SANDFORD Cricket Club had a bad day at the office last Saturday, August 17, with all three teams unfortunately losing, writes Phil Matten.

A number of unavailability's didn’t help the situation, but it was still very disappointing, especially for the Firsts as any chance of retaining the Premier Division title has effectively now been lost.

Even more disappointing was the fact that leaders Bradninch also lost and a win for our boys would have kept everything alive.

At Creedy Park, Cornwood were the visitors and they got off to a good start with Ben Privett 21 and Ryan Rickard 69 putting on 42 for the First wicket.

Rickard was the “glue” in the innings, and with other decent knocks of 39 from Matt Skeemer and 22 from Elliot Staddon, Cornwood amassed 219 all out from 48.5 overs. A not insurmountable total as long as the home batters did their jobs.

Aryan Lakra with 3-36 (10) and 4-19 (5.5) from the seldom used Lawrence Walker did their best to keep Cornwood in check.

Despite a brisk 22 from Byron Knowles (two fours, two sixes) unusually opening the batting, none of the early order reached 20, and Sandford’s day looked doomed at 126 for eight.

However, skipper Jackson Thompson wasn’t prepared to throw in the towel, and promptly shared in a 9th wicket stay of 60 with Matt Jeacock. Unfortunately one mistimed shot didn’t reach the boundary, and he was caught by his opposite number and Sandford’s hopes disappeared as JT departed for an entertaining 65 (10 fours, two sixes).

An all out total of 194 in 44.2 overs therefore saw the Firsts slip to a 25 run defeat, which was disappointing in itself, but to find out that leaders Bradninch had also lost at Bovey Tracey, exasperated the situation even more.

So with 26 points separating Sandford from Bradninch and now Exeter, who ECFC we play on Saturday, having taken over in second position, to retain the title is almost an impossibility. Ironically Exeter have ourselves and Bradninch left to play.

The Seconds travelled to Cornwood to play their Seconds with a very much weakened side, and were bowled out for only 96 in 38.2 overs.

Only Matt Theedom offered any firm resistance with 23 (four fours), and with Cornwood riding high in the league this was never going to be an issue for them, and as such they reached 97 for two in 22.5 overs.

Thankfully for the Seconds, Yelverton also suffered a heavy defeat, and Sandford now lie 29 points above them, as they are in the second relegation spot with Plymouth Seconds already doomed.

Our Seconds have to play Yelverton away in their last game, but hopefully by then they will be mathematically safe.

The Thirds made the difficult journey to second placed Devon Medics at Cranbrook, and with the score on 55 for three, it looked like an early finish could be on the cards.

However Colin Blick 97 no (15 fours) and 13 year-old Alfie Butterfield 38 no (three fours) ensured no further wickets fell in the innings, and an eventual total of 180 for three in their allotted 40 overs was a very honourable total.

The Medics kept losing wickets at regular intervals on the chase, but their experienced opening bat Vipule Mandalia stroked his way to 87 (13 fours), and in doing so guided his team to victory as they eventually reached 184 for 6 in 33.3 overs. A couple of run outs and 2–37 (eight) from young Butterfield saw Sandford take seven points from the game to maintain their mid-table position.

With two games to go it looks like all three teams will be playing for fun for the last couple of weekends.

The Firsts are away to Exeter on Saturday with a 12.30pm start, and the Seconds and Thirds at home to South Devon and Cheriton Fitzpaine respectively, both with 1pm starts.