AND just like that the 2024 Cricket season has come to an “all-too-early” end.

A season at Sandford which has seen lots of highs, and in the early part of the season quite a few lows.

The Firsts knew going into their final match against Tiverton Heathcoat, that the Premier League title they won last season had been lost to Bradninch, and congratulations to them.

However, Runners-up spot was still up for grabs, and a win would secure that position.

Batting first, Sandford took the Heathcoat bowling apart and smashed their way along to 284 for nine in their 50 overs.

A good all-round batting display with their overseas star Aryan Lakra leading the way with 54 (two sixes, nine fours) well supported throughout the order by Ryan Glass 45 (six fours), Lawrence Walker 42 (two sixes, three fours), Byron Knowles 37 (six fours) and Adam Small 31 (one six, three fours).

For Heathcoat Jamie Drew 2-34, James Boyle 2-46 and Joe Hancock 2-62 did their best to restrict the carnage.

A special mention to Heathcoat’s skipper Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings who took the “catch of the season” at Creedy Park this season to dismiss Ryan Glass with the most remarkable one handed diving catch on the long on boundary.

Heathcoat’s reply never really got going, as wickets fell steadily from the first over onwards.

They stumbled their way to 105 all out in only 26.3 overs, with only skipper Penberthy-Hutchings passing 20-27 (five fours).

Chief destroyer for the home team was young opening bowler Matt Jeacock 5-20 (6.3), ably assisted by Aryan Lakra in his final game for the club 4-26 (6), as Sandford finished in style with a maximum 20 point victory.

A good easy win to secure the Runners-Up spot, as Exeter lost to Bradninch anyhow, and all-in-all a reasonably satisfactory end to another good season in front of many of the Club’s sponsors and volunteers who were treated to a free lunch and tea by the Club.

The Seconds who had secured their C Division status last week, travelled to Yelverton, who were already relegated.

They cruised their way to a 47 run win after batting first Sandford and accruing 221-8 to gain maximum batting points, with Jon James 62, Archie Osborne 58 no and Pete Steer 34 showing the consistency in the second half of the season, that was lacking in the first half.

They then proceeded to bowl Yelverton out for 174 to attain a maximum 20 point victory, and in doing so finished a very creditable fifth position in the C Division West.

Quite remarkable considering they lost six out of their first seven matches, with the other cancelled.

A second half revival showed the togetherness of the squad well led by captain Shaun Hawkins and Vice Captain Pete Steer, and their willingness to play as a team for their Club.

Young 16 year-old Ben Handley with 6-19 was the main instigator to create the demise of the home team.

Apologies for the lack of additional information, but this was not to hand when completing this report.

The Thirds had a day off as their opponents Woodbury and Newton St Cyres Seconds conceded the game in midweek as they were unable to field a side.

The 20 points the Thirds were awarded ensured they finished fourth in their first season in the G East Division. A good effort as their team was often decimated by unavailable players for various reasons, with many being called into the Second team.

As a Club 2024 has been a good season, with a number of 15 and 16 year-olds either playing senior cricket for the first time, or gaining more experience from their experiences last year.

They showed what potential they have, and indicated their talents to look forward to next year, and hopefully for many years to come.

Finally a very big thank you to everyone who has helped the Club this year. It goes without saying the many sponsors who have stuck with us over the past 20 years or so, the volunteers who help Chris Theedom and Simon Saunders on the ground, as well as tea ladies, in particular Nicky Radnor who has looked after the Seconds and Thirds when they have been playing at Creedy Park on the same day, and finally the bar staff, who thankfully, have mainly had busy Saturdays to look after the loyal supporters who have attended home games. 

Phil Matten