A WEEKEND to forget occurred last Saturday, June 8 with all three teams losing. 

The thirds also lost their T20 Tidball Cup match on Sunday, June 9. 

The firsts entertained Bradninch and Kentisbeare (B&K) – first v second in the league.  

Batting first, B&K openers put on 42 for their first wicket with skipper Gary Chappell (43) leading the way. 42 for 0 though soon became 123 for 8 midway through their innings.  

However, a 53-run 9th wicket partnership between Josh Farley 28 and Justin Wubbeling guided their team to an eventual all-out total of 182 in 39.3 overs.  

Unfortunately for Sandford, this total included 23 wides and 2 no balls, which in the end would have a detrimental effect on the total the home side needed to chase down. 

For Sandford Harrison Jones finished with 4-55 from 9 overs, and Aryan Lakra 2-12 (3.3) were the pick of the bowling unit. 

In reply Sandford added 32 for the first wicket, but then soon found themselves looking at 51-5. It was only thanks to Lawrence Walker 48 no and skipper Jackson Thompson (47) that they pushed the score to 125 before the next wicket fell.  

However Thompson’s wicket fell with 3 runs an over required for victory, but the lower half of the table couldn’t manage the task in hand, and Sandford were eventually bowled out for 151 after 42 overs.  

Defeat for the first time this season by 31 runs cut Sandford’s lead at the top of the Premier Division to 4 points. 

The 2nds made the long trip down to Brixham needing a win to break their duck. Alas, they fell to a 7-run defeat after chasing down 241, but just coming up short with 234 for 8. 

Brixham’s openers Chadwick (41) and Barron (67) got their side off to a good start with a 97-run partnership. No.3 Tom Hopper (36) then added to Sandford’s woes, but with the score on 157 for 1 Sandford fought back as the middle order came and went – 4 wickets falling on 179. However, some late hitting saw the home side reach 241 for 8 in their 45 overs. 

Praison Alias 2-50 (9) and skipper Shaun Hawkins 2-30 (9) were Sandford’s most successful bowlers. 

Sandford’s response was built around a third wicket partnership between Pete Steer (54) and skipper Hawkins (77). They put some respectability into the score before Steer departed at 123-3. Praison Alias (52) then helped his skipper set about the home bowling.  

However, he couldn’t guide the lower order to a win, finishing 7 short of victory when the overs ran out. A worthy effort and something to build on going forward. However, this still leaves Sandford bottom of the C Division West 16 points from safety. 

The thirds playing at Creedy also lost their undefeated record to B&K’s third XI. The B&K innings was built around a third wicket stand of 105 between skipper Percival (74) and Marsh (58). The skipper batted for most of the innings whilst guiding his team to 183 for 8 in their 40 overs. 

Sebi Gibbs 2-29, Emily Wilson 2-59 and Liam Gardner 2-2 all 8 overs each, were Sandford’s main wicket-takers. 

Sandford’s response was quite woeful with only Zac Blewett (30) showing any resolve to the B&K bowling. Sandford were eventually bowled out for only 85 in 19 overs to suffer a 98-run defeat, and so lose their unbeaten start.  

This defeat dropped them to third in the league, 5 points behind leaders Filleigh. 

Ironically the thirds played their Tidball Cup T20 match against Filleigh on Sunday at Creedy Park, with an even less experienced team than they had on Saturday.  

As a result, they suffered another mauling with Filleigh cracking 187 for 7 from their 20 overs, despite a great early bowling effort from Seb Gibbs with 3-22 (4). 

Liam Gardener (41no) was the only Sandford batter to show any resistance, as an early exit from the competition was confirmed. 

This Saturday, June 15, the firsts travel to Cornwood 12.30pm start, with the seconds and thirds at Creedy Park entertaining Cornwood seconds and Devon Medics respectively – both 1pm starts. This Thursday the Development XI entertain Nomansland at Creedy Park – 6pm start. 

By Phil Matten