmouth – home – lost by eight wickets – Sandford 197-7 (Ciaran Gray 36, Lawrence Walker 33, Harrison Jones 31, Jack Ford 28, James Theedom 27no); Exmouth 198-2 (James Theedom 2-19).

Seconds – Barton – away – lost by 35 runs – Barton 195-6 (Brian Leach 2-18), Sandford Seconds 155 (Pete Steer 36, Shaun Hawkins 27, Tyler Morgan-Huggett 26, Archie Osborne 24, Joe Hopkins 22).

Thirds – Exmouth Thirds – won by 194 runs – Sandford Thirds 276-3 (Jon James 126, Ellie Bishop 51, Tom Gidney 44, Alex Stevens 32 no); Exmouth Thirds 82 (Jack Prescott 3-8, Sebi Gibbs 2-20, Jemima Vereker 2-23).

As well as the league games that have been played Sandford Firsts also came runners-up in the League’s 20/20 competition.

Having beaten Plympton in a tense semi-final by just two runs, managing to defend 127, they came unstuck in the final.

Having restricted Bovey Tracey to only 102 from their 20 overs, Sandford were disappointingly bowled out for 85, losing their last seven wickets for only 15 runs.

Phil Matten