A NUMBER of Sandford Cricket Club’s records tumbled last weekend (August 10 and 11), with three of their batters all scoring centuries.

The Seconds were up against a weakened Brixham side at Creedy Park, and opening bats veteran Jon James with 108 (17 fours) and 16 year old Joe Hopkins 116no (12 fours) took apart the Brixham bowling with a new Second XI club record first wicket stand of 197.

Pete Steer 31 (three fours) kept the runs flowing towards an eventual total of 293 for five in their 45 overs.

In reply Brixham made a worthy effort by replying with 221 for nine before time ran out. Pete Steer 3-38 (7), Shaun Hawkins 3-42 (9) and young Ben Handley 2-19 (5) kept the visitors at bay.

However the 19 points gained, has, barring a complete meltdown, ensured survival in the C Division for next season, as they are now 33 points clear of the relegation zone with only three games left. Quite an achievement considering the awful start they made to their season.

The Thirds went bananas at Kentisbeare where they took on Bradninch and Kentisbeare Thirds, well rather Elliot Butterfield did.

Opening the batting he smashed his way to 162 off only 74 balls with 18 fours and 11 sixes.

An amazing knock, which was then backed up by 40 and 37 from 15 year olds Zak Blewett (five fours and a six) and Rhys James (three fours and three sixes) respectively, plus 33 from Stevie Lyon with the usual bish, bash and bosh 33 (three fours, two sixes). The eventual all out total of 384 in 39.5 overs was a club record score.

B and K were never able to get going as opening bowler Glyn Baker destroyed the early batting with 4-11 in six overs, backed up by Tom Harding 2-10 (4) and Jemima Verekar 3-5 (2.4 overs), and they subsequently subsided to only 58 in 16.4 overs to lose by an unimaginable 326 runs – another club record.

Whilst the Seconds and Thirds had spectacular wins, the Firsts, unfortunately, probably saw their chances of retaining the Premier Division title probably disappear for this year, as they lost by five wickets to leaders Bradninch. 

Batting first, and with the score at 170 for two with 20 odd overs left, Sandford would have been looking to have scored a good total.

They had been given a great start with Ciaran Gray 26, Lawrence Walker 25, Aryan Lakra 44 and Adam Small 43 all getting starts but not carrying on.

However, 170 for three soon became 209 all out in 44.3 overs as the Bradninch bowlers turned on the pressure, in particular skipper Gary Chappell 3-35 (8.3), well supported by Josh Farley 2-44 (8), Andy Buzza 2-30 (8) and Ross Acton 2-34 (10).

Sandford need to make early in-roads if they were to win the game, but skipper Chappell soon dispelled that theory as he and Tim Piper 23 put on 93 for the first wicket.

Mitch Pugh weighed in with a further 20 and Jonathan Triner helped finish things off with 22no. But it was Chappell who did the damage with a glorious century, 100 from 110 balls (17 fours and 2 sixes) as he guided his side to victory and probably the Divisional title for 2024.

For Sandford only Matt Jeacock 2-32 (8) and veteran Jamie Palmer 2-36 (7.5) made any headway into the Bradninch batting.

With a 26 point advantage now over Sandford, who are still in second place, a complete reverse of fortunes by Bradninch will be required for Sandford to retain their title, duly won ahead of Bradninch in 2023.

With only three weeks left, Sandford Firsts are home to Cornwood this coming Saturday for a 12.30pm start, with the Seconds and Thirds travelling to Cornwood Seconds and Devon Medics, 1pm starts respectively.

Phil Matten